CNN
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Will Ferrell is excited about his heartfelt and insightful new documentary Will & Harper and hopes it inspires compassion and conversation.

The project — about a decades-long friendship between Ferrell and former “Saturday Night Live” head writer Harper Steele, who comes out as transgender for him, spurring the pair to take a road trip together — is currently streaming on Netflix. The timing of the film’s release was an important factor for them.

“When we met with Netflix, we made it clear that we wanted to get the movie out before the election,” Ferrell recently told Variety at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles.

“We wanted it to have enough runway for people to see it and hopefully have important discussions in their living rooms,” he added.

“Will & Harper” explores Steele’s later transition in life and the questions Ferrell has to better understand her experiences. Nothing goes unnoticed during their cross-country road trip, as the two share both heartwarming and challenging moments during their journey in the documentary.

Ferrell said, “It was amazing how we were able to keep the conversation flowing in the car for six hours a day and the depths we explored.”

As transgender rights have become a politicized issue in much of the country, the project proved timely. A study released this week found that suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary young people will increase if anti-trans legislation is passed into state law. For teenagers living in states where these laws are enacted, the increase is as high as 72%.

“We’ve heard from people who say they can’t wait to see the film with friends and family who may not share the same viewpoint, and that they’re looking forward to watching it together,” Ferrell said of his new film. “Hopefully some of this could slowly go away.”