Sprinter, a production facilitated by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith is set to be screened in London this weekend.
Receiving a special screening at BFI London as part of their African Odyssey programme, giving Londoners an exclusive insight into the film. A q&a with a panel including the on and off screen minds behind this film as well as the one of the UK’s wisest – Akala, is set to follow the film.
Written and Directed by Storm Saulter (Better Mus Come), the film’s features both new and well versed talents including including Dale Elliott, Kadeem Wilson (Ghett’ A Life), Dennis Titus (The Mighty Quinn), Shantol Jackson (Yardie), Bryshere Y. Gray (Empire, The New Edition Story), with Lorraine Toussaint (Selma, Orange Is The New Black), and David Alan Grier (The Cool Kids, The Carmichael Show, In Living Color).
Executive produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and released via their production company Overbrook Entertainment, Sprinter has already gone onto win big at the American Black Film festival.
The movie explores Jamaican diaspora, a theme many in the UK and worldwide can relate to. Set in Jamaica, young sprinter Akeem Sharp (played by Dale Elliot) possesses a once-in-a-generation speed that lines him up to be Jamaica’s next superstar athlete.
Akeem sees sprinting as his ticket out of Jamaica and into reconciliation with his mother in the states. This tale watches Akeem or “The Rasta Rocket’s” story unfold as he struggles with a violent father & troublesome brother. A raw but real that resonates and on some scale is a reflection of many’s reality.
Check out the trailer above.