In an era where social and political activism toward racial injustice has spanned across the entire country, The Hate U Give’s narrative can’t help but feel relevant. Released last year to critical acclaim, the book, written by Angie Thomas, reflected public response to the deaths of individuals likes Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice. And, while discussions of police brutality and Black Lives Matter have taken place on television and social media, we have yet to see a mainstream film tackle these issues directly.
Enter the film adaptation of The Hate U Give, which unveiled its premiere trailer today. The film stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) as Starr Carter, a sixteen year-old girl whose identity is divided between her poor black neighborhood and predominantly white prep school. However, the lines between these two lifestyles are blurred one night when Starr and her friend Khalil are pulled over by the police. In an act that sadly has become all too familiar, Khalil is shot by one of the cops, sparking outrage across the community while misconceptions are used to justify his death. As the only witness to the crime, Starr must honor her friend and find her voice in the public activism grown out of his death.
In addition to Stenberg, who’s also starring in The Darkest Minds this summer, the film’s cast includes Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Algee Smith, K.J. Apa and Anthony Mackie. The Hate U Give is currently set for a release date of October 19.
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