A strong cast leads writer/director Shaka King's feature film debut, Newlyweeds (yes, that's the right spelling – not Newlyweds, but Newlyweeds), described by the filmmaker as a gritty, stoner romantic dramedy that stars Amari Cheatom and newcomer Trae Harris, in addition to Isiah Whitlock, Colman Domingo, Tonya Pinkins, Diane Neal, Adrian Martinez and Hassan Johnson.

Its synopsis reads:

Spray painted on the side of Lyle's van is a gargantuan, ejaculating, penis. This is what his community thinks of him. He is a repo man. His sole companion is his girlfriend Nina, an unemployed, capricious, dreamer who lives with her overbearing mother. When mom smells reefer on Nina's towel she gives her the boot, right into Lyle's apartment. But what should be a match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry when Nina starts to suspect that Lyle needs weeds more than he needs her.

Newlyweeds was a 2011 IFP Emerging Narrative program selection, as well as a finalist for NYU's prestigious Columbus/Vague Award, and is on The Purple List (NYU Film's counterpart to Hollywood's Black List).

The movie is produced by Jim Wareck, Michael Matthews, Shaka King and Gbenga Akinnagbe (making his producing debut).

Shaka tells me that the film is completing post-production currently, with a Spring 2013 release planned.

Given its pedigree, I won't at all be surprised if we find it a 2013 Sundance Film Festival selection. Not that I know anything; I'm just guessing.

Not much to show and tell yet, except the few still photos within this post; but you can follow Newlyweeds' progress on Facebook HERE.