Cover includes a casts with the likes of Aunjanue Ellis, Raz Adoti, Leon, Lou Gossett Jr., Paula Jai Parker, Clayton Prince, Vivica Fox, Maya, Clifton Davis , Patti Labelle and Tomorrow Montgomery just to name a few. The film will premiere at the Pearl Theater in Philadelphia March 14, 2008 by popular demand. Philadelphia Producer Keith Mungen will be producing an open discussion dealing with relationships and the often taboo subject of the DL and HIV in the black community with the cast for WYBE. 
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Valerie Maas (Aunjanue Ellis) has everything she could ever hope for, a beautiful daughter (Tomorrow Montgomery), a handsome successful husband Dutch Maas (Raz Adoti) and a new home in Philadelphia. With her marriage, stability and now her freedom at stake, Valerie Maas tells a tale of shocking proportion

Never before had I been to a screening of a movie that was so provocative where the audience stood up amongst strangers and gave testimony of how a film portrayed their lives or gave them the courage to free themselves of secrets and hurt.  These testimonies are becoming the norm at showings of the film across the U.S.

Sulaiman Rahman  CEO of www.urbanphilly.com, Dr. Maurice Henderson and Emanuel Stanley (Disease Investigator for the City of Philadelphia)  were part of what they are calling for a harder approach in educating African-Americans  of the dangers and reality of the of HIV and AIDS. “This is a movement in educating our people,” says Dr. Maurice Henderson. The renowned speaker hosted an earlier screening at the Prince Theater in Philadelphia, where one of the movie attendees stood up, visibly shaken and crying. He had been living this exact lifestyle and had put his family at risk. He told us of how his wife found out about his double life. Although, he was fortunate to not have contracted HIV or pass it on to his unsuspecting wife, he remorsefully voiced his regret in his decisions of being dishonest in the first place.

The leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25- is AIDS, Some still don’t know that the acronym stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

“This threat to be handled by religious, social, political and entertainment outlets. We have to come together. As a disease investigator, there is a misconception of how it is contracted. Oral sex is still sex. Young people have bought into some of the music today. By the end of most songs on the radio, they have stripped you down, but the fallout are the consequences such as HIV and AIDS. Our youth are not getting the other end of the angle, don’t tell the kids the other end of the angle, disease, pregnancy”, says Stanley

Raising awareness in a time when statistics show that HIV is on the rise in cities all across the U.S. The effects are devastating lives, changing the dynamics and the face of HIV.  Risqué behavior, deceit and a carefree attitude toward disease can be blamed for much of the numbers that have caused the HIV epidemic to reach an all-time high.

Actor Leon is no stranger to controversy as he was depicted as Black Jesus in Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” music video. This movie veteran has  portrayed Temptations legendary singer David Ruffin,  Rock N’ Roll’s Little Richard,  an array of Television  (Oz, Crossing Jordan ) and movie roles (Get Rich Or Die Trying) and stage plays such as Friends and Lovers and more recently Three Ways to Get A Husband  as Devon Warren, just to name a few. This versatile actor/song writer and crooner was asked to be a part of the movie Cover as Ryan Chambers.

CENTER STAGE: It’s refreshing to see you in this film. How did you land this role, as your character is so controversial?
LEON: Bill Duke and I share the same management and he wanted me to add my own flair to the movie. The message the movie sends was enough for me to want to do it. It wasn’t just acting; it was about my persona and what I could bring to the role.

CENTER STAGE: Ryan Chambers was heartless and his mind state was something else.
It is interesting because what people need to realize is that there are individuals like that out in this world. Your portrayal was very believable.
LEON: That is the point to bring forth that awareness.

CENTER STAGE: There were a lot of “Ooh’s and Aah’s” every time your character did something shocking or showed up on the screen. Is this something that you are used to now?
LEON:  I won’t say that… I’m not Hollywood, I’m in the business, but I’m Leon. I live in New York. I live a normal life. I have been blessed and I am grateful.

CENTER STAGE: What’s your favorite role? 
LEON: I don’t have one. Whatever role I am playing at that moment, I become. I put all of my concentration on that. It doesn’t matter if I am playing a singer, killer or lover.   www.coverthemovie.com

Kamah Alicia Scott
Freelance writer
www.kas.mysite.com
"Kima"
Always ask, somebody might say yes
www.myspace.com/urbanbookwriter

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