Nesta Cooper is bringing the story of activist and writer Okayemba Smith to the display screen in “Kemba.” Directed by Kelley Kali for MPI Unique Movies and BET, “Kemba” is a drama impressed by the true occasions of Smith’s biography – at simply 24, she was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal jail for taking part in her boyfriend’s drug operation, regardless of being a first-time, nonviolent offender – in addition to her lifelong undertaking of prison justice reform in America. Deadline broke the information.
Cooper, who stars in Apple TV+ sci-fi “See,” will play Smith, a promising faculty scholar who fall in love, unbeknownst to that indisputable fact that her boyfriend is a drug kingpin who will corrupt her life with abuse, manipulation, and finally, a jail sentence of almost two-and-a-half a long time. With Stacey Parks and Lana Hyperlink among the many producers in addition to Smith herself govt producing, “Kemba” will sort out institutional racism, racial inequality, and jail reform. Principal pictures will start in Atlanta this October.
Kali lately co-wrote, co-directed, produced, and starred in function “I’m Tremendous (Thanks for Asking),” for which she and co-helmer Angelique Molina received a Particular Jury Award on the 2021 SXSW Movie Competition. The comedic drama follows a houseless mom who convinces her eight-year-old daughter that they’re merely tenting for enjoyable. Kali made historical past as the one girl chosen to direct the first-ever Creole dramatic TV sequence “Noh Matta Wat.”
Cooper’s movie credit embody “Bliss,” a drama starring Salma Hayek, and teenage comedy “Actuality Excessive.”
“Kemba” may have its tv premiere on BET, with further launch and distribution plans set to be introduced at a later date.
