Get ready to meet the unapologetic and free-spirited Inez, played by the one and only R&B superstar, Teyana Taylor! You might have seen her in the hilarious sequel to Coming to America, or on the E! reality show with her husband, but now she’s taking on the big screen in A THOUSAND AND ONE. In this Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film, Inez kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system and sets out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in the midst of a rapidly changing New York City.
Joining Taylor in this fantastic cast are Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aven Courtney, and Aaron Kingsley Adetola.
Also Read: A Snow Day In Oakland Official Trailer Released
A THOUSAND AND ONE, written and directed by A.V. Rockwell, is a powerful commentary on the gentrification of New York, something that hits close to home for Rockwell, who grew up in Queens. Her goal with this movie was to shine a light on the women of color who have faced incredible adversity in their lives and still managed to come out the other side with a fierce commitment to caring for their loved ones.
As we follow Inez and Terry through their journey, we see how the city has broken hearts and shattered dreams. But even as they face hardship after hardship, Inez never gives up. She’s a criminal with a heart of gold, doing whatever it takes to survive and care for the people she loves.
Rockwell did her research, delving into the foster care system of the 1990s and the ins and outs of gentrification in New York. With a deep understanding of the city’s history, she anchored the film in 1994, the year Rudy Giuliani took office as mayor and promised to crack down on crime. But as Inez and Terry show us, even the best intentions can have unintended consequences for the most vulnerable members of our society.
The film releases on March 31st , but in the meantime you can watch the gripping trailer.
