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Albert and Allen Hughes

Biography
Albert and Allen Hughes were born on April 1, 1972 in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of nine they and their mother moved to Pomona, California.  At the age of twelve their mother gave them a video camera.

This sparked an interest for the boys and they began making short films. Soon their short films began showing up on public access television, and one of them, titled “The Drive By”, was seen by an agent who found and signed them.

Their filmmaking career started with directing music videos. The brothers filmed videos for such hip hop artists as Digital Underground, Tupac, and Tone Loc. With money earned from their short career, they co-produced their first feature length film, Menace II Society.  The film was premiered at Cannes Film Festival and was amazingly well received.

The Hughes brothers spilt their responsibilities half and half, with Albert dealing with most cinematography and set issues and Allen dealing more with the actors and financial issues.  They actually received a waiver from the Director’s Guild of America to take co-credit for film direction, which is rare.  They have created their own production company named Underworld Entertainment. They also started their own record label, Underworld Records, after being financially manipulated on the Menace II Society soundtrack.

The Hughes brothers say that they want to be known as filmmakers that are black, not black filmmakers. The fact that they are involved with almost every aspect of their films is setting them up for a very promising future.  Their depth of talent has already been proven with project diversity, though a certain Hughes brothers signature of raw energy and grittiness has been imprinted on everything they’ve done.

“We're not out to make positive films, or preach and propagandize to the Black community. It's limiting.”

Films

Menace II Society (1993)

Dead Presidents (1995)

American Pimp (1999)

From Hell (2001)

New York, I Love You (2009)

Hughes Brother’s Top Box Office and Business Information

From Hell: $31,598,308 ($35,000,000 budget)

Dead Presidents: $24,120,194 (approx. $10 million budget)

Menace II Society: $27,731,527  ($3,500,000 budget)

American Pimp: $287,724 ($650,000 budget)