‘Kokomo City’ at O Cinema
Miami native D. Smith makes her directorial debut with the award-winning documentary, “Kokomo City,” opening Aug. 4 at O Cinema South Beach in Miami Beach.
Smith, a two-time Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter who made history as the first transgender woman cast on a prime-time unscripted TV show, also filmed and edited the film, which hands the microphone to four Black trans sex workers in Atlanta and New York City.
The women – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – provide searing descriptions of the danger and hardships they face, and their stories earned Smith awards at the Sundance and SXSW film festival. The film is dedicated to Da Doll, who was killed in April.
The child of an acclaimed drummer, Smith wrote her first songs as a child for the church choir and later teamed up with songwriter Stacy Barthe to create hits on the Universal label for Lil Wayne, Cee-lo Green, Fantasia, Ne-Yo and Billy Porter.
In 2014, Smith decided to live her truth and transition. She was unaware at the time the decision would hold dire consequences for her career, but noted the challenges ultimately led to the film project. “Kokomo City” is currently being distributed by Magnolia Pictures.
“Kokomo City” by D. Smith opens Aug. 4 at O Cinema South Beach, 1130 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. For tickets and show times, go to O-Cinema.org.
‘I Remember’ at Savor Cinema
Funny guy Peter Bisuito is reaching the for the stars once again. The local comedian devoted several years to a hopeful sitcom pilot (“Vent & Chester”) and now “I Remember,” his latest big screen project, is debuting on Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m. at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale.
Derek Dawson’s husband Dom is missing, but Derek must overcome repressed memory loss to find him – if he can only remember – teases press materials. Robert Koutras stars as Derek and Bisuito is Dom in the feature filmed in familiar Wilton Manors locations.
The rom-com may seem like a departure for Bisuito, who goes for quick, sometimes raunchy punchlines on stage as “My Big Funny Peter,” but he remains hopeful. The screening is sold out.
For more information about “I Remember” and to view the trailer, go to MyBigFunnyPeter.com.