On Tuesday Focus Features released the trailer for its latest motion picture, Harriet. The film chronicles the life and story of African American freedom fighter Harriet Tubman.
Directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Gregory Allen, the movie includes stars such as Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monae, and Joe Alwyn.
Harriet is the first feature film that documents the life of Tubman through her escape from slavery to her work in the Civil War. As stated in a press release:
HARRIET is the first film to follow Tubman on her escape from slavery and subsequent missions to free dozens of slaves through the Underground Railroad in the face of growing pre-Civil War adversity.
The picture also focuses on Tubman's faith, showing how she relied on God in her dangerous travels leading African American slaves to safety and freedom.
HARRIET does not shy away from the Holy Spirit as Tubman describes the visions and dreams she received from God, guiding her and her followers to safety. As the “Moses” of her time and first woman to lead an armed expedition in war, HARRIET proves to be the perfect example of a fearless, faithful leader that all people of faith can relate to and admire!
Tubman is known for trekking over 100 miles in her various missions to free slaves using the secret network of the Underground Railroad. Through her efforts, she rescued 70 slaves. During the Civil War, Tubman became the first woman to lead a major military expedition at Combahee Ferry, which liberated over 700 slaves.
The long-anticipated film comes after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin delayed the release of a $20 Tubman bill to 2028 due to counterfeiting and security issues. This directive follows a timeline the Obama Administration set, even after it was reported that the redesigned bill was supposed to come out in 2020.
Watch the trailer here: