Here’s an exclusive first look at Yasmeen Fletcher and Cooper Roth in ‘American Spirit’ from writer and director Christopher Yates.
Written by Christopher Yates, American Spirit follows intrepid college student, Melody (Fletcher) as she reunites with former high school boyfriend, Jonathan (Roth) after a party gone awry. As the two reconnect, they reflect on what went wrong with their relationship and their own culpability in its aftermath. The film explores questions of identity and evolving iterations of self, as well as timely conversations around the transition from youth into adulthood.
Fletcher and Roth are also joined by Todd Terry, who will play Professor Bolton, one of Melody’s professors she and Jonathan discover to be in a bleak marital rut, as well as Mackinlee Waddell, who is playing Riley: Melody’s best friend, closest confidant and poorest influence. Sabrina Zahir will produce alongside Yates through their banner, Fridge Poet Pictures. Production kicks off in Austin next month.
“The chemistry between Fletcher and Roth is singular and showcases the talent of two of young Hollywood’s most gifted performers,” Yates tell us. “I’m so eager for audiences to meet their characters and for their story to find new meaning. Being only three years removed from college graduation myself, American Spirit says everything I could want to say about this chapter of my life. I sincerely hope this generation of young filmgoers connects to and sees so much of themselves in these characters— and falls in love with them in the same way I have.”
Fletcher most recently starred as Nakia Bahadir on Disney+’s Ms. Marvel. She will next star alongside John Cho, Alex R. Hibbert and Mina Sundwall in the indie drama, The Graduates, premiering at Tribeca Film Festival this month.
Roth appeared opposite Colin Farrell in the second season of HBO’s True Detective and is featured in a recurring role in the current season of Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever. Roth is also a filmmaker and will graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts this year.
Production has concluded on American Spirit. Stay tuned for more details soon.