ENGLEWOOD — When “Cooley High” was released in 1975, the scrappy cast and crew had no idea they were creating a coming-of-age classic.

The film follows best friends and protagonists Leroy “Preach” Jackson (Glynn Turman) and Richard “Cochise” Morris (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) who live in housing projects on Chicago’s Near North Side. Over the course of a few days in 1964, they and their pals tease gorillas at Lincoln Park Zoo, play basketball on North Clybourn Avenue, visit a diner at the corner of Elm and Larrabee streets and take part in a few brawls and police chases.

Before the weekend is over, the fate of the two friends will be irrevocably altered.

Fifty years after its release, the Chicago International Film Festival will commemorate the anniversary with a free screening 6:30 p.m. W

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