The trailer for Matthew McConaughey‘s latest movie, Free State of Jones, has been released and it’s a doozy. Following the real-life figure of Newton Knight, Free State of Jones follows McConaughey’s character, a Confederate solider in the American Civil War from Mississippi, as he rebels against the Confederacy with a band of farmers and slaves to found a mixed-race community in Jones County, eventually declaring it an independent state.
Tap Roots from 1948 was loosely based upon the life of Newton Knight but this is the first film that truly discusses the infamous farmer as an advocate for racial equality. Especially interesting is its negative stance against the Unionists and the Confederates as Civil War films will normally fall on the side of the victors (the Union). Over the years it has been hotly debated whether Knight was a noble individual with noble intentions or whether he was a common outlaw; from a first look at the film it seems that it is placing itself within both camps as Knight delivers a speech (which reeks of Abraham Lincoln) on equality whilst also refusing to fight just to keep the Southern landowners rich.
Joining McConaughey are Gugu Mbatha-Raw (as his African-American wife), Jacob Lofland, Keri Russell, Mahershala Ali, Sean Bridgers and Christopher Barry. Gary Ross, director of The Hunger Games and Seabiscuit, will direct. Free State of Jones will be released May 13 in the U.S. and May 27 in the U.K.. Have a look at the trailer for yourselves below.
#Peace.love.MatthewMcConaughey
