Made-for-TV movie comes to Sundance

Carole Mikita reporting "Raisin in the Sun" was a hit on Broadway in 1959 and again in 2004. Now the latest cast--including Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad and John Stamos--has brought the film version to Sundance.

This is the first time a made-for-TV film has premiered at Sundance. With its success on Broadway, festival programmers told the producers it's an honor to show this film here.

In the film, Walter Younger Jr. wants a better life. Three generations live in a one-bedroom Chicago apartment. Will a $10,000 insurance check go to invest in a business, pay for medical school or buy a new house?

The cast, director and producer of the remake of "A Raisin in the Sun" have brought it to Sundance, saying this story speaks to audiences today.

"In a trailer right now in New Orleans, there's a family having the same discussion over a check they're waiting for, for $10,000 dollars for housing, so it's just as relevant today," explained Sean Combs, actor and executive producer of the film.

"When you talk about family and you talk about love, when you talk about obstacles and you talk about challenges, it's something that all human beings face. It's a very human story," actress Phylicia Rashad said.

The film shows human struggles against prejudice, as the Younger family decides to move into a white neighborhood.

"It's family. It's dreams. It's people struggling with money, you know. It's all something that everyone can relate to. Hopefully, it will resonate more this time around because people are more tolerant, I think, and hopefully people have learned tolerance and acceptance," actor John Stamos said.

Director Kenny Leon says it's incumbent upon the next generation to bring classic works to an audience. "We hope they sit down in front of the television and watch this. We hope they're moved and will be reminded of family, of faith, of dreams of hope, of how you support your neighbors," he said.

"Raisin in the Sun" will premiere on television, ABC, on Feb. 25, then go to DVD. It has two more screenings at the Sundance Film Festival: tomorrow at noon in Park City and at also tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake.

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