Tigre Hill facts for kids

Tigre Hill is a filmmaker. He is known for making movies about important and sometimes difficult subjects. His first documentary, The Shame of a City, is one of his most famous works.

About Tigre Hill

Tigre Hill was born in Pittsburgh. He grew up in Wynnefield, a neighborhood in western Philadelphia. His father was a highly respected Marine officer. His mother was a well-known educator. Hill went to Episcopal Academy and Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pennsylvania). He later earned a degree in speech and communications from Temple University.

Early Film Work

Tigre Hill's first movie was called Casanova’s Demise. This film has not been released yet due to some legal issues. However, its interesting story and the famous people in it, like R&B singer Adina Howard, made many people notice Hill.

The Shame of a City Documentary

The Shame of a City is a documentary film. It helped Tigre Hill become well-known in politics. Many people believe this film helped Michael Nutter win the election for mayor of Philadelphia in 2007.

Film's Story and Impact

The film was released in 2006. It followed Sam Katz, a candidate for mayor. He tried to win against the current mayor, John Street, in 2003. This election was big news. Hill's film showed how some people supporting Mayor Street might have used tricky methods to get him re-elected. This happened even though there were problems with honesty among some of his close helpers.

The Shame of a City became a way for local leaders, reporters, and thinkers to talk about problems in the city. This discussion helped Michael Nutter. He was trying to become mayor after John Street. Nutter showed "The Shame of a City" many times to large audiences. He used it to raise money and show people the political methods of his opponents. Nutter won the primary election in May 2007. He then easily won the general election.

Film's Recognition

The film received a lot of attention from the media. Tigre Hill was interviewed on MSNBC. Philadelphia Magazine mentioned the film in several issues. The Philadelphia Inquirer also gave it good reviews. The film helped Hill become known as a serious filmmaker.

The Barrel of a Gun Documentary

In late 2006, Hill started working on another documentary. This film was about a very famous and debated court case in Philadelphia. It concerned the death of police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. It also covered the conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal. This case caused a lot of discussion around the world. Many celebrities and human rights groups supported Abu-Jamal. However, supporters of Officer Faulkner believed the truth about his death was being hidden.

Film's Perspective and Interviews

Hill's film, The Barrel of a Gun, looked at the facts of the case. It also explored the historical events that might have led to it. The film included interviews with many people involved. These included Officer Faulkner's widow, Maureen Faulkner. It also featured Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, prosecutor Joe McGill, and district attorney Lynne Abraham. Abu-Jamal's attorney, Robert Bryan, was also interviewed. Famous people like Ed Asner, Mike Farrell, Danny Glover, and Sister Helen Prejean also appeared. Other interviewees included former police commissioner Sylvester Johnson and Pam Africa. Author David Horowitz and radio host Michael Smerconish were also part of the film. Investigative journalist Gerald Posner helped with the movie's creation.

Film Release and Impact

The film's release was planned for late 2009. However, Hill announced a delay to add new information. In June 2010, it was shared that the film would premiere in September 2010. The ticket price was set at $46.99. This number represented Officer Faulkner's badge number.

In February 2014, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick shared copies of the film. He sent them to Senate offices in Washington, D.C. This was part of his efforts against a nomination for a government position. The person nominated had helped with an appeal for Abu-Jamal. The Senate ultimately rejected the nomination.

Hill also directed a music video for a song. The song was written by Extreme and Gary Cherone. It was about Officer Faulkner. The video was filmed in Philadelphia where Officer Faulkner died.

Current Projects

Tigre Hill is always working on new projects.

The Corrupt and the Dead

He is developing The Corrupt and the Dead. This is a documentary about organized crime groups in America. He is working with journalist George Anastasia and reporter Dave Schratwieser. The film will focus on how these groups affect the economy.

The Beatles Documentary

Hill was working on a documentary about journalist Larry Kane. Kane was the only reporter to travel with The Beatles on their tours in 1964 and 1965. However, in July 2014, Ron Howard announced he would make a similar documentary. Howard's film, called The Beatles: Eight Days a Week, was a bigger project. Kane and Hill decided that Howard's film was a better chance for Kane. So, they stopped their documentary. Hill received a special mention in Howard's film. This was because some of his footage of Kane was used.

Future Film Projects

Hill also announced he is writing a movie script. It will be a film about the life of Cecil B. Moore. Moore was a civil rights activist from Philadelphia. He led the fight to integrate Girard College.

In December 2020, PhillyMag.com reported on another documentary. Hill was close to finishing a film called "72 Seconds In Rittenhouse Square". This documentary is about a controversial event from 2018. It explores the case of Michael White, who claimed self-defense in a stabbing. White was found not guilty. Hill's film will detail the case, the trial, and what happened afterward. It will also look at the social differences that made the case so debated.