Lemon (2011)

In the gritty recesses of Brooklyn's Puerto Rican community, Lemon Andersen, a three-time felon turned Tony Award winner, wages a relentless battle to escape the clutches of his drug-afflicted past. Born to parents ensnared by narcotics and AIDS, Lemon's raw upbringing is as unfiltered as his poetry, garnered at the tender age of 20. His past, a fiery crucible of hardship, fuels his creative prowess, catapulting him to the hallowed halls of Broadway where he shines in Russell Simmons' production of Def Poetry Jam, earning a coveted Tony. However, the fleeting seduction of fame and the evanescent allure of wealth prove as transient as a summer squall. Lemon finds himself ensnared once more in the teeming projects, sharing his dwelling with thirteen family members and a desperation brewing like a storm. With nothing but his pen and the harrowing narrative of his life to cling onto, Lemon dares to dream again. Over three intense years, he embarks on a quest to resurrect his career at the prestigious Public Theater in New York City, navigating the treacherous currents of the theater community while waging a ceaseless war against his past demons. The entrance of renowned filmmaker Spike Lee as the producer of his show rekindles a glimmer of hope in Lemon's worn-out heart. This may be the redemption he yearns for, the salvation that has long eluded him. His story, underscored by the pulsating rhythms of Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Aloe Blacc, transcends his own journey. It echoes the anguish of countless men teetering on the brink of society, their hearts aflame with the hope of a better life. 'Lemon' is more than a tale of survival; it is a ballad of resilience, a testament to the indomitable human spirit that thrives amidst adversity.

Lemon is a documentary movie featuring Lemon Andersen and directed by Beth Levison.

It is possible to buy Lemon on Amazon Video and Apple TV.