A chance meeting leads to a story you won’t believe in Zola, the latest from co-writer/director Janicza Bravo.
The allure of big money is what does Zola in. A new friend, one who aggressively latches onto her, says she knows a place they can make thousands doing what they love: stripping. So she gets in a car with people she barely knows and heads out, and it goes far worse than you can imagine. Turns out her friend is envisioning much more than stripping, and once on the road it seems impossible for Zola to extricate herself from the mess.
Pitched as an off-kilter crime comedy, Zola could be Bravo’s breakout. She’s been prolific in the past few years with shorts and TV work as well as squeezing in the dramatic comedy feature Lemon, but Zola is the kind of movie that stands out from the crowd.
The same can be said for Taylour Paige, who stars as the titular Zola. She’s been hanging around in movies like Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Boogie, but this puts her front and center in a flashy role. Riley Keough as her zany new friend might take some of the spotlight, as could potential scene-stealers like Colman Domingo and Nicholas Braun.
Luckily, this movie looks like it’s big enough to give everyone room to shine. It got a warm reception at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and has been patiently awaiting the chance for a flashy release. As for everyone who’s been hearing how good it is for the past year, well, we’re just glad the wait is almost over.
Zola is directed by Janicza Bravo and stars Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, and Colman Domingo. It will be released in the US on June 30th, 2021. For international release dates, click here.
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