The Inspection: director and writer Elegance Bratton uses this drama to tell his personal life story and how he asserted himself as a queer black man in the U.S. Marines.
Plot and background
Ellis French (Jeremy Pope) grew up in an arch-conservative family. After coming out, his mother Inez (Gabrielle Union) disowns him and he lives on the streets. Homelessness, helplessness and hardly any support in acquaintance determine his everyday life.
He wants to find new hope in the U.S. Marines, of all things, but already the drill sergeants announce that they want to break the recruits. Anyone who is different – Ellis is not only homosexual, but also black – finds no place here. The harassment and ostracism continue, especially the verbal abuse by recruit Harvey (McCaul Lombardi) increasing by the day. The only person who initially takes his side is instructor Rosales (Rául Castillo). After basic training, Ellis’ life will have fundamentally changed.
“The Inspection” – background, cast, theatrical release
The drama from independent studio A24 is loosely based on the life of director and screenwriter Elegance Bratton. Once disowned by his family for his homosexuality, the filmmaker lived on the streets for ten years before enlisting as a U.S. Marine. There he learned how to make movies and discovered a passion for photography. “The Inspection” marks his feature-length film debut, having previously made the documentary “Pier Kids” in 2019.
In the lead role, he won Jeremy Pope (“Hollywood”), who was nominated for a 2023 Golden Globe for Best Lead Actor – Drama for the role. Other roles include Gabrielle Union (“Sleepless”), Rául Castillo (“Atypical”), Bokeem Woodbine (“Queen & Slim”) and McCaul Lombardi (“American Honey”).
The film had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival and could inspire at other 2022 film festivals. In this country, “The Inspection” will be released in cinemas on August 24, 2023 and has been given an FSK rating of 12 years and up.
