Drylongso
Director: Cauleen Smith
Actors: Toby Smith, April Barnett, Will Power
PlotSet in Oakland, the film follows Pica, a young art student grappling with the realities of life in her community. Pica is deeply concerned about the rate at which young Black men are dying, either through violence or other societal neglect. Through her photography project, she captures images of ordinary men around her, aiming to preserve their presence before they fade into statistics. Her camera becomes a tool for documentation and resistance, allowing her to voice her distress and pay homage to those whose lives might otherwise go uncelebrated. As Pica traverses the city with her camera, she meets Tobi, a woman who disguises herself as a man to avoid domestic abuse, and this forms an unlikely but meaningful friendship.
Their relationship grows as they navigate personal struggles and societal pressures, finding solace in each other's experiences. Tobi's identity crisis and Pica’s fight against invisibility intersect with themes of survival and resilience, fostering a powerful support system between them. As they confront challenges within their lives and the community at large, they discover ways to assert their identities and influence change. The narrative authentically portrays the intersection of race, gender, and socio-economic issues, emphasizing personal empowerment and community solidarity in the face of adversity. Amid the urban landscapes, their journey reflects ongoing struggles for recognition and justice in humanizing the overlooked stories of their society.
Writers: Salim Akil, Cauleen Smith
Release Date: 17 Oct 1998
Runtime: 86 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
Drylongso offers a fresh perspective on inner-city black life with authentic dialogue and sympathetic characters, supported by strong technical merits.
Read our review of Drylongso Blu-ray to find out more