Writer/Director Tayarisha Poe's Debut SELAH & THE SPADES From Amazon Checks In

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent

Amazon Originals offers something new on April 17, and here's what they say about SELAH & THE SPADES. Written and Directed by first-timer Tayarisha Poe, SELAH is produced by Lauren McBride, Drew Houpt and Lucas Joaquin. The film headlines Lovie Simone, Celeste O’Connor, Jharrel Jerome with Jesse Williams and Gina Torres... 

TAKE THESE GIRLS SERIOUSLY

In her feature debut, writer/director Tayarisha Poe immerses us in a heightened depiction of teenage politics. This searing character study encapsulates just how intoxicating power can be for a teenage girl who acutely feels the threat of being denied it. Exciting newcomer Lovie Simone’s performance beautifully embodies both Selah’s publicly impeccable command and the internal fears and uncertainty that drive it. SELAH takes place in the closed world of an elite Pennsylvania boarding school, Haldwell, the student body is run by five factions. Seventeen-year-old Selah Summers (Lovie Simone) runs the most dominant group, the Spades, with unshakable poise, as they cater to the most classic of vices and supply students with coveted, illegal alcohol and pills.

Tensions between the factions escalate, and when Selah’s best friend/right hand Maxxie (MOONLIGHT’s Jharrel Jerome) becomes distracted by a new love, Selah takes on a protégée, enamored sophomore Paloma (Celeste O'Connor), to whom she imparts her wisdom on ruling the school. But with graduation looming and Paloma proving an impressively quick study, Selah’s fears turn sinister as she grapples with losing the control by which she defines herself.

  FIRST GLANCE NOW 

Written and Directed by: Tayarisha Poe Produced by: Lauren McBride, Drew Houpt and Lucas Joaquin Cast: Lovie Simone, Celeste O’Connor, Jharrel Jerome with Jesse Williams and Gina Torres 

89 Minutes | Rated R

Visit them here. Debuts April 17, 2020 on Prime. The official trailer drops April 3, ps.

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