Sweetwater
Hall of Famer, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton, makes history as the first African American to sign an NBA contract, forever changing the game of basketball. In the fall of 1950, a majority of the NBA team owners vote to keep the league “white” triggering an emotional inner battle that brings New York Knicks head coach Joe Lapchick and owner of the New York Knicks Ned Irish together to break barriers and make history. The story follows Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, a Globetrotter and the best “unknown” basketball player of that era, navigating through tough times and changing the game of basketball forever when he becomes a New York Knick.
A powerful and dangerous war of politics ensues when Boston Celtic owner Walter Brown shocks the sports world and drafts Duquesne African American star Chuck Cooper. In a dramatic turn of events, Washington Capitols owner Bones McKinney drafts African American player Earl Lloyd from American University. A cutthroat and competitive race ensues to see which player will become the first black basketball player to walk onto an NBA court- the “Jackie Robinson” of basketball. The triumph of the human spirit that would open doors inspiring the innovative play of iconic greats Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Connie Hawkins, Julius Irving, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the brilliant stars of today’s great global game of basketball.
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Martin GuiguiDirectorThe Bronx Bull, 9/11, Beneath The Darkness
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Martin GuiguiWriterThe Bronx Bull, 9/11, The Unhealer
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Tim MooreProducerMillion Dollar Baby, Invictus, The Mule, Sully, American Sniper, Mystic River
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Everett OsborneKey Cast"Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton"
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Cary ElwesKey Cast"Ned Irish"The Princess Bride, Men In Tights, Saw
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Jeremy PivenKey Cast"Joe Lapchick"Entourage, Serendipity
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Kevin PollakKey Cast"Abe Saperstein"The Usual Suspects, A Few Good Men, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
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Richard DreyfussKey Cast"Maurice Podoloff"Jaws, Mr. Holland's Opus, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl
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Eric RobertsKey Cast"Judd"The Expendables, The Dark Knight, Runaway Train
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Robert Ri'chardKey Cast"Pop"Coach Carter, One on One, House Of wax
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Project Type:Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 58 minutes
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Completion Date:January 2, 2023
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Production Budget:8 USD
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Country of Origin:United States, United States
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Country of Filming:United States, United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:2:35
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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London Director AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
February 16, 2024
Best American Director -
Big Apple Film FestivalNew York City
United States
November 3, 2023
Special Jury Award -
Ferrara Film FestivalFerrara
Italy
September 16, 2023
European Premiere
Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Music
Distribution Information
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Angel StudiosDistributorCountry: United StatesRights: All Rights
Martin Guigui is an award-winning Filmmaker, Music Director, Producer, and Composer. Guigui has directed, written, and produced Feature Films, Music Videos, composed music for film and TV, worked on 150+ productions, produced over 50 music albums, tours, and Music Directs high profile Broadcast Concerts including the popular “Guitar Legends” and “America Salutes You” TV Specials. Most recently Guigui wrote and directed the award-winning film “Sweetwater”. Guigui is Co-Founder and President of Sunset Pictures and Sunset Entertainment. Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, son of renown Orchestra Conductor Maestro Efrain Guigui, Martin had an eclectic upbringing in New York City, Puerto Rico and Vermont. A music prodigy playing Violin at age four, his concert debut at age 12, now an accomplished Pianist and Keyboard player.
As a Filmmaker Guigui has worked with Stars and Icons of the Entertainment industry including Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Dennis Quaid, Faye Dunaway, Charlie Sheen, and many more. As a Music Director/Producer Guigui has shared the stage, recorded, and performed with music legends including Billy Gibbons, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Clint Black, Gary Clark Jr, Travis Tritt, Brad Paisley, Lizzo, Peter Frampton, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Dustin Lynch, Daryl Hall, Stephen Stills, Keb Mo, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Lemmy Kilmister, Slash, Smokey Robinson, David Byrne, Michelle Williams, James Cotton, Doobie Brothers, The Cars, Belinda Carlisle, Sammy Hagar, Dave Navarro, Salt-N-Pepa, Jimmie Vaughan, George Thorogood, Kenny Loggins, Sheila E, Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Joe Bonamassa, Larkin Poe, Jose Feliciano, Sam Moore, Sara Evans, Chris Janson, Walker Hayes, Southside Johnny, Grace Potter, Phish, Yolanda Adams, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Blind Boys Of Alabama, Robert Randolph, Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Richie Sambora, Joan Osborne, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Jake Owen, The Gatlin Brothers, NRBQ, Bo Diddley, Steve Forbert, Bret Michaels, Billy Ray Cyrus, Julio Iglesias Jr, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Maddie & Tae, Maxi Priest, Vernon Reid, Lauren Alaina, Orianthi, Chrissy Metz, Haley Reinhart.
Guigui has won numerous “Best Director” Awards, Grammy nominated, NAACP IMAGE Award, Billboard Awards, ASCAP Awards, United Nations Award, Golden Spirit Award, twice honored by the City Of Los Angeles for artistic contributions to music education, Martin produces and music directs broadcast shows for Veteran causes, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, and Endangered Species. Guigui helped organize and Music Directed the iconic “One America” Concert Event hosted by 5 U.S. Presidents raising $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief. Martin is a contributing author to the book “After Shock” (50th anniversary of “Future Shock”). Guigui was a standout High School basketball player and still passionately enjoys the game having played in the NBA Entertainment League with the likes of Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Kevin Hart.
"Sweetwater" is my longtime passion project, 28 years in the making, now manifested, it is an indescribable feeling to share it with hearts and souls around the world.