A mere four days ago, Justice Clarence Thomas shocked the world when, for the first time in ten years, he voluntarily utilized his vocal cords and mouth to formulate words while sitting on the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court. And now, in the very same week, the trailer arrives for the HBO Films feature Confirmation.
The film—written by Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich) and directed by Rick Famuyiwa (Dope)—is about the time 25 years ago when Thomas was forced to use his vocal cords and mouth to speak before the nation and defend himself from what he called a “high-tech lynching,” when, in the course of his nomination hearings for SCOTUS, he was accused of sexual harassment by his former attorney-adviser and assistant, Anita Hill.
Wendell Pierce plays the scandal-ridden Supreme Court nominee, while Scandal’s Kerry Washington stars as Anita Hill, whose testimony about Thomas’ alleged behavior provoked nationwide discussion about sexual harassment in the workplace. There’s also a strong supporting cast, including Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, Greg Kinnear, Eric Stonestreet, and Treat Williams (as Ted Kennedy!).
Court will be in session when Confirmation premieres April 16 on HBO.