Chiwetel Ejiofor is already set to lead a true life slavery drama in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave, but chances are most forgot that he has a similar film coming up even sooner. Back in 2011 he signed on to star in Savannah, an indie film from Annette Haywood-Carter (Foxfire) that would have him starring alongside Jim Caviezel in what sounded like a mismatched buddy film. The first trailer has hit the web and while it doesn't look like a comedy, there's enough wrong that it's certainly laughable.
Based on a true story, Savannah tells of the unlikely business partnership between former aristocrat Ward Allen (Caviezel) and freed slave Christmas Moultrie, at a time in the 1900s when the deep south wasn't really open to such a thing. As Moultrie and Allen become friends, they must also fight to protect what is theirs from those who would take it away. There's no drama, no tension, and the whole thing looks and sounds like something destined for the Hallmark Channel. But no, this one is actually hitting theaters, although it's unlikely it'll be at your local multiplex. The cast is actually pretty strong, with Jack McBrayer, Jaime Alexander, Sam Shepard, Hal Holbrook, and Bradley Whitford co-starring.
Savannah opens in limited release on August 23rd.
