Nesta Cooper is bringing the story of activist and creator Okayemba Smith to the display screen in Kemba. Directed by Kelley Kali for MPI Original Films and BET, Kemba is a drama impressed by the true occasions of Smiths biography at simply 24, she was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal jail for collaborating in her boyfriends drug operation, regardless of being a first-time, nonviolent offender in addition to her lifelong venture of legal justice reform in America. Deadline broke the news.
Cooper, who stars in Apple TV+ sci-fi See, will play Smith, a promising school pupil who fall in love, unbeknownst to that incontrovertible fact that her boyfriend is a drug kingpin who will corrupt her life with abuse, manipulation, and ultimately, a jail sentence of practically two-and-a-half a long time. With Stacey Parks and Lana Link 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 characteristic Im Fine (Thanks for Asking), for which she and co-helmer Angelique Molina gained a Special Jury Award on the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. 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 lady chosen to direct the first-ever Creole dramatic TV collection Noh Matta Wat.”
Coopers movie credit embrace Bliss,” a drama starring Salma Hayek, and teen comedy Reality High.”
Kemba can have its tv premiere on BET, with extra launch and distribution plans set to be introduced at a later date.
