| Kemba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Kelley Kali |
| Written by | Christine Swanson |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Rasa Partin |
| Edited by | Kristina Kromer |
| Music by | Stanley A. Smith |
Production | |
| Distributed by | BET+ |
Release date |
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Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Kemba is a 2024 American biographical legal drama film written by Christine Swanson and directed by Kelley Kali. The film stars Nesta Cooper, Sean Patrick Thomas and Michelle Hurd. The film based on the true story of Kemba Smith, a college student charged as a co-conspirator to her college boyfriend's drug-trafficking crimes and in 1994 was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison. Her case drew national attention and support from various organizations including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund which ultimately prompted President Bill Clinton to grant her executive clemency after serving 6.5 years. She later become criminal justice advocate and public speaker.[1] Kemba Smith serving as executive producer of the film.[2]
Kemba premiered at the Pan African Film Festival on February 15, 2024.[3] The film was released by BET+ on February 22, 2024.[4][5]
Film critic Josh Bell from Crooked Marquee gave it grade "C" writing: "Prison reform activist Kemba Smith is the kind of person whose life story gets adapted into prime Oscar bait, and this BET original production doesn’t have the resources to do her justice."[6] Amari Allah from Wherever I Look gave it mixed review writing: "I feel very torn about “Kemba.” On the one hand, it highlights a modern victory for the Legal Defense Fund and why the NAACP still matters beyond a talking head commenting on the latest news headline. But at the same time, it overstays its welcome, doesn't really have moving performances, and it overall feels like a story that deserves to be told, just better than this."[7]
