Atlanta, Georgia Local News
“Mixed girl”: A short film on biracial identity struggles and trauma
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Skin completion can significantly affect one’s confidence and sense of belonging. Members of biracial families face these issues the most. This matter is illustrated throughout the short film Mixed Girl. Directed by Des Gray and produced by entrepreneur and Love and Hip Hop star Yandy Smith, Mixed Girl explores a young woman’s struggle with identity and trauma.
“We wanted to create a movie where we talk about something that society doesn’t usually speak about, what a mixed girl goes through. This film really touches on the emotional effect that it has on you. Women who are biracial feel like they don’t belong in society and are confused about who they are,” said Des Gray.
Mixed Girl was released in Fall 2023. It is available now for streaming on Crackle, Tubi, and Revolt. Mixed Girl stars Jermaine Carter, Mikaela Seamans, and Livia Jarcem. The film is about Leslie, a white alcoholic, drug-addicted, and vicious teenage mother who falls for James, a black college student she meets at a fraternity party. Unbeknownst to James, she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a biracial baby girl. Burdened and left to raise two children, Leslie spirals into a world of chaos and alcohol abuse. Years later, James learns he fathered a troubled adolescent daughter and seeks to take custody. They battle to overcome her traumatic childhood as they bridge the gap between their two different worlds.
“The media portrays black men in a certain light, especially in these movies. We like to vilify black men; in this story, the black father is a hero,” said Yandy Smith.
“He is the Savior of this young girl’s life. He didn’t have to be, but he stepped up to the plate once he realized the initial plan of her terminating the pregnancy didn’t happen. When he found out he had a daughter, he could have hidden it and made his life easier. He didn’t, and now he has to redefine his existence for a child that was dealt a very difficult hand of cards,” said Smith.
The film won the award for best social impact at the 2022 City of Angels Women’s Film Festival. Smith got involved with the project because she believed in Gray’s abilities as a director.
Before MixedGirl, Gray worked on music videos for Chris Brown, Rick Ross, and Future. She even shot the 2022 rap cipher for BET’s Hiphop Awards. Mixed Girl is Gray’s first film. The material was strong enough to get the attention of Money Bagg Yo. Gray collaborated with the Memphis rapper to release Mix Girl on his streaming platform, Bread Gang TV, in December 2023. It is the first film released on the platform.
“Andre King-Holland is my business partner and Money Bag Yo’s partner for Bread Gang TV. The relationship started with him. I spoke to MoneyBagg Yo, and he loved the film. He said it was really good, and I should do the whole thing,” said Gray.
What next for Gray and Smith is seeking investors for Mixed Girl to evolve into a full-feature film.
The duo will continue to promote the film to reach more people struggling with identity issues.
I want the audience to leave with a message about facing your trauma. A lot of times, if you don’t face your trauma at an early age, it’s going to affect how you view things in your life. Ashlyn battled mental depression, identity issues, and not loving herself enough. How you treat your kids from inside your household is how they will look at themselves when they are in the world,” said Gray.
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Clayton Gutzmore
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