June 25, 2020
Upcoming movies have receded into the background thus far in 2020 (thanks a lot, coronavirus) but the highly-anticipated "Concrete Cowboys," filmed in Philadelphia and led by Idris Elba, is only a few months away from making its festival debut.
Elba was in Philadelphia last summer learning how to ride horseback and filming for the adaptation based on Greg Neri's novel, "Ghetto Cowboys." Now we have a first look at Elba in the movie, flanked by co-star Caleb McLaughlin of "Stranger Things."
A new look at Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin in ‘CONCRETE COWBOYS’ have been officially released. (Source: https://t.co/J5PKCaGFyr) pic.twitter.com/jZ1lN7GX21
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 25, 2020
Concrete Cowboys, directed by Ricky Staub and starring Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, Byron Powers, and Method Man will premiere at TIFF! pic.twitter.com/QlxiXtlmq3
— ✨FILM DAZE✨ (@filmdaze) June 24, 2020
Elba plays Harp, a North Philadelphia father who mentors his 15-year-old son, Cole, in the urban pastime of horseback riding at Fletcher Street Stables.
Abandoned by his mother, Cole reunites with Harp and initially shows disinterest toward horseback riding. But when he learns that the city of Philadelphia is threatening to shut down the local stable, he and Harp fight alongside their cowboy companions to preserve a piece of little-known history.
The real-life, long tradition of urban horseback riding in Philadelphia's Black communities remains strong at Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, Work to Ride and the Black Cowboys Association.
One of the locations noted in last year's shoot was a SEPTA train tunnel in Spring Garden. Elba, who was reportedly working with a speech therapist to master the Philadelphia accent, was spotted in Chestnut Hill during his time here.
Digital Spy reported the film likely will feature themes of unemployment, drug use and gentrification — issues that have affected Philadelphia's riding clubs in real life.
"Concrete Cowboys" is expected to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
