This first-time filmmaker creates an empathic and visually stunning look at Black trans sex workers for her Sundance debut.
Few documentaries are as cool and hyper-stylized as D. Smith’s filmmaking debut, KOKOMO CITY.
KOKOMO CITY presents the stories of four Black transgender sex works from New York and Georgia. Smith captures the realness of these women through a visual style that is peeking behind the curtain of our expectations of these stories and ourselves. Shot in black and white, the boldness of Smith’s style is realized, even if this is the filmmaker’s first time diving into the world of filmmaking.
Smith, who acts as director, cinematographer, editor, composer, and producer, is daring and unapologetically real in her efforts to capture the analysis of Black culture and society at large. KOKOMO CITY is vulnerable and unapologetic.
Smith sat down with No Film School after the premiere of her film at Sundance 2023 to talk about the inspiration behind this project, working with no budget, and creating a visual style that is true to you.
Author: Alyssa Miller
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
