unnamed (10)

A24 and DIRECTV has released the official trailer and poster for “Morris From America” – a hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival (where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, and its star Craig Robinson received a Special Jury Award for Acting for his touching and nuanced performance in his first dramatic role).

The film centers on Morris Gentry (Markees Christmas, in a breakout performance), a 13-year-old who has just relocated with his single father, Curtis (Robinson) to Heidelberg, Germany. Morris, who fancies himself the next Notorious B.I.G., is a fish-out-of-water – a budding hip-hop star in an EDM (electronic dance music) world. To complicate matters further, Morris quickly falls hard for his cool, rebellious, 15-year-old classmate Katrin (Lina Keller). Morris sets out against all odds to take the hip-hop world by storm and win the girl of his dreams.

Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chad Hartigan (“This Is Martin Bonner”), “Morris From America” is described as a delightfully original take on growing up, following your dreams, and finding your voice. The film features an extensive soundtrack of hip-hop standards, including Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear,” Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” Jeru the Damaja’s “Come Clean,” and, featured in the trailer, “Nobody Speak” by DJ Shadow (feat. Run the Jewels).

“Morris From America” will be available exclusively on DIRECTV beginning July 7th and opens theatrically in select cities on August 19th.

Check out the poster (above) and trailer (below):

Markees Christmas

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week