Maurice Benard has portrayed Sonny Corinthos, the mob boss who rules the family in Port Charles on “General Hospital” for more than 25 years. In the film “Equal Standard,” however, Benard will be playing a vastly different character. The film is set for a VOD (Video on Demand) release on Thursday, May 14.
Directed by Brendan Kyle Cochrane from a script by producer Taheim Bryan, “Equal Standard” follows everyday life in New York City where race, rank, loss and betrayal take center stage when NYPD Detective Chris Jones (played by “One Life to Live” alum Tobias Truvillion; ex-Vincent Jones) is shot by one of his own during a dustup in front of a local bodega. The story escalates as tensions rise between cops and the communities they are supposed to protect and serve hit an impasse. For minority groups living in the city, looking for justice in a world where persecution based on skin color is the norm and the ability to fight back, united, and seeking equal opportunity is frowned upon, the battle continues when the outcome is determined with life or death remaining the only options. Ice-T (“Law & Order: SVU”) also stars.
Look for Benard to play Captain Chavat Issak, Jones’ superior who in the trailer tells his officers, “Keep your eyes open. Not everybody’s in favor of the turnout.” He says this after he’s confronted by the demanding father of the officer who shot Jones. Jones is later shown returning to the precinct after recovering from his injury and coming face-to-face with the police captain.
“‘Equal Standard’ will not only take you through the storm, it will show you that racism is only a mental chain – a chain that can and will be broken in spite of insecurities, beliefs or differences,” reads a synopsis of the film which is highlighted by the famous quote by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., wherein he says, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“Equal Standard” is set for a VOD release beginning Thursday, May 14, the film’s producers recently announced. For more information, visit equalstandardmovie.com.
“Everybody watch this film,” Benard said of the upcoming release.
Watch the full trailer below.
For those wondering, the song played in the trailer is “Love Myself” by Blest Jones featuring Dev Divine.