Naman Shrestha
In ‘Black and Blue,’ we get acquainted with a righteous rookie policewoman named Alicia West, who is stationed in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. When she accidentally witnesses and captures the shooting death of a young drug dealer committed by two of her colleagues on her body cam, Alicia finds her life as well as her career at great risk. With the help of Milo, she stays on the run while she is falsely accused of killing the drug dealer.
Now, she must not only prove her innocence but also avoid attacks from vengeful criminals and corrupt policemen who want to destroy her body cam footage that can incriminate them. Helmed by Deon Taylor, the 2019 action-crime thriller movie features stellar performances from Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott, and Beau Knapp. Set in the criminal underbelly of New Jersey, the city’s bustling streets underscore the complications Alicia faces throughout the narrative.
Black and Blue Filming Locations
‘Black and Blue’ was filmed entirely in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. According to reports, principal photography for the thriller movie got underway around mid-January 2019 and continued for about a month and a half before wrapping up in late February of the same year. The director, Deon Taylor, was grateful for being able to work with Naomie Harris and called it an “absolute dream and a honor.” He added, “Today was the first day of our film, #Blackandblue and when, I say she killed it!!!! She killed it!!! Here’s to dreams coming true!! And appreciating moments that only God can build!”
New Orleans, Louisiana
For the purpose of filming, the cast and crew of ‘Black and Blue’ visited several spots in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shooting on location proved an ideal choice for the team, allowing them to seamlessly showcase the events in the life of Afghanistan war veteran Alicia West as she returns to her hometown of New Orleans to serve as a policewoman in the Ninth Ward. The sequences that take place inside the apartment of the drug dealers in the film were actually filmed at the former DeGaulle Manor Housing Project in the Algiers neighborhood, located at 3010 Sandra Drive. The once-packed apartment complex was vacated in 2012, and demolition work began in 2024.
A portion of the filming also took place right next to the site, particularly at Evergreen Supermarket at 3011 Sandra Drive. According to reports, the team also headed to the defunct Market Street Power Plant on the Mississippi River to tape the movie. Shooting also occurred at Lafayette Cemetery No. 2, a 2.5-acre cemetery at 2100 Washington Avenue in the Garden District neighborhood. In an interview with The Advocate, director Deon Taylor spilled the beans on some behind-the-scenes details related to filming in New Orleans. “A lot of times these studio films are angling toward a tax credit. But I, as an independent artist, pride myself on shooting movies where they belong,” he said.
Emphasizing the decision, the filmmaker expressed, “Once I came here to New Orleans, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the place.’ Visually, tonally, it really sets up the Alicia character.” To infuse the Southern charm of NOLA into the visual canvas of ‘Black and Blue,’ the director roped in acclaimed cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and together they highlighted the vibrant neighborhoods, iconic architecture, rich history, cultural relevance and lively energy. It not only added a layer of atmospheric grit to the film but also heightened the tension of the high-stakes action thriller.
He added, “The art, the jazz, the cracks in walls, the raised houses, the bridge, the sounds of boats… that entire thing captivated us. We pushed something electric from the city into every frame of the movie.” Dubbing New Orleans as “a place where you can’t fake it,” the team employed skilled technicians and actors from the local talent pool, further adding a sense of authenticity. “That really helped me adapt the screenplay to the city,” Deon Taylor concluded.
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