DIRECTOR DAVID ANDALMAN’S ‘MILKSHAKE’ TO MAKE ITS WORLD DEBUT AT SUNDANCE

It’s movies like ‘Milkshake’ that make me even more upset that I’m missing the Sundance Film Festival this year. The synopsis of the film goes like this:

“In mid-1990s America, we follow the tragic sex life of Jolie Jolson (above, right), a wannabe thug (and great-great-grandson of legendary vaudevillian Al Jolson) in suburban Washington as he strives to become something he can never be—black.”

You have to appreciate a film that dares to tell the story of a white guy who wants to be black, especially if that white guy is a descendant of Al Jolson, whose claim to fame is his performances done in black face. It’s a uniquely American story and one that becomes even more interesting when we realize that even while Jolson was performing in a style that is now considered offensive, he fought for the rights of black performers. For me, it’s this aspect of the story that makes it more than just a gimmick. How Meta and very Sundancey.

It stars Tyler Ross, Shareeka Epps, Georgia Ford, Eshan Bay,Leo Fitzpatrick, and Danny Burstein. ‘Milkshake’ is written by David Andalman and Mariko Munro.

Jump in for a clip of the film.

[Via Shadow And Act]