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Ex-criminal's chance in Hollywood
Cheryl Gallagher and Ellen Widdup20 Nov 2009
A FORMER drug dealer from Hackney told today how he has been offered the chance to write and direct a film in Hollywood.
Darren Raymond, 27, took up acting while in Pentonville Prison for firearms offences, drug trafficking and money laundering from May 2004 to November 2006.
When he was released he wrote three plays and a short film, Shoot And Score, which was shortlisted for the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles last year.
This impressed British production company Black and White Pictures, which has asked him to fly to LA in January to work on Brooklyn Fare, a film about a mobster growing up and getting into gang fights in the Seventies.
After joining a drama course run by the London Shakespeare Workshop at Pentonville, Mr Raymond performed extracts from Othello at the William Poel Festival in the Theatre Royal while on day release. He took the lead role on tour after serving his sentence.
Mr Raymond said: "When I think about what my life was like five years ago and what I'm doing today, it's incredible." He now lives in Knightsbridge with his fiancée and their two daughters, aged three and 16 months.
His latest play, Wasted, is at the Intermission Theatre in St Saviour's Church, Walton Place, Chelsea.
Reader views (6)
All power to the guy,and maybe he can at some future stage in his life, give a leg up to some-one else going down the wrong road.I would though ask the question, how would he be able to get into the states just thinking about the drugs offence, maybe its who you know, and why not the bourgeois do it all the time.
- Wayne M Gleave, Warrington Cheshire England, 09/12/2009 09:26
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I think Mr Raymond's efforts to turn his life around should be applauded. He served his sentence for his crimes, and his actions show that he is remorseful for them.
If he is not given a fair opportunity to show that he has been rehabilitated, then what message will that send to others who are trying to turn their lives around.
I congratulate him on his achievements and wish him all the best for the future.
- Jeremy Cedenio, Berkshire, England, 04/12/2009 10:54
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The author of this article appears to have taken the wrong focus of this story.
I feel this is a brilliant example of someone who has turned their life around. It is laudible that Mr Raymond is saving young lives through the voluntary work he is doing through the Youth Theatre who would have otherwise taken the wrong path.
This is extremely encouraging! Well done!
- Ms Janine Frederick, Surrey, 24/11/2009 14:29
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I thought they wouldn't let you into the States with a criminal conviction.
- A. Wright-Burke, W8, London, W8, 23/11/2009 10:10
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Usually if you got anything much more than a parking ticket the Americans won't let you in. Be interesting to see if he can get in with the crimes listed on his CV.
- Mark, South-East London, 23/11/2009 09:36
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Scumbag. Any compensation from him for the lives he has destroyed?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 20/11/2009 13:35
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