Young. Wild. Free.

Director: Thembi Banks
Screenwriters: Thembi Banks, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor

Institute History

  • 2023 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Being a teenager is rough, and Brandon (Algee Smith, 2017 African-American Film Critics Association Best Ensemble Cast winner for Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit) is no different. Between struggling in school, caring for his two younger siblings, and having just been let go from his job, Brandon often uses his art as an escape from the confines of his subdued day-to-day life. Enter Cassidy (Sierra Capri, On My Block), a bedazzled bad girl dripping in confidence, freedom, and danger. Lured in by her whimsy, Brandon teams up with Cassidy, seamlessly slipping into the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they make their way down an increasingly perilous path.

A courageous and well-crafted feature debut following her short film Baldwin Beauty (2020 Sundance Film Festival), Emmy-nominated (Only Murders in the Building) writer-director Thembi Banks’ Young. Wild. Free. draws you in and takes you along for the ride. The bold and saturated color scheme and precision cinematography combine to create a unique visual experience that elevates this relentless story of adolescence and independence.



Screening Details

Credits

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