Amandla StenbergleadsThe Hate U Giveas Starr Carter, a teenager living in a predominantly black neighborhood but enrolled in a predominantly white prep school. Starr makes an effort to keep those worlds completely separate, behaving a certain way in each place, but when she witnesses the fatal shooting of a childhood friend at the hands of a white police office, Starr comes to the conclusion that enough is enough; she needs to find and embrace her voice, and stand up for what’s right, no matter the effect it has on some of her most valued relationships.
Stenberg commands the screen inThe Hate U Give, but she’s also backed by a powerful supporting ensemble that includesRiverdalestarKJ Apaas Starr’s boyfriend Chris,Sabrina Carpenteras one of her closest friends at school,Dominique Fishbackas one of her closest friends from Garden Heights, andLamar Johnsonas Starr’s half-brother. I got the chance to sit down with the four of them to discuss the palpable cast chemistry in the film, personal passions and hobbies well worth sharing, directorGeorge Tillman Jr.’s monitor dance and more. You can check it all out in the video interview at the top of this article. And, in case you missed it,click herefor my interview with Stenberg andAlgee Smith, andclick herefor my conversation with Tillman Jr. andThe Hate U GiveauthorAngie Thomas.
The Hate U Givegets its nationwide release on October 19th. Be sure to check out Adam Chitwood’s rave reviewright here.
Here’s the official synopsis forThe Hate U Give:
Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives and the rich, mostly white, prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressures from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right. THE HATE U GIVE is based on the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller by Angie Thomas and stars Amandla Stenberg as Starr, with Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Issa Rae, KJ Apa, Algee Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, Common and Anthony Mackie.
