Passing Film Release

Released just today on the 29^th of October 2021, ‘Passing’ is a film based in the 1920s New York City where “a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who is passing as “white”. The story focuses on two women of colour who were former school friends and end up running into each other by chance in an upscale Manhattan hotel; they are both light skinned, but it seems that the friend Clare is “passing” for white.

Originally, Nella Larsen wrote the novel ‘Passing’ that was published in 1929 by Knopf, which Rebecca Hall, known for her acting in the film called ‘The Prestige’, adapted into a film and made her directing debut. She adds her own personal connection to the film as her own grandfather was also Black but “passed” for white for most of his life, which is what gives this compelling story so much power. 

The two female leads in the film are Tessa Thompson starring as Irene and Ruth Negga starring as Clare; Clare’s lighter skin enables her to “pass” for Caucasian, as she lives with her wealthy white husband John, played by Alexander Skarsgård, who has no idea of her identity. Whereas Irene, who is also biracial, lives as an African American and with her Black doctor husband Brian, played by André Holland, in Harlem with their two sons and a Black maid.

The black and white styled film unfolds in a hypnotic and dreamlike state with ambient sounds and eerie piano music; watch the trailer below to get a glimpse of this modern day produced film noire:

Released on the 29^th of October in cinemas, the film is also scheduled to air on Netflix on the 10^th of November, so keep a look out for further updates and watch the film and Rebecca Hall’s take on the novel ‘Passing’.