Xavier (Jamal Gamble) is a mild-mannered young man watching his entire world unravel around him. Old cafes and restaurants close down, streets receive different names and friends move to cities near and far. Inevitably, it leaves Xavier at the center of assimilating to the new vision of East Austin. When old friends resurface alongside the shifting dynamic of his hometown, love and resentment come to a standoff with Xavier stuck in the middle.

Alejandro Hendricks creates a dynamic portrait of an evershifting world alongside rich characters in his directorial debut that’s brimming with confidence. The inspirations are clear and well-honored, but his voice feels ever-present in driving forward an unflinching, cinematic experience. If that isn’t enough, throw in a jazz musical set in the “live music capital of the World." Prepare for a bold new take on the perspective of adulthood, intimacy and loss as black men and women navigate an era of cultural and geographical isolation.—Casey Baron