With films generally aimed at the smart indie crowd – “Trance,” “Stoker,” “The Way Way Back,” “The East” are just a few released in 2013 — it’s easy to box in Fox Searchlight as mini major film studio aimed 20-something white college kids with disposable income but the studio is actually branching out this year. The romantic comedy “Baggage Claim” starring Paula Patton will be the first African-American-aimed release of the year for the studio in September and arriving two months later will be the musical drama, “Black Nativity.”
Based on a half-century-old Langston Hughes stage production, “Black Nativity” hopes to join the likes of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” as something like a holiday tradition. Starring Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson and Tyrese Gibson, the film is actually lead by newcomer Jacob Latimore. The movie centers on a young displaced black teen who spends Christmas with the grandparents he’s never met. Here’s the official synopsis.
In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ celebrated play, the holiday musical drama BLACK NATIVITY follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with his new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.
Sold? Well, you can decide for yourself as the first teaser trailer for the film arrived today and can be seen below. Directed by Kasi Lemmons (the critically acclaimed “Eve’s Bayou” and 2007’s “Talk To Me” starring Don Cheadle), “Black Nativity” will be released on November 27.