BET+ Feature Acquisition Sundance ‘Young.Wild.Free’ Trailer.

EXCLUSIVE: BET+ takes over the Sundance Film Festival Young wild free shared its official trailer (above) ahead of its June 27 streaming premiere. The film starring Sanaa Lathan, Mike Epps, Algee Smith and Sierra Capri was directed by Thembi L. Banks.

Young wild free follows Algee Smith (Brandon Huffman), a hot-headed high school senior whose claustrophobic life is suddenly pushed in a tempting, dangerous direction after he is robbed at gunpoint by the girl of his dreams, Cassidy (Sierra Capri).

Being a teenager is hard and Brandon is no exception. Between difficulties at school, taking care of two younger siblings and having just been laid off from work, he often uses his art as an escape from the constraints of his subdued everyday life. Cassidy appears, a dazed bad girl dripping with confidence, freedom and danger. Attracted by her whims, Brandon joins forces with Cassidy, seamlessly taking on the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they pursue an increasingly dangerous path.

Lathan stars as Janice Huffman, Brandon’s mother, who struggles to balance mental health issues and being a mother to three children. Lamont, played by Mike Epps, is the father of Janice’s two youngest children and has a strained relationship with Brandon.

“Having started working in theatre, one of the joys of acting for me is the real transformation. I love playing the romantic lead, the imaginative one, but sometimes the most fun you can have is creating a character that is very, very different from you; this movie was the perfect opportunity to do that. Janice’s fate is the fate of many women in America,” Lathan told Deadline in a statement.

“This film is about young love, and as a fan of the uprising story, it is the film I wish I had experienced as a young black girl. I love the contrast of imperfection and beauty that Brandon’s family presents, and I think there is something for everyone in this story that will not only be relatable, but also inspiring,” said Banks.

Regarding working with Banks, Lathan touted the importance of “supporting young Black directors, especially women.” She added: “I was thrilled to meet Thembi to hear her vision. She’s a real artist.”

Written by Juel Taylor (Statement of Faith II) and co-writer Tony Rettenmaier, Young wild free Producers include Tommy Oliver of Confluential Films, Charles D. King of MACRO Studios, James Lopez, Poppy Hanks, Baron Davis of No Label Productions and Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd. Byrd also cast the film. Executive producers include Codie Elaine Oliver, Charlotte Koh, Prince Baggett, Jo Henriquez, Mark R. Wright, Jenna Cavelle, Tony Rettenmeier, Juel Taylor, Thembi L. Banks and Sanaa Lathan.

Watch the trailer in full above.