“A lot can happen on the corner” is the tagline for Southfield High alumnus Lawrence Jenkins’ up-and-coming film entitled “CornerStore.” 
Jenkins, who graduated in 2007, co-wrote the film, produced it and also starred in the movie as the lead character Gerard.

The film is set in Jenkins’ home town of Detroit.  It portrays the craziness of a family-owned liquor store on the hottest day of the summer.  In the midst of absurdity, Gerard has high aspirations of becoming a famous chef although his father disagrees with his decision to attend a culinary arts school in New York.

Apart from award-winning actor Roger Guenveur Smith, “CornerStore” features Southfield High senior Rashad Timmons and alumnus Cameron Jones, who graduated in 2010.  Both students were under the direction of Southfield High’s retired theater director Brenda Perryman, who was a major influence on Jenkins.

Timmons says, “My character is Leo, a teen-aged troublemaker.” Leo bullies the owner of the corner store into giving him free chips, beer and beef jerky.

“Being a part of Thespian Troupe 1509 with Brenda Perryman taught me a lot of dynamics that actors must have,” Jenkins says.  Under the direction of Perryman, Jenkins played the lead role of Walter Lee Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun,” increasing his passion for the arts.

“Corner Store” has been selected to premiere in Los Angeles during the Pan African Film Festival February 16-23.  The film will also hit select theaters May 20. It is a production of Global Pictures and Showtown Pictures.

Jenkins says he is now working on a Jamie Foxx film that he wrote and will begin to produce in a few months.