NFB Collection
The Journey of Lesra Martin
200245 min 50 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Cheryl Foggo
Production: Selwyn JacobGraydon McCrea
Script: Cheryl Foggo
Lesra Martin was poor, illiterate and struggling on the violent streets of Brooklyn when a chance encounter with a group of Canadians shattered the confines of his life. Pulled from the chaos of the inner city and given a fresh start in Canada, Lesra became a hero when he helped to bring justice to wrongfully imprisoned American boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Finding the courage to change his own life, today Lesra is a lawyer and motivational speaker on the world stage.
Delving into the intensely personal story beneath the fame, this film brings together intimate interviews with Lesra, his family and friends. From his home in British Columbia to a poignant return to the streets of his childhood, Lesra reflects with humour and grace on the events that altered his life. He also grieves for family still consumed by the unforgiving ghetto, while inspiring viewers to find their own strength in adversity.
Subject categories
- Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism > African OriginsSocial Problems Since 1970
- Families > Family LifeNontraditional FamiliesPoverty
- Law and Crime > Portraits
- Social Issues > PovertySocial Problems
- Diversity > Black Studies
- Social Studies > Law
Credits
- director
- Cheryl Foggo
- writer
- Cheryl Foggo
- producer
- Selwyn Jacob
- editor
- Lara Mazur
- Don Paonessa
- cinematographer
- Ali Kazimi
- Mark Mackay
- Rudolf Kovanic
- composer
- Gordon Durity
- sound supervisor
- Gael MacLean
- location sound
- Eric Davies
- Michael Kennedy
- Caleb A. Mose
- production manager
- Penny Wheelwright
- Nadine Tsehaie Makonnen
- Claire Prieto
- story consultant
- Andrew Gardner
- narrator
- Claire Riley
- voice
- Neil Dennis
- production coordinator
- Leslyn Johnson
- camera assistant
- Adriano Cavina
- Jackie Ferrier
- Onno Weeda
- Mark Willis
- editing assistant
- R. Neil Thompson
- additional location sound
- Bruce Cameron
- Jonathan Ritchie
- research
- Leslyn Johnson
- Glace W. Lawrence
- archival research
- Elizabeth Klinck
- Paula Sawadsky
- stills photography
- Rosamond Norbury
- production manager trainee
- Claire Riley
- driver
- Sidney Dukes
- participant
- Lesra Martin
- Cheryl Martin
- Loriel Martin
- Leland Martin
- Rubin Carter
- Terry Swinton
- Sam Chaiton
- Mabel Alexander
- Pearline Norman
- dialogue editor
- Stephen Cheung
- sound effects editor
- Ian Emberton
- re-recording mixer
- David S. Horner
- Ian Emberton
- sound services
- Post Modern Sound
- video post production services
- Rainmaker Digital Pictures
- production clerk
- Christine Sears
- producer's assistant
- Christopher Adkins
- production supervisor
- Kathryn Lynch
- program administrator
- Bruce Hagerman
- executive producer
- Graydon McCrea
Awards
- Chris Statuette - Category: Education & Information International Film and Video Festival