"Black Cloud" to premiere in Lawrence on March 31

March 15, 2005 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAWRENCE, Kan. – "Black Cloud," a film written, directed and co-produced by actor Rick Schroder, will premiere at Lawrence’s Liberty Hall on March 31 at 7 p.m. Schroder will attend the event and lead a Q&A session following the screening. Tickets can be purchased at the Liberty Hall box office.

"Black Cloud" tells the moving story of a talented, young, Native American boxer who discovers his place in the world through the boxing ring. Lawrence was selected in part as a premiere location because it is home to Haskell Indian Nations University and its proximity to several reservations. Schroder, who began his film career opposite Jon Voight in "The Champ," has most recently been seen on NYPD Blue, in which he starred for three years.

Black Cloud, played by Eddie Spears, is a spirited young man who is offered an opportunity to fight his way on to the Olympic Boxing Team. Black Cloud declines the offer, wanting to fight only for the Navajo Nation. His life course is thrown a curve when it is revealed to him that he has mixed blood. The discovery sets off a chain of events that leads him on a journey of self discovery.

In addition to Eddie Spears in the title role, the film stars Schroder, Russell Means, Julia Jones, Tim McGraw, Peter Greene, Wayne Knight, Tim Sampson and “Pooch” Marion Hall.

Schroder wrote the story after reading about a Navajo coach who had conquered his own alcoholism and was helping young people overcome addictions and violence through boxing. The film has been met with critical acclaim and won three top honors at the Phoenix Film Festival.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.