Rosewood is a 1997 film directed by John Singleton. While based on historic events of the 1923 Rosewood massacre in Florida, the film introduces fictional characters and changes from historic accounts. It stars Ving Rhames as a man who travels to the town and becomes a witness. The supporting cast includes Don Cheadle as Sylvester, who also becomes a witness to the riot, and Jon Voight as a white store owner who lives in a village near Rosewood. The three characters become entangled in an attempt to save people from racist whites attacking the blacks of Rosewood.
Due to its scenes of violence, assault, and sex, and profuse use of racial slurs and curses, the film received an Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating of R. It was favorably reviewed by many critics, more than any John Singleton film since Boyz n the Hood. The film was not a commercial success and it was unable to recoup its $30 million budget at the box office. The film departs from what is known, especially in the portrayal of the number of fatalities. In another example of changes, the Ving Rhames' character fights a white mob with pistols; this did not happen. The siege of the Carrier house did take
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