D. Smith, a Florida native, initially found success as a producer and songwriter in the music industry, collaborating with renowned artists like Lil’ Wayne and Katy Perry. However, her life took a drastic turn when she publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2014. Suddenly, Smith faced a pause in her career and suffered the loss of her home and car. Amidst this turbulent time, Smith found solace in buying a camera and quietly began planning her latest project – a documentary titled “Kokomo City.”
“Kokomo City” offers a profound and intimate glimpse into the lives of four Black transgender sex workers: Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell, and Dominique Silver. The film, shot in stylish black-and-white, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January and has now hit theaters. Surprisingly, Smith never intended to be the director of this film. She approached several directors with the idea, but everyone declined. It was these rejections that ultimately led her to take on the directorial role.
Despite experiencing rejection in the music industry, Smith used that experience to establish a genuine and cheerful relationship with the sex workers featured in the film. She acknowledged her difficulties during that period, which created a bond between her and the subjects she aimed to help by sharing their stories. Smith made it clear to them that the film wouldn’t be glamorous, lacking fancy lighting or hair and makeup professionals. It would simply be her and her camera. This authenticity deeply resonated with the sex workers.
Smith also highlights the stress and dehumanization faced by individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. The film addresses the rising violence against the transgender community and realistically portrays moments of trauma and tragedy. One particularly chilling scene involves Mitchell discovering a loaded gun beside a client’s bed just before engaging in sexual acts.
Tragically, Koko Da Doll, also known as Rasheeda Williams, was fatally shot in April, just weeks after the film premiered at Sundance. Nevertheless, Smith was determined to present the Black trans sex workers as more than just victims. She emphasizes the joy and occasional humor found in their private lives. The film also features interviews with trans-attracted men who have had emotional and romantic relationships with these women.
Since its Sundance premiere, “Kokomo City” has received acclaim from critics for its authentic and unexplored portrayal of a marginalized sector within the LGBTQ+ community. The Washington Post describes the film as a contemplation of masculinity, femininity, pleasure, and the societal consequences of denial. The Hollywood Reporter commends Smith for fearlessly venturing into uncharted territory.
Smith is delighted by the success of “Kokomo City” thus far and hopes that the film will humanize and shed light on an often-overlooked and stigmatized subset of the LGBTQ+ community. Through this film, she invites viewers to gain a deeper understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by sex workers and their clients.
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