Kerry Washington takes centre stage as Major Charity Adams in Tyler Perry's upcoming film “The Six Triple Eight”, a powerful portrayal of the all-black, all-female battalion that served during World War II
The movie, which is written, directed and produced by the renowned American film-maker, will be released in selected cinemas worldwide on Friday, December 6, as well as on Netflix on December 20.
The 47-year-old “ Scandal” actress will play the formidable commander in the titular, historic World War II drama, which is inspired by the real-life story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
This was an all-black, all-female Women’s Army Corps unit where its members were tasked with sorting the massive backlog of undelivered mail for US service members in England and France.
The film’s logline read: “Despite facing racism and sexism — and gruelling working conditions — [the 6888 members] were committed to serving their country with honour and distinction.
“Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.”
Meanwhile, Washington can be heard on a trailer as saying: “They did not send us because they thought we could do it; we are here because they are sure we cannot.”
“We are no strangers to making a shack a home. We are at war and when you are at war, you make do,” she added during her powerful speech in the movie.
Washington will be joined by a star-studded cast, which includes Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt, Sam Waterston as President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune.
The rest of the cast includes Ebony Obsidian, Dean Norris, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown and Jeanté Godlock.
“Deadline” has also reported that “The Six Triple Eight” draws inspiration from the article “Fighting A Two-Front War” by Kevin M. Hymel, which was published in “WWII History Magazine.”
The film will also include the original song “The Journey”, written by Diane Warren and performed by H.E.R., with choreography by Debbie Allen.
The publication added that Perry, Washington and Obsidian were at Arlington National Cemetery last month as part of a United Service Organization visit to pay respect to the 6888th Central Postal Battalion.
It explained that the real 6888 were part of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of colour to be stationed in Europe during WWII as they were deployed overseas in February 1945.
And while the battalion comprised mostly of black women, it was also made up of women of Caribbean and Mexican descent, with all 855 of whom were tasked with breaking a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail.
Major Charity Adams, Washington’s character in the movie, led the women in working three, eight-hour shifts to meet the challenge, accomplishing the mission in less than 90 days.
They were originally given six months to complete the work, which included routing packages and letters, some with incomplete or inaccurate addresses, in buildings lacking proper lighting and heat due to discriminatory segregation standards.
As such, the women of the 6888 created their own food hall, hair salon and refreshment station.
“Deadline” added that, in 2022, the US House of Representatives voted unanimously to award the women of the 6888 the Congressional Gold Medal.
Watch the trailer here: