Emeka Egbuonu

Ambitions of the Deprived chronicles the lives of four teenage friends as they experience life through a lens of contradiction, conflicts and struggles for space and identity. Refusing to be limited by the stereotypical expectations of society due to their race, age and social status they pledge to rise above their circumstances and succeed against the odds. At the crux of adulthood they have high aspirations and great motivation for careers in teaching, law and the Olympics. Their destitute area, violent gang members and a local murder uproot their plans when one of the boys, Junior becomes unwittingly caught up in the crime. His innocence is of little importance when the trial tarnishes him with the same brush as the perpetrators.

Family in disbelief, friends in uproar, community in protest the effect is widespread. As the pressure mounts ambitions are put on hold, friendships are tested and loyalties broken. Unless the trial can be infiltrated, labels will continue to criminalise and the truth will be lost forever…