A rare gemstone. This film was a diamond amongst peridot (and I’m an August baby, so I can snap on my own shit).

Wow… I did not want this film to end.

At first, I really couldn’t tell if it was a narrative short or a documentary. One hint, though, was that I’d peeped a snapshot of the actor who played Chiron’s teen bully in “Moonlight,” (or at least I thought I did)…

… as soon as I saw him, I had an inkling that this truly was a narrative short, and that it HAD to be a Florida/Liberty City specific-type project. 

 

 

 

 

 

And, I was right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the sort of escapism and odes to Blackness that I yearn for on film. The exploration of our interests, diverse livings, attitudes, style, art. “T” was an amalgamation of so much. So Black.  

 

I did not want it to end.

 

Man, kudos to the director, Keisha Rae Witherspoon. I bangs with her aesthetic heavy, bruh. 

Loved that the cinematography (shouts to Terence Price II), and the documentary-styled introduction to our main characters, was reminiscent of Jennie Livingston’s “Paris is Burning.” And, if I’m not mistaken, the white font on the black background was identical to the intros used in that iconic doc. Man…👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

 

I hope, wish, and pray that Witherspoon gets all the opportunities to explore the breadth and nuances of our existence.

WE need this art.

WE need her eye.

 

“T” explored how grief isn’t identical for anyone. The film showcased what honoring a lost loved one could look like, but via a garment or costume as a means of expression.

Man, what an incredible feature. It’s hard to articulate how this fed my soul.

I appreciated that the film didn’t focus on how any of the lost ones passed on. We just understand that they aren’t there to celebrate with their loved ones anymore. When I hear words like “homegoing” and “celebration of life,”  I think I’ve always wanted to see a celebration such as the one presented in this short film.

Incredible art. I yearn for more of it.