There are two sides to every story and then there is the truth. The real-life tale of Avon “Bodie” Barksdale, former drug kingpin of Baltimore, was interloped into HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire by ex-journalist and author David Simon. Ed Burns, the show’s co-producer and Simon’s creative partner, drew from his own experiences as a detective to illustrate Barksdale from the law enforcement perspective. Now that the television-writing duo have told their sides, only the truth remains and who better to recall it than Mr. Barksdale himself? As well-crafted and gripping as The Wire was, the real Avon doesn’t feel as if the show did him justice. So he’s setting the record straight with The Avon Barksdale Story: Legends Of The Unwired, to be released March 10th on DVD and distributed by E1 Music. Wood Harris, the actor who portrayed Barksdale on The Wire, narrates this intense, straight-no-chaser documentary.
It’s only fitting that a fellow certified O.G. participate in Barksdale’s film endeavor. Chaz Williams – of Black Hand Entertainment and BET American Gangster fame – is Avon’s good friend, business consultant and associate producer for Legends Of The Unwired. So when I met with Avon “Bodie” Barksdale for a Q&A session, Williams sat vigilantly in the background, spiking the convo with his commentary. Soak up some game.
TSS: Why are you putting this DVD out?
Avon Barksdale: There are two or three reasons why I’m putting this out, but the main reason is I wanted my story to be told by me. I wanted you and everybody else that buys this to get it straight from me. I can add some clarity to it.
TSS: Did you feel that The Wire did you justice with its portrayal?
Barksdale: No, I don’t.
TSS: Then why did you get Wood Harris (who portrayed Barksdale on The Wire) to narrate the movie?
Barksdale: Because I agreed with Wood Harris and the way he portrayed me. I agreed with him being chosen as the actor to represent me. And he done a pretty good job, especially with him not being a guy that’s from my neighborhood. Even down to the vernacular, he spoke like us and everything.
TSS: They took what they perceive as your story and put it on TV. Do you feel as if that’s a form of snitchin’ on their part?
Barksdale: I wasn’t worried about that because of the way that they approached me. I wasn’t worried about people perceiving it as snitching because for one, I didn’t give them any information. Nobody came to me and did what you’re doing now, interviewing me. David Simon worked for a local newspaper called the Baltimore Sun and he was a court reporter. Not once did he ever come and interview me like you’re doing. I give props to journalists who do what you’re doing and actually do journalism. The way that they did it, they told me, “We’re gonna do this anyway, with or without you.”
TSS: They have the right to do that?
Barksdale: Well, I didn’t think they did, but it takes a lot to fight that type of… that’s literally fighting Hollywood and everything that comes with it. I was just out of the joint. I was actually still in the joint when they first approached me. But the way they approached me; they approached me and told me, “Look, this is a matter of public record.” Right? One guy, Ed Burns, he wasn’t the arresting officer but he is the investigating officer. He’s at the top and he sent the other ones to arrest me. You’re really gonna have to buy (the DVD) so that you can understand more because that would be an hour, explaining all of that to you. Nah, I didn’t feel like the really did me any justice. I felt like Wood done the role justice because he’s a good actor. He’s the shit, y’know? We kind of favor. I felt like he done well and that’s why when I got ready to do mine, I chose Wood actually. There was another guy I could’ve chose.
TSS: How have the streets of Baltimore changed from the time you were out there doing your thing until now? Read the rest of this entry »
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