Podtalk: Writer/Director Elegance Bratton Passes ‘The Inspection’

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CHICAGO – The journey of Elegance Bratton took him from homelessness to the U.S. Marine Corps to to his first film … all based on his life. “The Inspection” is about Ellis (Jeremy Pope). a gay black youth who decides he has one last shot at a chance to get off the streets … if he can survive Marine boot camp.

After begging his mother (Gabrielle Union) for his birth certificate, Ellis French enlists in the Marine Corps and ends up at boot camp on Parris Island in South Carolina. He initially meets the physical requirements, but is not as successful in disguising his sexual orientation, making him the target of a near-lethal hazing from drill instructor Leland Laws (Bokeem Woodbine) and his fellow enlistees. It takes gumption … and a bit of sympathy from instructor Rosales (Raul Castillo) … for Ellis to survive.

‘The Inspection,’ Directed by Elegance Bratton (inset)
Photo credit: Amazon Studios

“The Inspection” is Elegance Bratton’s feature debut, after a series of short films made after his military service as a photographer and camera operator. He is an advocate for providing aid and comfort to LBGTQ+ youth through his film work, including the documentary “The Pier” (2019), about homeless youth in New York City.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, writer/director Elegance Bratton talks about the military life through his filter …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com