Henson to star in big-screen sports drama

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Production of the sports drama "From the Rough," starring Taraji P. Henson, is to begin in New Orleans this October, Gyre Entertainment said.

The movie is based on the remarkable true story of the first female head coach of an NCAA Division One men's golf team, Dr. Catana Starks at Tennessee State University.

Henson plays the fictional character Cassandra Turner who represents Starks in the film. Turner is a female coach at a historically black college/university who faces an uphill battle as she attempts to establish the school's first men's golf team, the movie's producers said.

"The extraordinary film explores one's ability to transform life's rough circumstances into distinct advantages," director/producer Pierre Bagley said. "It confronts issues of race, gender, class, and cultural barriers in ways that are provocative, and sometimes hilarious."

"We are thrilled to be filming this wonderful film in New Orleans," Executive Producer Michael J. Critelli said. "Like the lead character of our movie, the people of this robust city show great resiliency as they continue to recover from Hurricane Katrina. We hope to showcase New Orleans' character and natural beauty throughout the production."