The title of the movie has already sparked buzz, but “Dear White People” is catching the attention of many since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18th.
The film follows a group of black students at the fictional Winchester University, a predominately white ivy-league institution. Things turn sour for the institution after an “unleash your inner Negro” themed party that erupts into a riot and leaves the students divided.
Four black characters are spotlighted. Samantha White, portrayed by Tessa Thompson, is the head of the school’s black residence hall and a fiery activist known for being outspoken on her controversial radio show “Dear White People.” Brandon P. Bell depicts Troy Fairbanks is a popular student on campus who happens to be the dean’s son (played by Dennis Haysbert).
“Everybody Hates Chris” actor Tyler James Williams plays an athletic black nerd who secretly writes about black culture for the school’s newspaper. Teyonah Parris fills the shoes of “Coco Conners,” a reality-starlet wannabe that feeds off the tension between the black and white students on campus.
Social media is largely to thank for the movie’s continuing publicity, with more than 1,000 followers on Twitter and more than 56,000 likes on Facebook.
Stay tuned, and make sure to buy a ticket when “Dear White People” hits theaters on October 17th.