Released:
2008-09-11

Overview:
Ballou , a documentary film, follows the talented Washington, DC, Ballou Senior High School Marching Band, as they overcome their negative environment filled with guns, drugs, and violence, and uplift the community with music, dedication, and personal sacrifice. This Washington, DC, High School Marching Band--from an impoverished community just 3 miles away from the US Capitol building--is on its way to the national band competition. They are a family with heart and soul that use hard work, discipline, and compassion to overcome all obstacles. Political leaders and celebrities including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gen (ret) Colin Powell, Congressman John Lewis, Marion Barry, Denyce Graves, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chuck Brown are featured in the film to show the importance of a small marching band in the lives the band members and in the community.

Director:
Michael Patrei

Runtime:
1h 30min

Genre:
Documentary

• Cast:
• 
  Marion Barry
  as
  Himself
• 
  Chuck Brown
  as
  Himself
• 
  Lewis Franklin
  as
  Himself
• 
  Denyce Graves
  as
  Herself
• 
  Rhia Hardman
  as
  Herself