Nabil Elderkin – or just Nabil, as he is more widely known – is the man responsible for the aesthetically brilliant music videos for the likes of Kanye West, Bon Iver, and countless other cultural icons of the moment (many of which have gone on to become viral sensations). And as of last week, Nabil made his directorial debut with a world premiere screening of Gully at the Tribeca Film Festival. Nabil takes the same cinematically-styled approach as he does in his music videos to bring screenwriter Marcus J. Guillory’s emotionally-drenched drama to life.

Gully is billed as a “slightly dystopian version of LA.” While there is truth in that observation, the dystopia isn’t a farfetched depiction of chaos – it’s all rooted in reality, which makes for an even more affecting watch. Best friends Jesse (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Calvin (Jacob Latimore), and Nicky (Charlie Plummer) live within blocks of each other on the streets of South Central LA and all come from troubled backgrounds. The effects of abuse, mental health issues, and an overall lack of supervision are contributing factors to the boys’ tough outer shells and disregard for others around them. Out of boredom and abandonment, the boys cause fun-minded havoc around their impoverished community, despite the ominous warnings from the local homeless prophet, Mr. Christmas (Terrence Howard). They may have been forced to grow up prematurely, but these are still young boys in need of a childhood, trying to figure out who they are and where they’re going amidst the chaos and unfair dealings that life has in store for them.

Read More: A Beginner’s Guide To: Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Combining mixed animation, a pulsating soundtrack, and captivating performances from this trio of rising talent – Latimore, Plummer, and Harrison Jr. – Gully is a bold feature for everyone involved, both in front of and behind the lens. Amber Heard, John Corbett, Robin Givens, and Jonathan Majors lend emotional depth and stability to the film as supporting actors (with a special cameo by Travis Scott in an enjoyable surprise). Together, Nabil and Guillory have created a film as untethered as its leads, even forgoing a traditional three-act structure in favor of a looser and unpredictable vibe.

Gully is a reflection of a modern-day society devoid of the rose-tinted glasses often worn by the privileged. Our protagonists come from a marginalized group of underrepresented kids who have been and continue to be, in some cases, overlooked by the rest of society. This disregard for the troubled is a stain on the idealized image of any city striving for inclusion and prosperity for all. If the goal behind Gully is to evoke emotion, then Nabil and company should know that this film is a success.

This review originally ran on May 2, 2019 during the Tribeca Film Festival

Distributed by Vertical Entertainment, ‘Gully’ is now playing in select theaters with an On Demand and Digital release from Paramount Home Entertainment on June 8th.