Fox says film shows Buffalo's heart

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The queen city is once again shining in the silver screen spotlight with some real Hollywood star power.

Vivica Fox is excited to be making an independent in film in Buffalo, working with Buffalo filmmaker Peter McGennis, and Buffalo co-producer Suzi McGowan. This is a movie that promises to bring out the heart and soul of our city.

Fox said, "How ya doin'? Love Buffalo."

She really seems to mean it because "Queen City" is a movie about real people and real-life survival. Fox told News about her character "Lady Midnight."

Fox said, "I play a jazz singer that all the locals come to and the police. It's a place where everybody comes to and release."

It's set in Buffalo in the late 1970's early 80's and there are characters.

"We have cops. We have politicians, jazz singers, a couple of ladies of the night are mixed in there. So it's a wonderful melting pot, but it's real," said Fox.

Filmmaker Peter McGennis said, "Evoking the spirit of some things that you might normally get with four Super Bowls, chicken wings, and blizzard jokes."

It's a story told in large part through the Buffalo jazz and blues scene three decades ago. Places like the Little Harlem and the Colored Musicians Club.

Co-producer Suzi McGowan said, "Buffalo's soul definitely comes through, absolutely in the music and the people, for sure."

But there is intrigue. Two cops are involved in the plot and there's a murder.

Fox said, "One of the gentlemen that I was his love interest, he gets murdered, and I am a very important part in revealing the people that did it."

McGennis said, "If anything, there's beauty in kind of the decay that's kind of a bend, but don't break feel, which I kind of like as opposed to a negative connotation."

Fox told News 4 this film will again send out the message that you can come to Buffalo and get a film done with great local talent, including extras and the crew.

>>>Want to hear more from Vivica Fox and the director? Check out Rich Newberg's full interviews here