When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story is a 2017 American biographical crime drama film based on a true story directed by Tasha Smith in her directorial debut, and written by Cas Sigers-Beedles. The film stars Lil Mama as Falicia Blakely, a 16-year-old teen mom who becomes stripper, and pimp and predator, Dino (played by Lance Gross).[1] On August. 15, 2002, Blakely and Dino robbed and killed two men — Claudell Christmas and Raymond Goodwin, and the next day, killed Lemetrius Twitty, after picking him up in a club. The duo were arrested after a week-long run and eventually pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Blakely is serving three life sentences without parole in a Georgia prison.[2] Blakely is the first and youngest woman to ever be considered for the death penalty in Georgia.

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story
Directed byTasha Smith
Written byCas Sigers-Beedles
Produced by
  • Tasha Smith
  • Cas Sigers-Beedles
  • James Seppelfrick
  • James Seppelfrick
  • David Eubanks
Starring
CinematographyBruce Francis Cole
Edited byDante Wyatt
Production
company
Distributed byTV One
Release dates
  • June 15, 2017 (2017-06-15) (American Black Film Festival)
  • August 28, 2017 (2017-08-28) (U.S.)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

It premiered at the 2017 American Black Film Festival on June 15, 2017.[3] It later premiered on TV One on August 28, 2017.[4][5] The film received positive reviews from critics and two nominations at the 49th NAACP Image Awards.

Cast

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Reception

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The film received positive reviews for performances of Lil Mama, Gross, and Roman and Smith' directing.[6][7] The film became the highest-rated original movie in the history of the TV One, according to the network.[7] At the 49th NAACP Image Awards, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story was nominated for a Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special, and Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special (Cas Sigers-Beedles).[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Director says 'When Love Kills' examines 'humanity' of murderous stripper". August 18, 2017.
  2. ^ "6 Things To Know About The Real Falicia Blakely". Essence. October 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "TV One & Tasha Smith Present When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story at the American Black Film Festival". Mogul.
  4. ^ Lundy, Kadeem (August 28, 2017). "Exclusive: Tasha Smith Talks About TV One's 'When Love Kills' The Falicia Blakely Story".
  5. ^ "'When Love Kills' Debuts On TV One". August 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Manns, Keydra (August 28, 2017). "TV Review: 'When Love Kills'".
  7. ^ a b "The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News". Blavity News & Entertainment.
  8. ^ Staff, T. H. R. (November 20, 2017). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Marshall,' 'Get Out,' 'Girls Trip' Dominate Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter.
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