Houston – Award-winning filmmaker Christine Swanson and actress Renée Elise Goldsberry, widely known for her role in Hamilton, have teamed up once again for the poignant and heartwarming film Albany Road.
The film, which has already made its way around the festival circuit winning Best Feature Film at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and receiving the Golden Thumb Award at Ebertfest, is set to debut nationwide on November 15, 2024.
Ahead of its release, Swanson and Goldsberry stopped by Studio B to talk about their longtime friendship, the movie’s themes, and how Swanson brought her vision to life with the help of her husband, Michael Swanson who produced the film. The couple lead their own production company, Faith Filmworks. According to its website, the company was established in 1997 and “develops and produces distinctive entertainment projects that have moral resonance, universal appeal, and commercial viability.”
Renée Elise Goldsberry’s involvement in Albany Road represents a full-circle moment for the actress. Swanson cast Goldsberry in her first lead role early in her career, long before her breakout role in Hamilton.
Instead of addressing traditional themes of religion, Swanson’s narrative explores faith through healing, relationships, and personal growth. Albany Road is loosely inspired by her own life experiences, including the Black women who raised her in Detroit. At the heart of the film is a transformative road trip between two characters—Paula, played by Lynn Whitfield, and Celeste, played by Goldsberry.
The film is already generating significant buzz, particularly for its performances and its music. Lynn Whitfield, who stars alongside Goldsberry, won Best Actress at the Detroit Black Film Festival. There is also early Oscar talk surrounding Whitfield for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the potential for a Best Original Song nomination for the film’s end credits track. The film has also picked up accolades at four major film festivals.
Albany Road has secured distribution through a unique “four wall” model with AMC Theatres, ensuring that audiences across the country will have the chance to see it in theaters. Watch their full interview in the player above.