“Many of you don’t know slavery firsthand,” Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) says at an abolitionist meeting. “But I remember. I’ve heard their groans, seen their tears. We can’t just wait for war.” In the new trailer for “Harriet,” the activist decides to risk her own life and liberty to free more slaves. She’s going to do something, even if no one else will.
Kasi Lemmons’ upcoming biopic follows Tubman as she escapes from slavery and works with the Underground Railroad. The real-life Tubman, who was born in 1822 and died in 1913, helped free hundreds of slaves.
“Liberty or death,” Harriet declares in the spot. She will live on her own terms or perish — nothing in between.
Erivo recently signed on to play Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s “Genius.” The Tony Award-winning Broadway actress’ other screen credits include “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.”
Lemmons’ feature credits include “Eve’s Bayou” and “Black Nativity.” She’s directed episodes of TV series such as “Luke Cage” and “Shots Fired,” and stepped behind the camera for the pilot of “Madam C.J. Walker,” Netflix’s upcoming limited series about the black hair care mogul.
“Harriet” hits theaters November 1. Janelle Monáe (“Hidden Figures”) co-stars.
