'The Inspection' trailer presents a personal, true story from the U.S. military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' era

Pier Kids and My House documentary maker Elegance Bratton's debut narrative feature film, The Inspection, has a powerful new trailer from A24.

The film, which will close this year's New York Film Festival in October, is based on his own experience as a young, gay, Black man who spent a decade in a state of homelessness before joining the Marine Corps, amid the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era.

The film stars Jeremy Pope as Ellis French, who finds himself with limited options living on the streets, and lasting feelings of resentment toward his mother, Inez (Gabrielle Union), who rejected him. So, he decides to join the Marines, where he endures discrimination, abuse, and prejudice amid the already tough bootcamp, steered by his ruthless sergeant, Leland Laws (Bokeem Woodbine), and superior Laurence Harvey (Raúl Castillo).

But while surviving in this brutal environment, Ellis carves his own sense of purpose and strength among his peers, and might even find a glimmer of belonging.

The Inspection is showing at NYFF Oct. 14 ahead of a wider cinema release TBC.