Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence makes use of writing as a way of world-building. Raised in each Washington, D.C. and Honolulu, Hawai’i in “a family of activists, critical race theorists, and freedom fighters,” the author, director, and producer grew up with no scarcity of storytelling inspiration.
She received her begin in theater, working alongside notable figures together with Anna Deavere Smith, Diane Paulus, and Kerry Washington. After writing and performing performs equivalent to “Holding: A Queer Black Love Story,” “Black Magic,” and “I, Too, Am Harvard,” Matsuda-Lawrence shifted to on-screen tasks.
Much like her performs, Matsuda-Lawrence’s work explores the nuances of Black love, friendships, private progress, and on a regular basis struggles. She expertly combines comedy with an earnest intent, creating a real and relatable viewing expertise for her viewers. In 2020, she landed her first main TV credit score as story editor and author for Season 2 of Lena Waithe’s “Boomerang.” Continuing her work with Waithe, Matsuda-Lawrence got here on board for “Twenties,” in 2020 and 2021. The BET present facilities on three girls who’re navigating careers and relationships in Los Angeles.
Matsuda-Lawrence not too long ago took on her first mission as an government producer, Megan Trufant Tillman’s quick movie “Little Trumpet.” Set within the seventh Ward of New Orleans, the 30-minute drama explores the life of a nine-year-old boy who desperately needs his brother to train him to play the trumpet. The 2022 quick explores themes of loss, isolation, and childhood innocence whereas rising up in a traditionally violent space, sparking conversations about childhood trauma and the resilience of Black communities in New Orleans. “Little Trumpet” made its approach across the pageant circuit up to now few months, touchdown the Louisiana Short Jury Award on the New Orleans Film Festival in November in addition to Best Narrative Short at Brooklyn’s Bushwhack Film Festival.
In addition to writing for the display screen and stage, Matsuda-Lawrence additionally pens essays, many of which have been revealed by Time Magazine, MTV Books, and Simon & Schuster, amongst others. In “On Being Black and Asian in America,” she explores her experiences as a biracial lady. From moments of checking a field to point out identification to coping with self-perception by way of her white friends, Matsuda-Lawrence reckons with what it means to be Black and Asian within the U.S. with candor. One part examines the shortage of progress for Black folks in America: “It’s been 400 years, and we are still waiting, always waiting — for a country that will never protect us,” she observes.
Watch “Twenties” on BET and study extra about Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence on her web site.
Discussion about this post