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Len Bias Movie Promoted at Sundance

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Guerilla marketing tactics pay off for a group of Washington filmmakers.

By Nancy Doyle Palmer Published Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Moviemakers often turn to gimmicks to generate some buzz, but sometimes it’s done the old-fashioned way. Predawn darkness and freezing temperatures at the Sundance Film Festival didn’t stop a group of Washington filmmakers from making the rounds with their posters declaring LEN BIAS: THE LEGEND YOU KNOW, THE STORY YOU DIDN'T.

The film wasn’t opening at Sundance—it wasn’t even finished. But director Kirk Fraser and producers Sammy Steward and Kali McIver, along with their writer, cameraman, friends, and lawyer (“to make the deals or get us out of jail”) blitzed the snowy Utah village full of film executives and distributors with posters and DVDs. It worked. They’re now talking to major distributors about making their Len Bias movie widely available.

Fraser used similar guerilla-marketing tactics to distribute his DVD about the life of DC drug lord Rayful Edmond two years ago and has greater expectations for this documentary about the legendary University of Maryland basketball star who died from a cocaine overdose just 48 hours after being drafted in the first round by the Boston Celtics in June 1986. The shock waves created by Bias’s death were deep and long-lasting—because of not only an outpouring of grief in DC and Boston but the resulting changes in college athletic policies. Bias’s death also spurred legislation for more severe mandatory sentencing guidelines for first-time drug users.

The film promises to provide new accounts from witnesses to Bias’s actions that fatal night as well as lengthy interviews with friends, family, and fans who help present a fuller picture of a young athlete destined for stardom.

“We’re trying to tell an honest story and paint a true picture,” says Steward. “It wasn’t a secret what happened; it’s known all over the world.” Director Fraser is quick to add that there’s more to Bias’s story than drugs. One motivation for making the film was Fraser’s realization that many young people today don’t know who Len Bias was. “It’s important to educate,” he says, explaining that being a father himself helps to keep him focused on the lessons of Bias’s life.

A dramatic feature film is slated to follow the documentary, and Kirk has shown the first drafts to Bias’s mother, Lonise, a public advocate for drug awareness. “Her blessing is on this project,” he says. “His death is still affecting people’s lives today.”

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I believe that Len’s story is important for everyone to hear. Why some people may think that this story only affects black people I don’t know. Why some may say it should be told from a black perspective I don’t know. All I know is that this is a universal story that everyone should learn from.

Posted by: Chris, Oct 11, 2008 08:03:39 PM

To Kirk Fraser, keep your head up and stay in the game. I just love to see black people doing productive things in society, especially things that young black people see and immulate. I went to U of M with Lenny, Terry, and others and was crushed at the news and footage. Like most youth during that time, I was naive at the fact that first time users can die. Then to hear on the news that his younger brother was shot and killed at P.G. Plaza?! Imagine a mother’s grief. One positive thing that came out of Lennie’s death was that all of America became educated overnight about the misconception that "it’s OK to take just one hit". With the national attention it brought, Mrs. Lonise’s grief also educated America about how drug use and gun use is ravaging the black community. This is a story that really needed to be told and told from a black perspective. In addition to performing your craft, you’ve played a very large part in educating America’s black youth about these dangers through mass media. Keep working your mojo, Black Man.

Posted by: Shelly from Portsmouth, VA, Sep 29, 2008 01:51:08 PM

The most amazing athlete in my life..I cried like a baby that fateful Thursday morning June 19, 1986 and 22 years later I still tear up at the thought of my first athletic hero..A man who I watched from a skinny freshman benchwarmer to undisputed player of the year (yeah, I know, Walter Berry stole the award)..I was fortunate enough to have played a pickup game outside of Byrd with Leonard..A (then) chubby 14 year old sitting watching as my dad was visiting with his friend who was one of the assistant football coaches..They were short a player and guess who got in the game..I don’t even honestly remember if I even touched the ball more than twice and didn’t DARE shoot..

I say to this day "it was like fielding grounders from Mantle"..

I could care less if it is Leni Reifenstahl, making the film, I can’t WAIT to see it..I always felt Leonard was my little secret, then to watch him take off for the whole world, then to see him forgotten, and now finally remembered..Now I am that 38 year old that will always still look up to the 22 year old..

I was wearing my Bias jersey in Niagara Falls Restaurant a few years back and a gentleman came up and started talking to me about Leonard and DC area basketball in the early 80s..We talked for about 45 minutes while his crew and my crew pestered us to go to our tables..

As I go to my table my older relative says "What are you doing hanging out with the coach of Niagara University basketball team"..I can’t recall his name, but what a humble kind fellow..

Posted by: Roulley, Mar 27, 2008 10:58:52 PM

I remember when I found out. I had just graduated from 8th grade and my mother woke me up the day after graduation and said Len Bias died.

I jumped out of bed and thought she was kidding. I ran downstairs and go the paper and there it was.

I hung those articles up on my closet door and didn’t take them down until we moved, 15 years later. Then Don Rodgers died 8 days later, it had a profound effect on me as a kid. I’ve never done drugs because of it, scared the you know what out of me.

Posted by: matt, Mar 24, 2008 12:33:44 PM

I never heard of Led Bias until today in my class. He was very young and must have been such a good player if compared to Micheal Jordan. I just feel bad for his parents who have losted both of their sons, to either drugs or guns. I would just like to see this made into a well produced film. This film would probably become a hit.

Thank for Listening. :-)

Posted by: J.B , Mar 11, 2008 05:37:34 PM

Does anyone know when this movie will be available to purchase.

Posted by: Phillip Williams, Mar 05, 2008 03:49:32 PM

I remember the morning I found out Len was dead, it felt like I lost a family member. It just so happened, that I was on the basketball court when I got this news. This is a much needed film. (VA.)

Thanks!!!

Posted by: JAY from VA., Mar 01, 2008 12:25:59 PM

fraser is not the filmmaker people make him out to be this guy steals stories wthout the premission of the person who the documentary is about also this guy refuses to give any payment to the people in the documentary like he said he was he is a lier making a living off stealing other people stories ( Dont Buy into this guy he steals)

Posted by: Mad Man, Feb 26, 2008 09:13:28 PM

Len Bias Movie Promoted at Sundance

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