O is a 2001 American drama film, and a loose modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello. The film's intended release date was April 1999, but due to the Columbine High School massacre, the film was shelved for two years by its original distributor, Miramax Films. Ultimately, it was sold along with director Kevin Smith's film Dogma to Lionsgate. It was directed by Tim Blake Nelson and written by Brad Kaaya. It contains many different styles of music, ranging from rap to opera. It was filmed in Charleston, South Carolina. Told in a contemporary high school setting, Othello is now Odin... James , star of the basketball team and the school's only African American student. Desdemona is Desi , the dean's daughter and Odin's girlfriend. Iago is Hugo , the coach's steroid-addicted son, who plants seeds of doubt that fester in Odin's mind, leading them all to a violent fate. Roderigo is Roger , Hugo's best friend, a rich but troubled student who wants to go out with Desi. Cassio is Michael Cassio , another basketball player and a close friend to both Odin and Desi.
more
| Release date: | August 31, 2001 |
| Directed by: | Tim Blake Nelson |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 95 Minutes |
| Producer: | Anthony Rhulen |
| Music by: | Jeff Danna |
| Screenplay by: | Brad Kaaya |
| Estimated budget: | $5,000,000 |
| Adapted from: | Othello |