The event took place last night, Saturday, January 12th at a private residence in the Hollywood Hills. Both screenings were hosted by Brad Pitt with a reception between screenings.
Attendees from the film included Writer and Director Barry Jenkins, Cast members KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Brian Tyree Henry, Colman Domingo, Finn Wittrock, Michael Beach, Producers Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Cinematographer James Laxton, Composer Nicholas Britell, Editor Joi McMillon, costume designer Caroline Eselin, Hair department head Kenneth Walker.
Missing is award-winning co-star of the film, Regina King, who is on a winning streak as she nabbed Best Supporting Actress at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Notable guests included Timothée Chalamet, Catherine Hardwicke, John Ridley, Maria Conchita Alonso, Diane Warren, Shamier Anderson, Beth Grant, Sarunas J. Jackson.
Set in early-1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (screen newcomer KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Through the unique intimacy and power of cinema, If Beale Street Could Talk honors the author’s prescient words and imagery, charting the emotional currents navigated in an unforgiving and racially biased world as the filmmaker poetically crosses time frames to show how love and humanity endure.
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writer: Barry Jenkins
Producers: Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Sara Murphy, Jeremy Kleiner, Dede Gardner
Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Beach, Ed Skrein, Diego Luna, Dave Franco, Pedro Pascal
Now playing in theaters.