Moonlight director Barry Jenkins returns this year with this highly anticipated James Baldwin adaptation, If Beale Street Could Talk.
The official synopsis states:
Academy Award-winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) brings his highly anticipated next feature to the screen, an adaptation of James Baldwin’s stunning novel, If Beale Street Could Talk. In early 1970’s Harlem, Tish, a nineteen-year old girl, is in love with a young sculptor, Fonny, the father of her unborn child. When Fonny is falsely accused of rape and imprisoned, Tish and their families race to clear his name before the baby is born.
A story about love persisting in the face of racial oppression and injustice, Jenkins brings together a talented young cast which includes Stephan James (Selma, Race) as Fonny and newcomer Kiki Layne as Tish.
The film also stars Pedro Pascal (Narcos), Ed Skrein (Deadpool) and Brian Tyree Henry once more, and looks set to be both a sharp social commentary and a tearjerker.
Once more bringing the black experience to screen with grace and skill, Jenkins epitomises why diverse creators are key to solving the representation problem in Hollywood.
If Beale Street Could Talk plays at London Film Festival next month, and releases in the UK on January 18th 2019.