About me: **Winner of the NY Loves Film Best Documentary Award, Tribeca Film Festival, New York 2008**
**Winner of the Audience Choice Award, International Black DocuFest, Atlanta 2008**
ZONED IN, 90 mins, directed & produced by Daniela Zanzotto.
From the Bronx to the Ivy League and back again. Nine years in one extraordinary life.
You're starting your teen years; two older brothers in prison, father at 15, close to being a high school drop-out and then an incredible journey starts. Over the course of nine years, director Daniela Zanzotto accompanies a young Black man, Daniel Nartey, on a path that takes him from a South Bronx public high school to an elite Rhode Island Ivy league University and back again as he discovers himself and his life's purpose. It is a compelling tale of survival, ambition, achievement, disillusionment, and ultimately a tempered sense of success and fulfillment.
"You always get taught you got to escape. That in order for me to achieve anything I must get away from everybody else that's been like me."
A stark portrait of disenfranchisement as well as a personal journey of discovery, ZONED IN offers the absolute gift of Daniel himself, a rare mix of charismatic and entirely natural story-telling given to thoughtful self-questioning and reassessment of his identity and priorities. His voiceover talks us through the trials and tribulations of his education and personal life accompanied by a music track by turns subdued and propulsive. The dynamic moving camera captures the drive, the trepidation, the nervous energy of not only Daniel but also the South Bronx that defined and transformed him as a high school student. The film is a fascinating combination of first-person voiceover, direct address, fly-on-the-wall observation, and snatches of life on the streets of the Bronx as well as the paved paths of Brown.
"The Bronx inspired me, and I felt the need to inspire it."
Music supervision by Create Fresh. Original score composed by Christopher Grande Jr (Insight).
Contact details for director/producer Daniela: danielazanzotto@gmail.com
this was an email response from an audience member (june 18, 2008):
"I wanted to let you know how moved I was by Daniel's story last night! I wanted to stay for the Q & A but we were meeting people after and had to run out. I thought it was a great addition to the Juneteenth events and really inspirational! I was so glad that I went, Daniel really is an amazing person. His perspective throughout the whole thing was so interesting, it was like he had survivor's guilt for being allowed so much, but he worked for it and completely deserved it.
The film really validated the idea that you can learn from people at all ages. You just have to listen."
peace fam. thanks for brightening our entire week of events with your presence.
First of all thank you for your dedication on following this project through, It hits close to home for some including myself. The film is astounding and it really needs to be picked up and be seen by the masses.
"Zoned In" blew us away. The movie takes you in right from the first frame. You feel part of Daniel's life, and root for him and his family. It's heart wrenching and captivating. The soundtrack is one of the best I have heard in a long time. The music is fresh and adds to the depth of the film without overpowering it. I was very happy to see the film just won the NY LOVE award- truly well deserved! I hope to see this film gets picked up and goes into major distribution! It is a story that needed telling, and has a very hopeful and positive message that goes across the board in life. Statisticts aren't everything, our lives outcomes aren't predetermined by our circumstances, whatever they are.
In response to the question about dvd availability, we're working on it! As soon as it is available, we'll post it on here and let you know how to get hold of a copy. Thanks for asking!
Congradulations on the much deserved award! ZONED IN is an inspiring film and will no doubt prove to be one of the most important documentaries made in a long time. Everyone, all over, should be given a chance to see it!
it was a pleasure to have experienced and watched the world premier with you and everyone i saw that night. i really enjoyed the film very much also CONGRATS on "Best Documentary" Award
this film was incredible. thank you so much for sharing your story and giving voice to what so many of us feel.
I was at the premier last night supporting my friend of over 20 years, Insight, who composed the original music. Thank you so much for allowing us to share this experience.
I'm definitely going on Wed, April 30th with a bunch of friends and probably a few days later, as well. Such a great film - Lucky for us, the premiere is in NY!
the doc was fresh. had a good time wit u and the fam! tell regina thx 4 me again. hopefully adande (sp?) will get crump next time! lol til then... peace and blessings bruh, j
