James Baldwin Arrives in Paris in the Trailer for Yashaddai Owens’ Jimmy, Premiering This July.

      My top find at the 2024 New York Film Festival was Yashaddai Owens’ "Jimmy," a jazzy, French New Wave-inspired depiction that imagines James Baldwin’s (Benny O. Arthur) arrival in Paris in November 1948. While many biographical dramas tend to repetitively cover well-known moments from a famous individual's life in a predictable style, Owens boldly reinterprets the biopic format, immersing the audience in the vibrant sights and sounds of a new city that would significantly influence the author’s writings. Filmed in grainy, evocative black-and-white 16mm, this creative risk pays off beautifully.

      Now set for a U.S. release via Strand Releasing, it will debut on July 31 at NYC’s IFC Center. On August 2, the theater will also hold a special screening in celebration of James Baldwin’s 102nd birthday, which will include a post-screening discussion with Yashaddai Owens and Barry Jenkins. In preparation for the release, the new trailer and poster have been revealed.

      Here’s the synopsis: “It’s 1948 in Harlem, New York, and a young James Baldwin is in search of something beyond his life in the States. Weaving this premise into a contemporary narrative, 'Jimmy' details Baldwin’s overseas journey through lively and expansive handheld camera work in Yashaddai Owens’ debut film. From the beautiful landscapes of Istanbul to the streets of Paris, we accompany Jimmy as he navigates his early abroad experiences, merging our perception of time and space to reveal how an artist finds their path in the world.”

      Check out the trailer and poster below.