Andscape debuted its first film, Starkeisha, on Hulu. Written and directed by Mo McRae and inspired by the Music For The Movement EP’s, Starkeisha is a visual album that showcases a journey of a young Black woman thrust into a fantastical world of Blackness. The film is produced under McRae’s banner Scalable Content.
Starkeisha tells the story of Mary Jenkins (played by Dom Chanel), a young, Black woman who is climbing the corporate ladder. Her life appears to be headed for an exciting future after landing an interview for her dream job at a top Asset Management Firm. While preparing her resume at home, Mary slips on a spill of water and is thrust into a fantastical world of Black beauty and wonder. In order to get back to her life, Mary must embark on a precarious journey through this dreamy landscape. She’ll be aided by other characters who challenge her sense of self and everything she believes she wants. Mary’s road to enlightenment will put her on a collision course with her innermost fear. To overcome her greatest challenge, she’ll have to find her authentic voice and most importantly… believe.
Raina Kelley, Andscape’s Editor-in-Chief, commented: “Starkeisha marks our first scripted film and our first under the Andscape umbrella which gives voice to creators and stories that stretch Black Expression. We partnered with the amazing Mo McRae for this fantastic and fantastical short film that we are pleased to have debut on another platform from The Walt Disney Company, Hulu.”
McRae added: “Andscape has created an unparalleled place for storytellers to ideate and bring to life content told through the Black lens. The story of Starkeisha may feel particularly personal for a Black audience, but we ensured that the characters and the journey have universal themes that will resonate for a broad audience as well.”
The film is inspired by “Music for the Movement,” a four-part EP series that examines the social injustice in America through music and art. The EPs, which were commissioned through a joint venture between Disney Music Group and Andscape, feature a mix of original music and reimagined covers of historically significant protest songs with contemporary artists and producers. “Music For the Movement” also serves as the official soundtrack to this film. Songs from the first three volumes guide Starkeisha on her compelling journey of self-discovery. Andscape, which launched this month as a rebranded and expanded version of The Undefeated, is increasing development of new products and content; it will debut additional digital, television, film, music, and book content soon.
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