“Get Out The Way” a Film Co-Starring Bobby Brown Will Premiere at The Hollywood Black Film Festival

Updated: October. 28 2011

“Get Out The Way”, a film edited at The Hive, will have its US premiere closing out The Hollywood Black Film Festival

Bobby Brown plays himself in indy movie launched at Montreal Black film festival

By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL — There was a time when Bobby Brown says playing himself on the big screen would have been tough.

Best known as the ex-husband of pop sensation Whitney Houston, Brown’s troubles with drug and alcohol abuse have been well documented as was his 14 year tumultuous marriage to Houston.

But at the Montreal premiere of a short film where he plays himself, the American R&B singer and songwriter said portraying himself is easier now that he’s in a better place in life.

“It’s really easy for me to be able to smile today, six years clean and everything’s going well for me and I’m happy, engaged and life is just great,” Brown said.

“And to be a part of something like this is even better.”

“Get Out The Way” is the story of a dogged, young R&B star named B-Live, short on talent but obsessed with hitting the big time and being given the run around by his idol — Bobby Brown.

He proceeds to stalk Brown in an attempt to become a celebrity.

The film premiered Wednesday at the seventh annual Montreal International Black Film Festival with Brown in attendance.

The 60-minute short movie is truly a family affair — written and produced by his brother-in-law to be, Justin Etheredge — who plays the lead role.

Brown’s fiancee, Alicia Etheredge, was also involved in producing the movie. The couple have a 2 1/2 year-old son named Cassius.

Etheredge, a little-known filmmaker, made a short version of the same movie a few years ago.

“No one was putting me in any films so I thought to put myself in my own,” said Etheredge. “So I wrote, picked up a camera, read and researched … and this is how this project came to be.”

The movie marks yet another milestone for Brown, who has managed to put his life back together.

He has released a solo album recently and has remained busy on tour with Heads of State — a project that includes members of the wildly popular R&B supergroup New Edition with which he starred in the 1980s.

Brown says a reunion tour is in the works to mark the 30th anniversary of New Edition sometime next year. He said he finds his creativity is flowing in recent years.

“You drive to want to perfect your craft and give people the best you can possibly give,” Brown said.

“I still practice on a daily basis to stay cutting edge and stay ready for anything.”

Brown, 42, has been performing since he was 14. It’s not his first foray into movies but he said it was a pleasure to work with his future brother-in-law.

“He asked me to be a part but I think he’s just talented,” Brown said.

The movie was filmed on-and-off over a two-year span as Brown toured the country. A short version of the film initially appeared a few years ago.

“I love acting, I’ve been in eight films now, I love it,” Brown said.

“It’s a form of entertainment and if I call myself an entertainer and want to consider myself one, then I have to cover the spectrum.”

Brown wouldn’t rule out acting in the future although he didn’t say if he was actively seeking out roles.

“I just want to be a part of entertaining for the duration of my life,” he said.