The historic inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, was a cultural moment that shaped a generation. Now, that unforgettable day serves as the backdrop for a brand-new coming-of-age film. Terry Crews and Jermaine Harris are officially set to star in Inauguration Day, a dramedy that explores identity, high school chaos, and the quest to belong.
Audiences have recently been enjoying Harris in the Tyler Perry cinematic universe. He took on the role of BJ in both Madea’s Destination Wedding and Netflix’s Joe’s College Road Trip. Playing the grandson of Madea’s brother, Uncle Joe, Harris captured the comedic frustration of a privileged kid who had completely forgotten about his heritage. With Inauguration Day, Harris seems to be giving us another role of him living with privilege.
The film is drawn from the real-life experiences of director Sterling Hampton IV, a Sundance alum making his feature directorial debut. Hampton attended a predominantly white high school during the 2009 inauguration, and the film mirrors that unique environment. The plot follows a well-meaning school celebration that quickly spirals into absolute chaos as students inevitably clash and social alliances shift.
At the center of this fracas is Harris’s character, Frederick, an outsider who is simply trying to navigate high school crushes, his own cultural identity, and a deep need to belong. Crews steps in to play Frederick’s larger-than-life father, Anthony, who predictably turns up the heat on an already boiling situation.
Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur will.i.am serves as the film’s executive producer, with the script penned by Sabrina Lassegue.
The ensemble cast rounding out the high school halls includes Lexi Underwood, Tim Johnson Jr., Israel Johnson, Victoria Ogbonna, and Bart Johnson. Additionally, Sean Lew, Karly Rothenberg, Grace Wethor, and Tevin Johnson add to the lineup.
Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming film.
As a film that promises to capture both the monumental weight of 2009 and the universal awkwardness of being a teenager, Inauguration Day is definitely a project to keep on your cinematic radar.
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