Kevin Costner‘s racial drama “Black or White” will open in limited engagement for one week on Dec. 3 to qualify for awards consideration, distributor Relativity Media said Wednesday.
“Black or White,” which was written and directed by Costner’s “Upside of Anger” collaborator Mike Binder, will then have a platform release on Jan. 23, 2015, and expand on Jan. 30.
Costner stars as a man left to care for his beloved bi-racial granddaughter. When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer of “The Help”) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding.
Costner, Binder and Todd Lewis produced the film, which was at one point titled “Black and White.” Relativity acquired it this fall, after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In August, the film screened at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Boston.
During a Q&A that followed, Costner spoke openly about the challenges of obtaining financing to make the film.
“I just thought it was an interesting movie … I can’t speak for why [no one would finance it]. I know a lot of people want to make these big, giant movies and I understand … But I thought this movie is just as valid as those movies. So that’s why I made it,” the Oscar winner said at the time.