Zola: A wild rollercoaster ride - one of the most exciting films of the year

“Y'all wanna hear a story about why me & this b*tch here fell out? It’s kind of long but full of suspense.” A’ziah ‘Zola’ King’s casual encounter with a customer at the Hooters where she used to waitress went viral in 2015 when Zola posted an epic 148-tweet thread relaying their meeting, ensuing road trip, and ultimate descent into chaos. Now, Janicza Bravo adapts this beyond bonkers story to the screen in - as our Cinema Programme Coordinator Melissa tells us - one of the most exciting films of the year.

It goes as such: Zola meets Stefani whilst waitressing. The two bond over their pole dancing, exchange numbers, and the very next day, Stefani asks Zola to join her on a road trip. The goal: make as much money as possible dancing in Florida’s strip clubs. Zola agrees, but soon enough, things take a turn - and then take ten turns - and Zola realises this is most definitely not what she signed up for. First, there’s Stefani’s somewhat bizarre relationships with her boyfriend Jarrett and her nameless roommate, who are both accompanying the pair to Florida. Then, there’s the change of plans. Things begin to escalate quickly, then get out of control, and before she knows it, Zola is running for her life in a hotel corridor.