'Jasper Jones' Trailer: Australia's 'Stand By Me'

We’re in that weird pause between the end of summer releases and the onslaught of the fall festival season, so it’s a pretty good time to look and see what offerings there are abroad. And one movie that’s piqued our curiosity is “Jasper Jones.”

Described as Australia’s “Stand By Me,” based on the best-seller by Craig Silvey, and starring Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving, Levi Miller and Angourie Rice, the story follows a 14-year-old who takes on solving a mysterious murder when his friend discovers a dead body. Here’s the official synopsis:

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JASPER JONES is a coming-of-age story, set in rural Australia, about Charlie Bucktin, a 14-year-old bookish boy. On the night that Jasper Jones, the town’s mixed race outcast, shows him the dead body of young Laura Wishart, Charlie’s life is changed forever. Entrusted with this secret and believing Jasper to be innocent, Charlie embarks on a dangerous journey to find the true killer. Set over the scorching summer holidays of 1969, Charlie defeats the local racists, faces the breakup of his parents and falls head over heels in love as he discovers what it means to be truly courageous.

“Jasper Jones” opened in Australia earlier this year and hits U.K. cinemas soon. No word on a U.S. release date.