Lynne Stoltz : It was inspired by a young man who was killed here in Toronto on a foot bridge that divides two neighborhoods , exactly as we did in the film . Once we thought about it and walked the bridge , there ’ s a much bigger story to tell . The story was these young men were making decisions in life based on many things , but when you looked at everyone making the decisions , whether it was the shooter , or the best friend , they all had fears , and they acted out of fear . We tried to tell the story without making judgment . Danny Glover said Sons 2 The Grave was understanding to all involved . Of course , you don ’ t think the shooter is an upstanding person , but we gave understanding as to why he actually did the shooting , and why he didn ’ t just stay home . We tried to give the reasons for that .
U . G . Digital Mag : What has been the biggest learning experience in putting this film together ?
Lynne Stoltz : I believe I have to say in the beginning , early on , when I would go to this certain neighborhood and walk the neighborhood with people , hearing many things that happened , my reaction was always why don ’ t people speak up . When you go to these neighborhoods , and you see the struggle and how we as a city tend to forget that side , if I had to live there everyday and make my life work through all these struggles , I might not be as ready to stand up and open my mouth and say something . I would keep my head down , go home at night , and lock my door . I lost all judgment . I understand it ’ s not as easy to say why does someone leave their child at home , or not have a babysitter . It ’ s because they can ’ t afford a babysitter and they have two jobs . The reality of the neighborhood hit me , and I realized I wasn ’ t doing enough either . We are our brothers ’ keepers , and we have a responsibility , no matter what side of the bridge we are on . You can ’ t blame either side for your circumstances . You take whatever opportunities are there and run with them . But I learned that we don ’ t do enough because it ’ s convenient for us . well . We do so many things that there ’ s lots of room .
U . G . Digital Mag : That ’ s amazing . I love the fact that you bless so many people with opportunities .
Lynne Stoltz : I have a loyalty toward helping the hometown . I ’ m proud to be a Canadian writer and filmmaker . I want to do a lot more in Toronto . We ’ re going to do the series , and go from there .
U . G . Digital Mag : Are there any words of encouragement that you like to offer ?
Lynne Stoltz : I think if you love to do something , keep the faith , keep going , and keep trying . Remember the no ’ s don ’ t count . It ’ s only the yes . We got many no ’ s . We got so many . This took many years . Once you have that opportunity , you work as hard as you can as long as you can , and be grateful . Listen and always remember you can always learn something . +
U . G . Digital Mag : In what ways do you see Have Faith Productions helping budding talent ?
Lynne Stoltz : We look at everyone that comes to us , or every agent . If we shoot in Toronto , for instance , the series will also have American actors . When we shoot somewhere else , if there ’ s a Canadian actor I feel strongly about , I will bring them with us . We will be shooting in Chicago and maybe Cleveland , as well as Atlanta .
U . G . Digital Mag : Uh oh . Cleveland .
Lynne Stoltz : I know . There ’ s a Cleveland story that we ’ re looking at . If you ’ re right for the role , and want to be a part of this , I have no problem with that .
U . G . Digital Mag : Oh , I need an agent now . Lynne Stoltz : You just come to us James . U . G . Digital Mag : I ’ m holding you to that now . Lynne Stoltz : You can hold me to that .
U . G . Digital Mag : It ’ s funny because I have my hand in so many things , and I ’ ve given it thought , but I also want to be serious about things , and people spend their entire lives working for that .
Lynne Stoltz : Some people are just natural . Many of the actors we use in Sons 2 The Grave , if they are willing , we will use them as