Earlier today, Spike Lee’s BlackkKlansman was screened at the Cannes Film Festival to enthusiastic reviews and a ten minute standing ovation.

Not coincidentally, the first trailer was released today as well.  And here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQZu3_kgGBE

Amazingly enough, this film is based on a true story.  In Colorado, an African-American cop named Ron Stallworth really did manage to not only infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan but also eventually became the head of the chapter.  In the film, Stallworth is played by John David Washington, son of Denzel.  His partner is played by Adam Driver, who seems to be destined to get an Oscar nomination at some point in the near future.  And David Duke is played by Topher Grace, who has certainly come a long way since That 70s Show.

BlacKkKlansman is due to be released in August of this year.  Both Awards Watch and Awards Circuit currently have it listed as a probable Oscar contender and, going by the initial reaction for Cannes, it very well may be.