Doc About the Broadway Show ‘Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play.’ Trailer
by Alex Billington
June 9, 2024
Source: YouTube
“What do you think this documentary is about?” HBO has revealed the official trailer for a documentary film titled Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play., from the acclaimed playwright Jeremy O. Harris. As the title indicates, this isn’t an adaptation, it’s about the play and the audience’s reaction to it. It follows Harris as he workshops and mines “Slave Play“, the (controversial) play that thrust him into the spotlight. It first opened on Broadway in 2019 and received 12 Tony noms (but didn’t win any). In his doc directorial debut, Harris confronts the debate surrounding the play received head-on, reflecting both on its success, including 12 Tony Award nominations, and the outrage it provoked. Probing the incendiary nature of the text, Harris and his actors search for the truth within each of the eight roles that play on and subvert racial stereotypes and power inequalities within interracial couples. Challenging both our own history and modern paradigms, Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play. invites us to live in uncomfortable spaces and reimagine the possibilities of theater itself. This looks incredible fascinating and subversive and exciting! Definitely one to watch out for.
Official trailer (+ poster) for Jeremy O. Harris’ doc Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play., on YouTube:
“Slave Play” (which opened at the John Golden Theatre in fal lof 2019) was one of Broadway’s most celebrated, genre-bending, and daring productions – breaking records and receiving critical acclaim for tackling race, sex, and interracial relationships in a way never before seen on stage. In this playful and provocative documentary film, playwright Jeremy O. Harris takes viewers behind the scenes, from run-throughs to performance, as he strips down his own work, and also directs new actors through workshop rehearsals. As the acting students parse the text and bring meaning to the words on the page, Harris turns his critical eye to the thoughts, inspirations, and creative process that brought the play to life. Intercutting the rehearsal sessions with clips from the live stage performances, Harris reveals the polarizing impacts of the play with laughter and applause from some audiences; anger, discomfort, and derision from others.
Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play. is also directed by award-winning actor / playwright Jeremy O. Harris, making his feature directorial debut after also co-directing the #Nightstrife series and co-writing the Zola script. Produced by Chris Moukarbel and Natalia Leigh-Brown; edited by Peter Ohs and Teki Cruickshank. Made for HBO; executive produced by Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Tina Nguyen. HBO will release Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play. streaming on Max starting June 20th, 2024 this month. Who wants to watch?
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