On Dec. 12, the Black Alphabet FIlm Festival hosted the Chicago premiere of queer actor Jussie Smollett’s new film The Last Holiday with a discussion afterwards.
The film, an official selection of the American Black Film Festival, was screened at the AMC Theater at 322 S. Illinois St. and was directed by Smollett from an original screenplay by him and Jerrell Chesney.
The Last Holiday focuses on the process of healing and forgiveness over the stretch of holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s in a queer family, and also stars Vivica A. Fox and features Tom Wilson, Jabari Redd, Gina Belafonte, Marquise Vilson, Eddie Mac, Janet Smollett and Chicago actor Leslie David Baker.
The film follows a gay Black couple, Jason (Smollett) and Damien (Redd), who are having difficulties in their marriage and are on the eve of adopting. All of this is thrown into chaos when Damien suddenly dies and his long-estranged mother comes for a surprise visit. Cassandra Marshell, a woman who is used to having her own way, is suddenly faced with the news that her son was married to a man and has surrounded himself with a comfortable queer family.
The Last Holiday is set for streaming in the upcoming months.
