Barry Jenkins shares breathtaking trailer for James Baldwin’s ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

Barry Jenkins picked the perfect day to share the trailer for his long-awaited film, If Beale Street Could Talk. He posted the clip on social media in honor of James Baldwin‘s birthday (Baldwin penned the novel the film is based on.)

“For me, August 2nd has always been a day to pay tribute, so… a teaser of what’s to come. Happy Birthday, Jimmy,” he posted.

The Oscar-winning writer/director of Moonlight has had fans waiting for a sneak peek of the flick based on Baldwin’s 1974 novel for months and by the looks of the trailer, it has been worth the wait.

‘Moonlight’ director Barry Jenkins to film adaptation of James Baldwin novel

If Beale Street Could Talk stars Kiki Layne, Regina King, Stephan James and Brian Tyree Henry and the stirring trailer features audio from Baldwin.

“When I was growing up, I was trying to make a connection between the life I saw and the life I lived,” he says. “There are days when you wonder what your role is in this country and what your future is in it. This is one of them.”

The original novel tells the story of a Harlem woman named Tish who must race against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence after they had only recently become engaged, all while carrying their unborn child.

“James Baldwin is a man of and ahead of his time; his interrogations of the American consciousness have remained relevant to this day,” Jenkins said of the story. “To translate the power of Tish and Fonny’s love to the screen in Baldwin’s image is a dream I’ve long held dear. Working alongside the Baldwin Estate, I’m excited to finally make that dream come true.”

Jenkins has reportedly wanted to work on this story for some time now and wrote the screenplay for it at the same time he was writing Moonlight. He has since been working with the Baldwin estate towards making this dream a reality.

Baldwin’s sister, Gloria Karefa-Smart, said of working with Jenkins, “We are delighted to entrust Barry Jenkins with this adaptation. Barry is a sublimely conscious and gifted filmmaker, whose medicine for melancholy impressed us so greatly that we had to work with him.”

If Beale Street Could Talk hits theaters on November 30.