Hello and welcome to the Scene 2 Lakes podcast. I’m Valerie Complex, associate editor and writer at Deadline.
Today we talk to TV and film director Thembi Banks about her debut film as a director Young wild and free, which premiered at Sundance and stars Algee Smith, Sanaa Lathan, Sierra Capri and Mike Epps. The film was produced by Charles D. King, James Lopez, Poppy Hanks, Tommy Oliver, Baron Davis and Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd and written by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier.
Young wild and free follows Brandon (Smith), who, between struggling at school, caring for his two younger siblings, and having just been laid off from his job, tends to use his art as an escape from the constraints of his subdued everyday life. Cassidy comes in (Capri, On my block), a blind bad girl dripping with confidence, freedom and danger. Attracted by her stubbornness, Brandon teams up with Cassidy and seamlessly shifts from the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they embark on an increasingly dangerous path.
Banks is an award-winning writer and director from Harlem, New York. Her directing work includes episodes of Uncertain And The sex lives of college girls. She also wrote on the Emmy-nominated series Only murders in the building. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, where she majored in theater. She has an MFA from USC’s Film and Television Production program.
In today’s episode, Banks and I discuss what it’s like working as a director on the East Coast versus the West Coast, what life has been like since her movie premiered at Sundance, and the understated aspects of indie filmmaking.
If you like what you hear, check out, like and subscribe to the Scene to Seen podcast on Apple, Spotify and iHeart.
Source: Deadline
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
