It was a mildly strange move. Indie powerhouse A24 Films bust into Sundance with a handful of movies that were going to take the festival by storm with. Presumably, they release them too. Instead, A24 sold the critically-acclaimed “Native Son“—an adaption of Richard Wright‘s seminal 1940 novel—to HBO Films. But one supposes that a) A24 knows what they’re doing b) so does HBO Films and c) A24 has struck out and made a lot of deals lately (Apple, DirecTV) for others to distribute their films.
READ MORE: ‘Native Son’ Sadly Proves Its Still Relevant 80 Years After Publication [Sundance Review]
Today, it was announced today by Len Amato, president, HBO Films that “Native Son” will debut SATURDAY, APRIL 6 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO, Directed by first-time director and renowned visual artist Rashid Johnson from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (“Topdog/Underdog”), “Native Son” had its world premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival (our review).
The movie stars Ashton Sanders from “Moonlight,” Will Dalton and Margaret Qualley. Co-starring is Nick Robinson, KiKi Layne, Elizabeth Marvel, David Alan Grier, and Sanaa Lathan.
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Here’s the official synopsis:
NATIVE SON tells the story of Bigger Thomas (Ashton Sanders), a young African-American living in Chicago who is hired as a chauffeur for affluent businessman Will Dalton (Bill Camp, Emmy®-nominee for HBO’s “The Night Of”). As Thomas enters this seductive new world of money and power — including a precarious relationship with Dalton’s daughter, Mary (Margaret Qualley, HBO’s “The Leftovers”) — he faces unforeseen choices and perilous circumstances that will alter the course of his life forever. The cast also includes Nick Robinson, KiKi Layne, Elizabeth Marvel, David Alan Grier, and Sanaa Lathan.
HBO Films did well with the Sundance film “The Tale” which garnered several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, so perhaps the thinking is the cable channel can find similar success here. Either way, “Native Son” is on the way and on the way soon. Check out the teaser trailer below.