Freaky Tales, directed by Ryan Fleck, opens April 4 and is set in Oakland during the 1980s. The anthology film intertwines four stories inspired by the director's upbringing in the Bay Area, highlighting local culture and history. Fleck aimed to shoot in iconic locations, emphasizing a connection to his childhood experiences. Drawing from real events, such as the brawl at Gilman and the rise of Too $hort, the film blends nostalgia with social commentary, celebrating Oakland's vibrant past while reflecting on its complexities.
Fleck knew he wanted the film to include the era when Sleepy Floyd played for the Warriors and the legendary night when punks at Gilman fought off against neo-Nazis. "That's how the chapters started coming to life," he said.
"Once we're making a movie in Oakland, that is a love letter to Oakland, to the places I remember going to as a kid. If we're going to shoot there, we better shoot in those places that I remember, and hopefully, other people remember them too," Fleck said.
The film takes its name from a track on Too $hort's classic 1987 album, Born to Mack. Fleck expresses deep appreciation for Too $hort's influence and his local roots.
"I became a filmmaker at some point, and I was like, Anna [Boden], we should make a movie called Freaky Tales one day. I would picture versions of it over the years, and they were, to be fair, too conventional," Fleck said.
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