*Award-winning writer and filmmaker Jana Naomi Smith is breaking new ground with Red for Revolution, a six-part audio drama exploring intergenerational Black womanhood, queer love, and radical activism. The Tribeca Film Festival-winning series, released under Radiotopia from PRX, boasts an all-star cast, including Loretta Devine, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Rutina Wesley.
The podcast also features Jennifer Beals (The L Word), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Nickel Boys), Alimi Ballard (Queen of the South), Vanessa E. Williams (Candyman), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), and New York Times best-selling author adrienne maree brown (Pleasure Activism).
“Our story is a powerful one of belief in oneself, our abilities, collaborative partnership, and not giving up. It is about Black women and women working together to create something meaningful about love and liberation,” series producer Renée Wilson said in a statement.
In our exclusive interview, Smith shared her journey behind Red for Revolution and the importance of amplifying erased histories. Speaking about the inspiration behind the series, she said, “I was grappling with a number of crises, but also witnessing a profound amount of homophobia in the world, and in my orbit. I essentially decided to single-handedly rid the world of homophobia through a podcast.”
Per the official synopsis: Red for Revolution is a scripted audio drama “about Jazmine, who grapples with her queer identity, first crush, and the delicate task of mending her relationship with her homophobic mother––seeks guidance from her grandmother. Listeners are then transported to 1971 and a love affair between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. Two women from vastly different backgrounds with opposing political views embark on a romance defying all conventions.” Listen to the trailer via the player below.
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“I hope this show rekindles folks’ revolutionary spirit and the spirit that inspires people to demand change, to fight for justice, to fight on someone else’s behalf, setting aside our personal comforts and inconveniences to help our world become a better place,” Smith explained.
“I explore so many different facets of love, platonic love, this epic romantic love story that’s at the center of the show… What comes through is the struggle to love and the complexities behind what it takes to love someone fully and healthfully,” she said.
“Our show is an intergenerational show and it essentially takes three generations to get to a place where the characters are where you see the best of what love could look like. So I hope that this show inspires people to love boldly and unapologetically.”
Elsewhere in the discussion, Smith reflects on her broader work as a storyteller committed to amplifying marginalized voices. Watch the exclusive clip below.
Red for Revolution debuted on February 4 via the Radiotopia Presents podcast feed. Learn more about the project HERE.
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