SCHWARZE FRÜCHTE

Black Fruits

Dramedy series

In the presence of Lamin Leroy Gibba, David Uzochukwu & Elisha Smith-Leverock

In cooperation with Black & Queer NRW, ISD Cologne, Oya Cologne, People of Deutschland & Black German Arts & Culture e.V.

from 18:30 Admission
19:00: Screening of episodes 1-3
20:45: Artists Talk
21:45: Screening of episodes 4-6

When Lalo (Lamin Leroy Gibba) is thrown off course by the sudden death of his father in the middle of his twenties, he tries to suppress his loss by rushing into action, which not only throws his own life off course. While his best friend Karla (Melodie Simina) achieves her career goals in the world of finance, she feels increasingly exhausted and lonely. Over the course of the season, Lalo and Karla try - misstep by misstep - to do the right thing. They want to become the people they want to be, while learning the limits of their own adaptability. "Black Fruits" opens up a cosmos of complex characters who are confronted with questions of self-discovery and self-realization. Their different life plans clash with contradictory views and ambivalent moral concepts. This provides space for repartee and speechlessness, generational conflicts, flirtations and growing pains. The focused, subjective and pop-savvy visual realization of the series, directed by Elisha Smith-Leverock and David Uzochukwu, allows viewers to immerse themselves directly in the emotional world of the characters. "Black Fruits" is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of emotions. In addition to Lamin Leroy Gibba, the other members of the writing team are Sophia Ayissi, Naomi Kelechi Odhiambo, Lisa Tracy Michalik and Sarah Claire Wray. Lamin Leroy Gibba and Melodie Simina play the leading roles. Other roles are played by Vanessa Yeboah, Benjamin Radjaipour, Daniel Hernandez, Nick Romeo Reimann, Simon Kluth, Thapelo Mashiane, Christine Rollar, Sheri Hagen, Jerry Kwarteng and others. Tsellot Melesse & Teresia Harris are responsible for the casting. "Schwarze Früchte" is a co-production of Jünglinge Film (Producers: Faraz Shariat, Paulina Lorenz; Producer: Raquel Dukpa), Studio Zentral (Producer: Lasse Scharpen; Producer: Olivia Kpalété) and ARD Degeto Film. The film is edited by Carolin Haasis and Christoph Pellander (ARD Degeto Film). "Schwarze Früchte" is supported by MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein. The series will celebrate its world premiere at the renowned Tribeca Film Festival in New York in June. Dating, career, self-determination - being young is a quest. With his specific perspective, creator, lead actor and head writer Lamin Leroy Gibba creates a dramedy series and opens up a dynamic insight into the realities of life for black and queer characters in an unconventional, self-confident way and with a casual balance of seriousness, irony and authenticity.

In this contemporary coming-of-age series, universal themes such as friendship, identity, loss and new beginnings unfold over eight episodes.