Understanding Bosco’s Journey
Bosco’s story Chasin’ Freedum, now an original feature with the title Bosco, was released this February 2nd exclusively on Peacock. From an early age, Bosco had to overcome adversity. His journey is one of personal transformation and tremendous drive. Growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood, he was surrounded by crime and poverty. After being sentenced to 35 years in prison on a marijuana charge, Quawntay “Bosco” Adams escaped from a federal maximum-security prison on a singularly focused mission to be present for the birth of his daughter. Although he is repeatedly re-captured, his story doesn’t end there. Eventually dropping his appointed counsel to risk it all on defending himself, Bosco made it out of his sentence for good just in time to be present for the second half of the film’s production.
The Power of Family & Fatherhood
Bosco’s story exemplifies the power of family and community support to balance the qualities of self-advocacy and determination. One of the most significant factors in Bosco’s transformation was the support of his mom. Vivica A. Fox, who plays Willa, says of her character, “My scenes are the heart of the film. You see all the things that kind of led Bosco astray. I lost my son to the streets at a young age, but we loved each other, and I stayed in his life. I gave him some sound advice that I think helped turn his life around.”
His mom’s belief in him may have given him the grounding he needed, but it was the will to see the birth of his daughter that really fueled his determination. At the premiere, he and his daughter entered locked arm in arm, beaming with mutual pride. “My daughter made me a better person,” Bosco began. “She’s made life a lot easier for me. Made me a little bit more humble, made me practice patience and how to be a little bit more tender and sensitive because I came out of prison a stone cold, hard type of guy, and she softened me up a little bit.” The smiles on their faces revealed the truth in words, and their reunification was an outcome of his decade-long pilgrimage toward justice.
“Quawntay was actually behind bars when we started the process. We sent letters, and then he came home in July, and we started filming in November, and he was able to be on set with us and give Aubrey and everyone else all the energy, all the stories, everything across the board. Then, we helped him get custody of his daughter. We’re trying to make not only a movie but also something that has an impact. And now we’re joined at the hip, like family.” – Darryl C. Scott,
Producer of Bosco.
The original book is now being re-released by Top Talent Publishing, and one of the publicists, Jessica Sheehan, who is close to Adams, says he has an incredible heart. She echoes the previous sentiment that “escaping out of prison again, again, was really about the love of his daughter and to break the cycle that he grew up in.”
Inspiring The Cast and Crew
Bosco’s redemption not only impacted his own life but also inspired those around him. As he began to achieve success in onboarding Director Nicholas Manuel Pino for the adaptation of his story to a feature film, Bosco became a symbol of hope for others who had been in or had family in similar circumstances, including Executive Producer Robert Bernard, who expressed that he grew up around the same areas as Bosco and watched his mom face wrongful incarceration. Bernard believes that in addition to showcasing Bosco’s personal story, the film can create a platform for a larger conversation around criminal justice and how the system should work for people, not against them.
Through his relentless pursuit of justice and increasing public appearances, Bosco became a source of inspiration for countless individuals and was able to attract a stellar cast, including Aubrey Joseph as Bosco, Nikki Blonsky as Tammy, and Tyrese Gibson as Tootie. His authenticity and vulnerability resonated with people from all walks of life, reminding them that anything is possible, regardless of one’s background or circumstances. Joseph says of playing the lead, “This isn’t a regular story. Bosco is a one-of-a-kind individual. And he felt like he did exactly what he needed to do to see the birth of his daughter.”
Bosco’s story became a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of family, whether chosen or by blood. He has already inspired many others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. His story served as a reminder that personal growth is not a linear process and that setbacks are merely stepping stones toward success. Bosco’s ability to overcome adversity and his unwavering determination became a source of motivation for individuals facing their own challenges.
Ripples of Support
Bosco’s story served to propel him towards success and has inspired many others to become involved along the way, including many well-known producers and musicians who took part in creating the dual album soundtrack, including The Game, Snoop Dogg, Eastside K-Boy, and Allie McIntosh.
Many who attended the premier recognized the significance of both family and music in their own journeys of personal transformation. Whether it is the lyrics, the beat, the collaboration, the love, the escape, or the inspiration that music provides, it can many times be the catalyst that propels us towards a deeper connection with ourselves and others. Many times, through the combination of the story and the music, everyone in the production becomes one big family.
“The fact that we made this independent film and we’re here tonight is just awesome. It’s really a family. A lot of the big names that showed up and did it did it as a labor of love. I am such a huge supporter of independent filmmakers. This is what this is about, being a person with a big name, to give back so that you get financing, distribution, and fabulous screening parties like tonight.” – Vivica A. Fox.
By embracing the power of community as one big, united family, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and find the strength to transform ourselves into the best versions of who we can be.
You can learn more about the movie and its cast members at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17633634/.
“Bosco” is now streaming on Peacock.
Jenny Carrington is a dancer, writer, philosopher, and yogi. After successfully walking across the United States from Delaware to California (over 3,000 miles), she now focuses on social activism.
