Trailer To Faith-Based Feature, Jane & Emma, Starring Danielle Deadwyler & Emily GossPosted by Wilson Morales
August 17, 2018
Source: Deadline
Deadline has posted the trailer to the faith-based feature Jane & Emma, directed by Chantelle Squires. Touching on the Mormon Church’s early history of racially discriminatory practices, it tells the story of two women, Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and Jane Manning, one of the first black members. The film stars Danielle Deadwyler (The Haves And The Have Nots ) as Jane and Emily Goss (The House On Pine Street) playing Emma Smith. Brad Schmidt and K. Danor Gerald co-star.
Inspired by true events, JANE & EMMA tells the story of two women (Jane Manning James and Emma Smith) who forged an unlikely friendship against the backdrop of race, religion and gender issues in 1844. Jane as one of the first black members of the Mormon church and Emma Smith as the wife of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, come together to survive a perilous night after Joseph is murdered by a mob in Carthage jail.
When Jane returns to Nauvoo, she finds the city nearly deserted and soon discovers Emma alone in her home with Joseph’s body. The film explores the possible events of that night, including Jane’s endeavor to remain amongst the Mormon people and Emma’s struggle to cope with her heartbreaking loss. Throughout the night, poignant issues of racism and polygamy threaten to break their bond of friendship. In the end, will Jane and Emma have the courage to follow the path each believes they must take?
“For 136 years, the Mormon Church excluded African-Americans from many of its most cherished religious rites and rituals. Yet, Mormon founder Joseph Smith and his wife Emma took the opposite approach, embracing racial diversity in the early days of the church, at a time when slavery was still an established practice in America. By exploring the friendship between Emma Smith, a white woman, and Jane Manning, a black woman, this film provides a template for how modern Mormons can address and overcome the difficult racial history of the church,” said Arthur VanWagenen, CEO of Excel Entertainment.
“For those outside of our community— both religious and secular—Jane & Emma presents an opportunity to talk about race, gender, and religion in a healing and constructive way. This is an opportunity to learn what we can do better as Americans when confronting ills in our own society today.”
Melissa Leilani Larson wrote the screenplay, which was produced by Jenn Lee Smith, Madeline Jorgenson, as well as Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes of Clearstone Films. Brent Jorgensen, Stirling VanWagenen (co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival), and Jon Lear served as exec producers.
Utah-based distribution company Excel Entertainment will release Jane & Emma in limited theaters starting on October 12.
