EXCLUSIVE: BET+‘s Sundance Film Festival acquisition Young.Wild.Free. has dropped its official trailer (above) ahead of its streaming premiere on June 27. The feature starring Sanaa Lathan, Mike Epps, Algee Smith and Sierra Capri is directed by Thembi L. Banks.
Young.Wild.Free. follows Algee Smith (Brandon Huffman), a hot-tempered high school senior whose claustrophobic life is suddenly thrust into an enticing, dangerous direction after he’s robbed at gunpoint by the girl of his dreams, Cassidy (Sierra Capri).
Being a teenager is rough and Brandon is no different. Between struggling in school, caring for his two younger siblings, and having just been let go from his job, he often uses his art as an escape from the confines of his subdued day-to-day life. Enter Cassidy, a bedazzled bad girl dripping in confidence, freedom, and danger. Lured in by her whimsies, Brandon teams up with Cassidy, seamlessly slipping into the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they make their way down an increasingly perilous path.
Related Stories
Lathan stars as Janice Huffman, Brandon’s mother who is trying to balance her mental health struggles and being a mother of three. Lamont, played by Mike Epps, is the father of Janice’s youngest two children and has a strained relationship with Brandon.
“Starting out in the theater, one of the joys of acting to me is to really transform. I love playing the romantic lead, the ingenue, but sometimes the juiciest fun that you can have is really creating a character that’s very, very different from yourself; this film was the perfect opportunity to do that. Janice’s plight is the plight of so many women in America,” Lathan tells Deadline in a statement.
“This film is about young love and as a fan of coming-of-stories, this is the kind of film I would’ve wanted to experience as a young Black girl. I love the contrast of imperfection and beauty that is displayed by Brandon’s family and I believe there is something in this story for everyone, that is not only relatable but also inspiring,” Banks shared.
Of working with Banks, Lathan touted the importance of “supporting young Black directors, especially women.” She added, “I was excited once I met with Thembi to hear her vision. She’s a true artist.”
Written by Juel Taylor (Creed II) and co-writer Tony Rettenmaier, Young.Wild.Free. is produced by Confluential Films’ Tommy Oliver, MACRO Studios’ Charles D. King, James Lopez, Poppy Hanks, No Label Productions’ Baron Davis and Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd. Byrd also cast the film. Codie Elaine Oliver, Charlotte Koh, Prince Baggett, Jo Henriquez, Mark R. Wright, Jenna Cavelle, Tony Rettenmeier, Juel Taylor, Thembi L. Banks and Sanaa Lathan serve as executive producers.
Watch the trailer in full above.