Forest Whitaker, Swizz Beatz and More Attend “Godfather of Harlem” New York Screening

Monday night, celebrities and influencers gathered at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the Special Screening of Godfather of Harlem, starring Forest Whitaker (Bumpy Johnson), Nigel Thatch (Malcolm X) Giancarlo Esposito (Adam Clayton Powell Jr.) and Ilfenesh Hadera (Mayme Johnson).

Godfather of Harlem is inspired by the story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson starring Forest Whitaker, who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the brutal battle, he forms an alliance with radical preacher Malcolm X played by Nigél Thatch, catching Malcolm’s political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart. Godfather of Harlem is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

The event concluded with a concert featuring Swizz Beatz and Rick Ross. Other celebrities in attendance included Dave East, Lil Mama, June Ambrose, Cuba Gooding Jr. and much more.

Godfather of Harlem will launch on EPIX and EPIX NOW September 29th, the network’s new streaming service available for download in the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV and in Google Play for Android phones and tablets.

Photo Credit: Johnny Nunez