Exclusive: D. Smith’s breakout documentary Kokomo City, a top contender for Oscar recognition, will make its debut on Showtime and Paramount+ on February 2, Deadline can reveal.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
A4’s supernatural horror Talk To Me opens the debut film by Australian brothers and popular YouTubers Danny and Michael Philippou on 2,300 screens. Strong reviews (see Deadline’s here), A24 large built-in fan base and its elevated horror cred saw a Thursday gross of $1.25 million, looking to top a $4-5M weekend.
The Sundance-premiering pic follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand and become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Michael Philippou gleefully freaked out a Comic-Con event last week with a stunt that saw him possessed by an embalmed hand before meeting what appeared to be a bloody end. Stars Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji and Joe Bird. Written by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou.
Limited openings: Music Box Pictures presents The Unknown Country by Morissa Maltz...
The Sundance-premiering pic follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand and become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Michael Philippou gleefully freaked out a Comic-Con event last week with a stunt that saw him possessed by an embalmed hand before meeting what appeared to be a bloody end. Stars Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji and Joe Bird. Written by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou.
Limited openings: Music Box Pictures presents The Unknown Country by Morissa Maltz...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with more reaction from Kokomo City cast and producers from original 8:12 p.m. story: The director and subjects of Kokomo City are expressing shock over the death of Rasheeda Williams, one of the trans women featured in the award-winning documentary, who reportedly was shot to death in Atlanta Tuesday night.
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
- 4/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Punchy delivery styles, shimmering personalities and kaleidoscopic perspectives make up the soul of D. Smith’s gutsy documentary Kokomo City, which chronicles the experiences of four Black trans women sex workers living in New York and Atlanta. The principal participants — Daniella Carter, Dominique Silver, Koko Da Doll and Liyah Mitchell — are an electric bunch, and the diversity of their testimonies propels this worthwhile project into refreshing, uninhibited territory.
From its opening moments, Kokomo City distinguishes itself from other documentaries — including its antecedent and most obvious point of comparison, Paris Is Burning. Instead of an expository voiceover or an establishing montage, we get Mitchell — sitting in her bedroom, hair wrapped in a silk scarf — telling us about a near-fatal encounter with a client. The story begins on a sober note and gains more levity as Mitchell burrows into the details of each scene: the client walking into her apartment, her split-second decision to steal his gun,...
From its opening moments, Kokomo City distinguishes itself from other documentaries — including its antecedent and most obvious point of comparison, Paris Is Burning. Instead of an expository voiceover or an establishing montage, we get Mitchell — sitting in her bedroom, hair wrapped in a silk scarf — telling us about a near-fatal encounter with a client. The story begins on a sober note and gains more levity as Mitchell burrows into the details of each scene: the client walking into her apartment, her split-second decision to steal his gun,...
- 2/17/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
At its best, Sundance is really about Cinderella stories — the starving artists who come to Utah hoping to captivate audiences comprised of the industry and the public, effectively crashing the gates of Hollywood.
The most compelling pair of glass slippers at the festival this year belonged to D. Smith, whose directorial debut “Kokomo City” claimed two big awards in the Next section: the coveted audience award and Adobe’s Innovator prize. The film follows four Black trans sex workers in America and is unflinching in its depiction of sex, identity politics and (gasp) levity.
“Kokomo City” is a rare entry in the queer nonfiction genre, in that it does not focus solely on the trauma of marginalized people. The film is so dynamic that the lone juror handing out awards in the Next section, Madeleine Olnek, called it “the funniest movie that has ever played Sundance.”
Following her big win,...
The most compelling pair of glass slippers at the festival this year belonged to D. Smith, whose directorial debut “Kokomo City” claimed two big awards in the Next section: the coveted audience award and Adobe’s Innovator prize. The film follows four Black trans sex workers in America and is unflinching in its depiction of sex, identity politics and (gasp) levity.
“Kokomo City” is a rare entry in the queer nonfiction genre, in that it does not focus solely on the trauma of marginalized people. The film is so dynamic that the lone juror handing out awards in the Next section, Madeleine Olnek, called it “the funniest movie that has ever played Sundance.”
Following her big win,...
- 1/30/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Magnolia Pictures releases the film in theaters on Friday, July 28.
D. Smith knows how to make a person stand up and pay attention. From the rollicking opening scene of “Kokomo City” — her luminous documentary portrait of four Black trans sex workers which she shot, edited, and directed — it’s clear the terms are being set by a visionary artist who just happened to funnel her interdisciplinary talents into filmmaking for this particular project. How lucky we are that she found this medium.
“Kokomo City” may be her filmmaking debut, but this songwriter innately understands the rhythms and beats that make compelling cinematic storytelling. You can see it in the staccato contrast of light and dark in her elegant black-and-white photography. You can hear it in the unexpected needle drops and deep-cut tracks, and you can feel it...
D. Smith knows how to make a person stand up and pay attention. From the rollicking opening scene of “Kokomo City” — her luminous documentary portrait of four Black trans sex workers which she shot, edited, and directed — it’s clear the terms are being set by a visionary artist who just happened to funnel her interdisciplinary talents into filmmaking for this particular project. How lucky we are that she found this medium.
“Kokomo City” may be her filmmaking debut, but this songwriter innately understands the rhythms and beats that make compelling cinematic storytelling. You can see it in the staccato contrast of light and dark in her elegant black-and-white photography. You can hear it in the unexpected needle drops and deep-cut tracks, and you can feel it...
- 1/26/2023
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to “Kokomo City,” the feature directorial debut of Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith. The pact comes after the film’s world premiere in Sundance’s Next section. It marks Magnolia’s second acquisition at the festival, following its pickup of “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”
Smith filmed and edited the look at four transgender Black sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver. “Kokomo City” was executive produced by Lena Waithe. It will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year.
“’Kokomo City’ is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures. “Hilarious, revelatory and wildly entertaining, and with a soundtrack for the ages, the film demolishes preconceived notions and announces a major multi-talent to the film world. We can’t...
Smith filmed and edited the look at four transgender Black sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver. “Kokomo City” was executive produced by Lena Waithe. It will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year.
“’Kokomo City’ is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures. “Hilarious, revelatory and wildly entertaining, and with a soundtrack for the ages, the film demolishes preconceived notions and announces a major multi-talent to the film world. We can’t...
- 1/22/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights at the Sundance Film Festival to Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of two-time Grammy-nominated producer-singer-songwriter D. Smith, who made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show. Smith also filmed and edited this wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary that passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – as they hold nothing back while breaking down the walls of their profession.
The film, executive produced by Lena Waithe, played in Sundance’s Next section and will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year. They burned the midnight oil on this one, with negotiations lasting till the wee hours.
“Kokomo City is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles. “Hilarious,...
The film, executive produced by Lena Waithe, played in Sundance’s Next section and will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year. They burned the midnight oil on this one, with negotiations lasting till the wee hours.
“Kokomo City is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles. “Hilarious,...
- 1/22/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed emerging filmmaker D. Smith, whose documentary Kokomo City will world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later today.
The project marking Smith’s feature directorial debut captures a raw, edgy, and rare look into the lives of Black tran sex workers in New York and Georgia, while exploring their relationship with the Black community and themselves. In “sharing reflections on knotty desire, far-reaching taboo, identification in labor, and gender’s many meanings,” per the Sundance program, “these women offer an unapologetic and cutting analysis of Black culture and society at large from a vantage point that is vibrating with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom.”
Kokomo City‘s first in-person screening at Sundance will take place at 5:30 p.m. Mst tonight at Park City, Utah’s Egyptian Theatre. The film will next go on to make its international premiere as part of the Panorama section...
The project marking Smith’s feature directorial debut captures a raw, edgy, and rare look into the lives of Black tran sex workers in New York and Georgia, while exploring their relationship with the Black community and themselves. In “sharing reflections on knotty desire, far-reaching taboo, identification in labor, and gender’s many meanings,” per the Sundance program, “these women offer an unapologetic and cutting analysis of Black culture and society at large from a vantage point that is vibrating with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom.”
Kokomo City‘s first in-person screening at Sundance will take place at 5:30 p.m. Mst tonight at Park City, Utah’s Egyptian Theatre. The film will next go on to make its international premiere as part of the Panorama section...
- 1/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Lost Ones, a newly launched production company, is unveiling a North American distribution arm. The first film that the company will debut will be “Venus as a Boy,” an art culture romance that will premiere on video-on-demand on Sept. 24.
Utopia will handle worldwide sales of the film, which had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The company’s head of sales David Betesh will oversee the process. “Venus as a Boy” was written, directed and stars Ty Hodges, who previously appeared on Disney’s “Even Stevens” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed.” He appears alongside actress and model Olivia Culpo (“I Feel Pretty”), Trace Lysette (“Transparent”), Bai Ling (“The Crow”), and musicians Estelle and Stacy Barthe.
The film follows Hunter (Hodges), a freewheeling artist navigating heartbreak, addiction, and L.A.’s gallery scene. After refusing to sell a painting to an eager buyer, a chance encounter...
Utopia will handle worldwide sales of the film, which had its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The company’s head of sales David Betesh will oversee the process. “Venus as a Boy” was written, directed and stars Ty Hodges, who previously appeared on Disney’s “Even Stevens” and “Don’t Look Under the Bed.” He appears alongside actress and model Olivia Culpo (“I Feel Pretty”), Trace Lysette (“Transparent”), Bai Ling (“The Crow”), and musicians Estelle and Stacy Barthe.
The film follows Hunter (Hodges), a freewheeling artist navigating heartbreak, addiction, and L.A.’s gallery scene. After refusing to sell a painting to an eager buyer, a chance encounter...
- 9/1/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Mary J. Blige has dropped a new single, “Can’t Be Life,” featured on the soundtrack to the film Body Cam. Blige penned the song with frequent collaborators Denise Rich, Chucky Thompson, Stacy Barthe, Aaron Philips and Jimmy Cozier; it was produced by Chucky Thompson.
“I’ve been torn down like a worn-down, crumbling building/But I’m up now, and I’m up now, and I’m still living,” Blige sings, offering words of encouragement, hope and resilience throughout the track.
Body Cam is available today on streaming and digital download.
“I’ve been torn down like a worn-down, crumbling building/But I’m up now, and I’m up now, and I’m still living,” Blige sings, offering words of encouragement, hope and resilience throughout the track.
Body Cam is available today on streaming and digital download.
- 5/22/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Reggae and dancehall mainstay Shaggy will release his first solo album in six years, Wah Gwaan?!, May 10th. Per a statement, the new record will embody Shaggy’s “Jamaican roots, global reach, contagious joy and introspective side.” Shaggy first teased the record last November with the release of his new single, “Use Me” (an official music video is set to arrive soon).
Wah Gwaan?! will feature a slew of collaborations, including tracks with 19-year-old Canadian singer Alexander Stewart (“You”), dancehall star Shenseea and singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe (“Supernatural”), Brooklyn dancehall artist...
Wah Gwaan?! will feature a slew of collaborations, including tracks with 19-year-old Canadian singer Alexander Stewart (“You”), dancehall star Shenseea and singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe (“Supernatural”), Brooklyn dancehall artist...
- 2/7/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
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