Kerry Washington Serves as Commander of All-Black, Female Army Corps in ‘Six Triple Eight’ Trailer
The World War II drama Six Triple Eight trailer, released Wednesday, features an all-Black female army division crawling through rubble and ducking for cover as they prepare to serve overseas in World War II.
“Soldiers, you must be perfect. you don’t have the luxury to be good. You have the burden to be better, Kerry Washington, the corps’ commanding officer, says in the trailer. “I need women who have had to fight to survive.”
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Tyler Perry’s Six Triple Eight draws inspiration from the Women’s Army Corps unit of color who served amid WWII, the first and only all-female army crew of color to do so. As the women grapple with rampant sexism, racism, and hazardous working conditions, the unsung heroes remain committed to serving the nation and completing the mission.
“I am giving you my best. And you will give me yours,” Washington’s character says in the clip. “A lot of people do not want us to succeed. We have the most to prove.”
Washington plays the valiant Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. (The U.S. Army created the 6888th, which included about 850 Black women, to help with a backlog of mail between soldiers and concerned family and friends, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.) The screenplay is based on the article “Fighting A Two-Front War,” written by Kevin Hymel.
Other cast members include Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Jay Reeves, Jeffery Johnson, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey. The film will include original song “The Journey” written by Diane Warren and performed by H.E.R.
Six Triple Eight is part of Perry’s multiyear deal with Netflix to write, direct, and produce projects for the streamer. The film will be released in select theaters on Dec. 6 and head to Netflix on Dec. 20.
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