Born in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States and nominated for a Grammy at age 21 for his work on the multi-platinum Fugees album The Score, John Forté's life has brought triumphs and adversity the likes of which few people have known. Forté was educated at the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy and then NYU, before his life changed dramatically in 2001 when he was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. But in 2008 Forté's prison sentence was remarkably commuted and he was given a second chance to share his talents with the world.
As much an inspirational concert tour as it is a personal journey, The Russian Winter follows Forté and his band for three months to Moscow and beyond, where they collaborate with local musicians, perform for a host of unlikely audiences, and learn various ways to communicate with a foreign world. As for Forté, the trip may have begun with the goal of sharing music, but in the end it is just as much about hearing and learning from the music of others.
CAST & CREDITS
Directed by Petter Ringbom
Petter Ringbom grew up on the Swedish island Gotland. After studying at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York, he partnered in the creative agency Flat. His short film May Fly screened around the world and his film collaboration with Karl Haendel, Questions for My Father, was displayed at Harris Lieberman Gallery.
Creative Producer
Dream Hampton
Editor
Petter Ringbom
Executive Producer
Christophe Charlier, John Forté
Producer
Le CASTLE
Director of Photography
Petter Ringbom, Ian McAlpin
Director
Petter Ringbom
Primary Cast
John Forté, Alina Orlova, Sunsay, Brian Satz, Victor Logachev, Artemy Troitsky, Billy Novik, Zero People, Ryan Vaughn, Patrick Firth
CONTACTS
Producer
Le CASTLE (none) Le CASTLE
c/o DLE 200 West 57th St. #1403 New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-765-5600 info@lecastle.com