'Dear White People' Red-Band Trailer Invites You to a Remarkably Racist Frat Party
It’s hard to tell from the NSFW red-band trailer above if Justin Simien’s upcoming film Dear White People is going to be hilarious — or too close to reality for comfort.
The film, which hits theaters Oct. 17 and debuted to great acclaim at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, explores the racial tensions and misunderstandings that linger even at so-called liberal arts universities. Sure, it’s set at the fictional Winchester University, but there are plenty of painfully true moments in the two minute trailer alone: Frats that hold hip hop-themed parties with stereotypical costume requirements? Flagrant use of slurs? School officials denying all problems?
The writer-director Simien has been clear that the film isn’t meant to be a polemic and that there are plenty of flaws for all of the characters to share in. "Do you put out the stuff where every black person is pristine and perfect and educated and smart? Or do you tell the truth and admit that sometimes the truth involves black people that live up to the stereotype?" Simien asked rhetorically in Interview Magazine earlier this year. "I lean on the side of the truth. I think art is much more valuable when it’s honest. If it’s not honest, it’s just propaganda."
