While Sundance held the spotlight for many new talents to break through this year, their jury gave writer-director-producer Justin Simien top honors in the category for his latest film, Dear White People. Set in a fictitious Ivy League university, the film skewers the preconceptions of race in the modern era and how both sides of the coin can negatively reinforce stereotypes, and today the first teaser has arrived.
We said in our review, “The strength of the film is its razor-sharp dialogue brimming with quick-fire humor that would make Kevin Smith smile. Simien is a natural at creating flowing conversations that punch with intelligence and wit, but are also funny and entertaining.” Ahead of an October release, check out the first teaser below, which highlights some of these well-crafted exchanges.
Update: Watch the full trailer below.
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE follows the stories of four black students at an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over a popular “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film will explore racial identity in “post-racial” America while weaving a universal story of forging one’s unique path in the world.
Dear White People, starring Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, and Brandon Bell, opens on October 17th.