Jessica Williams Film 'The Incredible Jessica James' To Close Sundance 2017
Jessica Williams' film debut, The Incredible Jessica James, will be arriving on Netflix before the end of the year.
The film and TV streaming service made the announcement yesterday, stating that the movie will made available to watch globally some time in 2017.
Directed by Jim Strouse, The Incredible Jessica James features Williams portraying the titular character, an "aspiring playwright" that is trying to excel in her career, while also dealing with the aftermath of a failed relationship (with her boyfriend portrayed by Atlanta star Keith Stanfield). Chris O'Dowd and Master Of None's Noel Wells serve as Williams' new romantic interest and best friend, respectively.
"We are honored to get to work with Jim Strouse as we introduce film lovers around the globe to The Incredible Jessica James, which marks the arrival of Jessica Williams, a true star in the making," Netflix's Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement.
While premiering the movie at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Williams also took the time to dedicate a speech to the Women's March that occurred this past weekend, speaking to a talk that her mother gave her as a child and how it opened her eyes to the inequality she would inevitably experience as a black woman.
"I am my ancestors' dream. They fought for me to be able to stand up here in the cold-ass snow in front of a bunch of white people wearing Uggs," Williams began. "...I'm 27 years old. I got The Daily Show when I was 22. I learned a lot of s— when I was on that show and for me, I grew up. And the hardest part of growing up for me is realizing that the world is not inherently fair."
"If you are a minority, please know that you are valid. Your thoughts and your feelings are valid. I stand with you," Williams concluded with. "If you are transgender, know that it is already legal to discriminate against the transgender community in a majority of these United States...I stand with you, I hope that you stand with me."
