Director/co-writer Mark Amin's historical drama is based on the true story of Shields Green, a.k.a. "Emperor": an outlaw ex-slave in the pre-Civil War South. Starring Dayo Okeniyi, Kat Graham, Bruce Dern, James Cromwell, and Mykelti Williamson, it follows the eponymous character's daring exploits as he escapes slavery and heads northward. He allies with abolitionist John Brown in the battle at Harpers Ferry – fueled by the desire to secure his family's freedom.