Openly sharing their personal emotions and experiences, and refusing to compromise their beliefs just to garner more widespread acceptance, can be a harrowing process for both Marines and filmmakers in America. But up-and-coming writer-director Elegance Bratton, who has garnered acclaim for his work on short films, documentaries and television series over the past seven years, is doing just that with his latest project, ‘The Inspection.’

Making his feature film writing and directorial debuts on the drama, the filmmaker reflected on his own experiences being rejected by his family as a teenager. After being homeless for 10 years before joining the Marines in his mid-20s, Bratton infused his personal background of refusing to deny his sexuality within his family and the Marines, despite the societal pressure to do so, into his semi-autobiographical first feature.

Emmy and Tony Award-nominated actor, Jeremy Pope was cast in his first leading feature film role in ‘The Inspection,’ for which he was nominated for the Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama award at last month’s Golden Globes ceremony. He infused his character of Ellis French with the raw pain and pride that Bratton has experienced throughout his life, in one of the most stirring portraits of queer Black masculinity since the Oscar-winning ‘Moonlight.’

‘The Inspection’ follows Ellis as he enlists in the Marine Corps basic training, after a decade of living on the streets, as his mother, Inez (Gabrielle Union), rejected him over his sexuality when he was a teen. But he soon realizes that life in the Marines isn’t any easier, as he experiences intimidation from his sadistic sergeant, Leland Laws (Bokeem Woodbine). Ellis finds some comfort from his superior, Rosales (Raúl Castillo), who’s a bit more sympathetic towards, but not fully accepting of, him.

But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, Ellis still finds unexpected camaraderie, strength and support from most of his colleagues in his new community. As a result, he garners a hard-earned sense of belonging that will forever shape his identity and change his life.

‘The Inspection’ is being distributed on Blu-ra and DVD today, February 21 from A24 and Lionsgate. The movie’s disc release comes after it was unveiled On Demand on December 22, on VOD on January 24 and in theaters on November 18.

The feature’s theatrical distribution came a month after it served as the Closing Night selection of last fall’s New York Film Festival (NYFF). Before its public screening at the festival, Bratton was joined by Pope, Union and Castillo, as well as two of the drama’s producers, Effie Brown and Chester Algernal Gordon, to participate in a press conference at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. The press conference was moderated by the NYFF’s Executive Director, Eugene Hernandez. Watch the full press conference in the video above.