"Freaky Tales" film focusing on 1987 Oakland has special screening event
The Grand Lake Theater in Oakland turned into Hollywood for a night, for the special red carpet showing of "Freaky Tales."
The Town shows off its beauty and uniqueness on the silver screen.
Stars of the movie and the man that put Oakland on the map with his music rapper Too Short talked about the film.
"What was I doing in 87? I was just about to blow the f*** up," said Too Short.
It was 1987, when Too Short was selling his 4th album from the trunk of his car. Freaky Tales was on that album.
"I was of age when this movie takes place," he said. "It's very nostalgic to how I feel about Oakland and our relationships with other groups of people. Way before this movie was made, I would tell them never underestimate the people of Oakland."
Too Short being one of them, and the sports teams of Oakland that most often played the role of the underdog. The movie is about when music, sports and racial conflicts collide in the Town. One of the main characters portrays former Warrior, Sleepy Floyd.
"To have my name associated with a project like this," said Floyd. "To be centered around my character, I'm blown away. I had no idea this was coming."
Too Short is part of the movie, but his role his mostly played by Bay Area native Symba. Symba said he looked up to Too Short from a young age.
"We grew up mocking his mannerisms," said Symba. "What are some of his mannerisms? The cool *** walk. You gonna always see him come through with that cool walk. He's always going to give you a cool stride to follow that's Uncle Short right there."
D'Angelo Mixon was also in the film, playing the role of mixtape kid. His mom was there to celebrate this big moment for a kid born and raised in East Oakland.
"Actually they're over there recording me," said Mixon. "How has it been at school? I haven't told anybody so nobody knows about this."
The movie will be in theaters on April 4. While it focuses on 1987, there are themes that will carry over to current day Oakland.
"The message in the movie that I got was it's always good to see the underdog achieve," said Short.
