Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Patrik-Ian Polk’s coming-of-age film, “Blackbird” will be released in theaters nationwide on April 24. The news was announced this week by Urban Movie Channel’s creator and BET founder, Robert Johnson.
“I am very excited to bring ‘Blackbird’ to theaters and to UMC,” said Johnson, adding, “’Blackbird’ is in line with my vision for UMC to bring together the African American/urban production and talent community with a distribution channel dedicated to showcasing and supporting their creative works. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mo’Nique since early in her career as a comedian and her appearances on BET, and I know and admire Isaiah’s work as both an actor and a producer. I am certain that audiences will enjoy the inspirational storyline and powerful performances by this extraordinary cast.”
As previously reported, Blackbird follows Randy (Julian Walker), a talented teenage singer and aspiring actor who’s struggling with religion, sexuality, a troubled home life and other high school woes in a small Southern Baptist town. It’s a journey that ultimately leads to him to love and acceptance. Blackbird is based on Larry Duplechan‘s 1986 book of the same name.
Blackbird features Isaiah Washington as Randy’s father Lance and Mo’Nique as his overly religious mother, Claire. The Oscar winning-actress also served as one of the film’s executive producers along with her husband, Sidney Hicks. Rounding out the cast is Terrell Tilford, Gary L. Gray, Kevin Allesee, Torrey Laamar, Nikki Jane, Terry Henry and former Danity Kane singer, D. Woods.
Check out the new poster and trailer below and click here to see photos from last year’s ATL Premiere:
[vimeo id=”119244495″ width=”600″ height=”350″]
Photo Credits: IndieWire.com
