Barry Jenkins made history with his film Moonlight and now the director is set out to do it again by releasing the first trailer for his first film since winning Best Picture during the 2017 Oscars.
If Beale Street Could Talk, adapted from James Baldwin’s 1974 novel, is the story of Tish, a Harlem-born woman who’s newly engaged, newly pregnant, and trying to prove the innocence of her imprisoned lover, Fonny whose been falsely accused of rape.
The trailer of the film was released on August 2, which would have been Baldwin’s 94th birthday, seemed like the perfect time to Jenkins who revealed previously that he had actually written the screenplay back in the summer of 2013.
“For me, August 2nd has always been a day to pay tribute, so… a teaser of what’s to come.”
For me, August 2nd has always been a day to pay tribute, so… a teaser of what's to come. Happy Birthday, Jimmy ????♥️ pic.twitter.com/1Miu4jfWvg
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) August 2, 2018
According to Entertainment Weekly, Jenkins re-tapped his Moonlight cinematographer James Laxton, and with the blessing of the Baldwin Estate, Jenkins began production in October of 2017 with a cast that includes Regina King, Brian Tyree Henry (FX’s Atlanta), Colman Domingo (AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead), Michael Beach (Aquaman), Pedro Pascal (Wonder Woman 1984), Ed Skrein (Deadpool), Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story).
“James Baldwin is a man of and ahead of his time; his interrogations of the American consciousness have remained relevant to this day,” Jenkins said in a statement to EW “To translate the power of Tish and Fonny’s love to the screen in Baldwin’s image is a dream I’ve long held dear. Working alongside the Baldwin Estate, I’m excited to finally make that dream come true.”
If Beale Street Could Talk opens in theaters on Nov. 30.
Check out the trailer below.
