If Beale Street Could Talk (film)
If Beale Street Could Talk is a 2018 American romantic drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins and based on James Baldwin's 1974 novel of the same name. It stars an ensemble cast that includes KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, and Regina King. The film follows a young woman who, with her family's support, seeks to clear the name of her wrongly charged lover and prove his innocence before the birth of their child.
Author James Baldwin
Regina King's performance received widespread critical acclaim and earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Barry Jenkins is an American filmmaker. After making his filmmaking debut with the short film My Josephine (2003), he directed his first feature film Medicine for Melancholy (2008) for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature. He is also a member of The Chopstars collective as a creative collaborator.
Barry Jenkins
Jenkins at a Q&A for Medicine for Melancholy at the Northwest Film Forum in 2009
Donald Trump's election inspired Jenkins to go forward with The Underground Railroad, after Moonlight's success opened up new avenues.