Nicole G. Leier in 'Black Chicks' directed by Neil LaBute — Nicole G. Leier in ‘Black Chicks’ directed by Neil LaBute

The above poster for Neil LaBute’s upcoming film “Black Chicks” was released earlier today, shared on the film’s Facebook page, along with mention that it’ll premiere on the film festival circuit in 2017.

“Black Chicks” is based on a play by LaBute titled “Black Girls.” For those who don’t know, yes, he’s also a playwright, with a body of work that I’d broadly describe as provocative; plays that have, in a few cases, become feature length films that he also directed, like his feature directorial debut, “In the Company of Men,” and, later in his career, “The Shape of Things.” So whether “Black Chicks” continues that trend for the writer/director (adaptation of his own plays to film).

“Black Girls” is not a LaBute play I am familiar with unfortunately; a Google search returned very little, and most articles I found simply recycled others, so they all say pretty much the same thing, which is not very much in terms of details. It’s not listed on any of the Broadway or Off-Broadway, or Off-Off-Broadway online databases, although write-ups about the film that it’s inspired, and the actress who stars in the film (Nicole G. Leier) say that she starred in a stage production of it in Los Angeles (no date given), then felt strongly that it would make an excellent film, and got in contact with LaBute, who agreed. The rest, as they say, is history (changing the title from “Black Girls” to “Black Chicks”).

Available story info on the film, which is produced by Leier’s production company Black Tree Pictures, reads: “Black Girls” takes a white guy and a black girl through a wildly uncomfortable moment, as a seemingly innocent conversation between these two coworkers turns into a racially charged back and forth.

According to the actress, the film/play “unveils an important story, addressing huge issues in an understated yet emotional way,” as racial stereotypes are “brought to light… and questioned.”

David Cubit co-stars as the “white guy.”

Leier, Labute and DP Brendan Uegama (who also co-owns Black Tree Pictures) are all producers.

If you’re familiar with the play, enlighten the rest of us in the comment section below in terms of what to expect.

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