''Bellyfruit'' (also spelled ''Belly Fruit'') is a 1999 American

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

about

teen pregnancy Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female adolescent or young adult under the age of 20. This includes those who are Legal adult, legally considered adults in their country. The WHO defines adolescence as the ...

directed and co-written by

Kerri Green Kerri Lee Green (born ) is an American actress, best known for her roles in ''The Goonies'' (1985), ''Summer Rental'' (1985), and '' Lucas'' (1986). She also co-wrote and directed the film ''Bellyfruit'' (1999). Early life Green grew up in Wo ...

. The film is the first feature film released by

The Asylum The Asylum is an American independent film company and distributor that focuses on producing low-budget, direct-to-video films. It is notorious for producing titles that capitalize on productions by major studios, often using film titles and sc ...

Overview

''Bellyfruit'' is an adaptation of an original stage play of the same title which premiered at the Los Angeles Theatre Center on March 16, 1996. The play is a culmination of written works and theatrical performances developed from the stories of the women from Ramona High School and the Pacoima Young Mothers writing program. Playing the roles of the teen mothers in the original stage production of ''Bellyfruit'' were actresses Bonnie Dickensen,

Tanya Wright Tanya Patrice Wright is an American entrepreneur, actress and author. Born and raised in South Bronx, NY, she studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College, and after her graduation, she went on to be offered her first main-line acting gig: T ...

Jude Herrera Jude Herrera is an American actress. She began her career in theater and made her onscreen debut in the CBS television movie, ''Blue Rodeo'' (1996), with Ann-Margret and Kris Kristofferson. Filmography Film Television Stage *''End Town'' ( ...

, and Patrice Pitman Quinn. The stage play was produced by Independent Women Artists and performed as a benefit for Gramercy Group Homes in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. It was also directed by

, and was written by Green, Maria Bernhard, Susannah Blinkoff, and Janet Borrus.

Cast

Kelly Vint Castro Kelly Boone Vint-Castro (born March 19, 1982) is an American actress, commercial print model, and personal relationship coach. The daughter of actors Alan Vint and Susan Mullen, she began working as an actress at an early age and was a SAG memb ...

as Christina * Tonatzin Mondragon as Aracely * T.E. Russell as Damon *

Michael Peña Michael Anthony Peña (; ; born January 13, 1976) is an American actor. He has starred in many films, including ''Crash'' (2004), ''World Trade Center'' (2006), ''Shooter'' (2007), ''Observe and Report'' (2009), ''Tower Heist'' (2011), '' Battle: ...

as Oscar * James DuMont as Lou * Melody Garrett as Doctor * Ruben Madera as Eddie * Luis Chávez as Enrique * Jeremy John Wells as Joe

Reception

''Variety'' found that the film is "a sympathetic portrait of the girls that, thankfully, remains free of sentiment. But surprisingly, it’s Pena’s understated performance that resonates the most. “Bellyfruit,” mounted first as a play, has a gritty look and feel that serve its material well."

References

External links

* * * (rating 2.5/5) 1999 drama films 1999 independent films 1999 films The Asylum films American drama films 1999 directorial debut films 1990s English-language films American independent films Films set in Los Angeles American films based on plays Teenage pregnancy in film 1990s American films English-language drama films {{indie-drama-film-stub