Shatara Michelle Ford's 'Dreams in Nightmares' Follows Black Queer Artists on a Road Trip
In her second feature, 'Dreams in Nightmares,' Shatara Michelle Ford tells the story of three Black women artists—Zuleka (Denée Benton), Tasha (Sasha Compère), and Lauren (Dezi Bing)—who embark on a cross-country journey to locate their missing friend Kel (Mars Storm Rucker) after losing their jobs. They forgo a planned trip to the Dominican Republic, opting instead for Iowa City, where they learn from Kel's ex, Sabrina (Jasmin Savoy Brown), that Kel vanished seven months prior. The group travels to Kansas City and Santa Fe, delving into the experiences of Black queer and trans individuals in 2023. The film features a mix of philosophical conversations and personal moments, utilizing Yelp to seek out Black-owned establishments, echoing the Green Book. It begins with a vision of Black farmworkers and is characterized as a 'wise, loving, political paean to the life of art.'
Key facts
- 'Dreams in Nightmares' is Shatara Michelle Ford's second feature film.
- The film stars Denée Benton, Sasha Compère, Dezi Bing, and Mars Storm Rucker.
- Three friends lose their jobs and set out on a road trip to find missing artist Kel.
- The journey goes from Brooklyn to Iowa City, Kansas City, and Santa Fe.
- The film is set in 2023 and addresses the political climate of the Trump era.
- The review compares the film to Michelangelo Antonioni's 'L'Avventura'.
- A poetry reading in Pittsburgh features performances by Joss Barton and Dezi Bing.
- Unlike 'L'Avventura,' the missing character Kel is found at the end.
- The cast includes Charlie Barnett and Jasmin Savoy Brown.
Entities
Artists
- Shatara Michelle Ford
- Denée Benton
- Sasha Compère
- Dezi Bing
- Mars Storm Rucker
- Jasmin Savoy Brown
- Charlie Barnett
- Joss Barton
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Ernest Hemingway
Institutions
- Yelp
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Brooklyn
- Iowa City
- Kansas City
- Santa Fe
- Pittsburgh
- United States
- Dominican Republic