A Journey Through Black LGBTQIA+ Artistry
DENIM is a groundbreaking docu-series that shatters conventional documentary filmmaking. DENIM is directed by TEDRA, known also as TT The Artist. Fresh from her debut feature "Dark City Beneath The Beat," TEDRA employs her masterful visual storytelling to illuminate the lives of three remarkable Black LGBTQIA+ artists, each segment as distinct as its subject.
The pilot, structured as a triptych, demonstrates TEDRA's extraordinary versatility as a director. Her approach to each story is notably distinct, yet unified by an unwavering commitment to celebrating individual expression. For rising hip-hop artist Kidd Kenn, TEDRA crafts an out-of-this-world hyperrealistic wonderland where vibrant colors and surreal props – including a human brain – mirror his boundary-pushing presence in hip-hop. The result is a visual spectacle that perfectly complements Kenn's bold mission to redefine the face of hip-hop.
Shifting gears dramatically, TEDRA adopts an intimate, grounded aesthetic for Project Runway All-Stars winner Bishme Cromartie. Through meticulous close-ups of his design process, we witness not just his craftsmanship but also the vulnerable moments as Bishme shares his coming out story. The raw authenticity of this segment provides a powerful contrast to Kenn's stylized world.
Perhaps the most ambitious segment features hair stylist Deniim, where TEDRA boldly ventures into animation - collaborating with animator Namen Basil. Here, her background as a musician shines through, as she weaves melody and rhythm into Deniim's gender transition narrative. The result is a mesmerizing fusion of visual art and musical storytelling that elevates the emotional resonance of Deniim's journey.
DENIM is extraordinary in showcasing TEDRA's ability to adapt her directorial approach to each subject while maintaining a cohesive vision. She seamlessly blends different visual styles without losing sight of the series' core mission: celebrating LGBTQIA+ creativity in its most authentic form.
As DENIM prepares for its festival circuit debut in 2025, it promises to be more than just another series pilot. It's a bold statement about representation, artistic freedom, and the power of letting artists tell their stories on their own terms. TEDRA has created something rare: a series that's both a visual showcase and a deeply personal exploration of identity, creativity, and courage.
Watch for DENIM at film festivals in 2025 – it's poised to redefine what documentary storytelling can achieve when vision meets authenticity.