Love Comes Unexpectedly In ‘Umjolo There Is No Cure’

 

Thoko (Londeka Sishi) and Liana (Busisiwe Msthali) take the long route towards love in Mthunzi Dubazana’s Umjolo There Is No Cure. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Hell breaks loose when Thoko Duma, South Africa’s out and proud reigning Beauty Queen disrespects newly crowned Miss Kenya on the radio. With Thoko’s queendom revoked and endorsements disappearing, she has no other choice but to crash at her agent Buhle’s roomy, posh apartment. 

Buhle (Tina Redman) and Thoko’s professional relationship has an easy going edge. They act more sisterly than client/agent. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Thoko wants to save her reputation throwing out ideas that’ll make the public be on her side again— a reality TV show and writing a memoir. Buhle stands in her client’s corner one hundred percent on most matters (like giving her girl a home). Thoko and Buhle are both proud queer women whose strong relationship has a sweet, tender vibe that’s great to see outside of the stereotypical graphic violence depicted towards lesbians. Buhle encourages Thoko to branch out, promising to save her from the unfortunate mess. 

Liana Ndluvo runs Black Books. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Liana nervously looking over the luxurious place she’s built. She’s the kind of writer who prefers to hide under a shroud of mystery than entertain the public eye for even a second. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

On the opposite spectrum, noted romance author and Black Books owner Liana Ndluvo thrives on anonymity. No one knows what she looks other than her overbearing mother and best friend Zweli, musician, visual artist, and main Black Books employee. Unlike Satin’s tightly packed, eye enchantment bookshop depicted in Water in a Broken Glass, Liana’s Black Books is an airy paradise. Spacious surroundings, books pushed against walls, strategically placed tables, comfortable chairs, and sporadic plants entice inhabitants to relax and linger for a while. Black business owners often employ individualized models that venture beyond a singular purpose. For example, Satin’s bookstore shows art and offers custom framing whereas Liana includes a complete cafe experience serving beverages and desserts like butterscotch cake and cookies. 

Liana is grateful for Thoko’s thoughtful encouragement. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

At the planned book signing in her own shop, Liana’s panic attack causes her to flee from the fans waiting to finally meet their favorite anonymous author. Anxiety and shyness mixed together with social interaction amps up an all-too believable fear. A chance encounter with a woman who’ll eventually change her life makes Liana feel much better. 

And that woman is Thoko. 

Zweli is the nonjudgmental support system that Liana needs. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

When Zweli interferes into Liana’s plans, she decides to take on another identity Nana, Liana’s personal assistant, secretly accommodating Thoko’s wish to have her favorite author pen her memoir. Thoko doesn’t question Liana’s holed story, doesn’t bring up that in their impromptu meeting Liana claims to be saddened over “Liana not showing.” Now she’s the assistant to the woman she was upset over? Thoko wasn’t caring about addressing the facts at all. Perhaps the instant attraction blinded Thoko to consider Nana being Liana. 

Thoko spends a lot of time with researcher “Nana.” A sweet connection forms, blossoming into more than “Nana” taking notes for Thoko’s memoir. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Still, Liana may be a writer, but she’s a terrible liar. 

Naturally, as the polar opposite ladies chat, they find themselves feasting on each other’s company. The timid Liana surprisingly opens up authentic parts that were locked during her blind dates with sketchy men. Thoko also lets down her guarded tendencies, very much receptive to breaking the quiet girl out of her shell— and yes that means karaoke singing and attending soirées together. 

Accidentally eating edibles upsets a shaky balance.  

While Liana’s silly taste of truth serum aka humiliating side effects gradually wear off, Thoko should have used that momentum to investigate who owned Black Books. Thoko is hurt by Liana’s rejection, robbing her of intuitiveness. Too many coincidences regarding Liana to ignore, especially an outburst speaking volumes. Yet, Thoko thinks nothing of it, instead falling right into Chef Sindi’s spiderweb, turning a slow burning romance into full-fledged soap opera territory. 

Sindi pulls out all stops on her grand schemes, preying on Thoko’s innermost weakness for reinventing her tarnished image. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Sindi and Thoko share a romantic nighttime boat ride. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Chef Sindi has a more loving relationship to her phone than Thoko, pulling extreme gestures from a love bomber’s playbook. She milks the social media for all it can offer her, gleefully relaying that her posts with Thoko receives the most views and comments. Thoko allows it in her desperate attempts to get back into society’s good graces, manufacturing a good image to prove she’s no longer a bratty mean-spirited woman. Behind Thoko’s defeated eyes reveals a desire for something more real. 

The charged confrontation scene between Thoko and Liana leaves a bitter aftertaste. Liana shows backbone at last, but she also has a hypocritical hand to play, rejecting Thoko a second time. 

The universe forcing Thoko to read Liana’s novel “Never Look Back…” DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

as Liana finishes up ghostwriting Thoko’s memoir. DP: Tiyane Nyembe. 

Meanwhile, a cried out Liana finishes her assignment and resumes dating men, even returning to the first red flag first date. Liana treads backward despite her words to Zweli on giving up Thoko without really fighting for a chance. It goes back to her awkwardness, her terrifying insecurity. She convinces herself to hide behind heteronormative narrative as opposed to living in queerness, essentially mimicking a fabricated character she creates. 

Thoko and Liana’s kiss— a first for Liana— was a letdown when compared to Thoko and Sindi. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Among generic misunderstandings and obvious half-truths, the other downside to Umjolo There Is No Cure lies in its buildup to a potentially epic romance as wonderful as Rafiki and Pure. Liana was practically the Black girl response to the poorly aged classic Never Been Kissed, our modern-day twist to Josie Gellar, also a writer/journalist. Instead the film leaves us with two chaste pecks after Sindi and Thoko’s hot and heavy passion burned through the silver screen. Was that to suggest Liana’s virtuousness must remain intact regardless of whom she finally chooses to love? That viewers must use their vivid imagination to wonder how deep Liana and Thoko’s bond grows offscreen? This is not to say that the film owes an explicitly sexually charged moment. It needed to offer a worthwhile end to Liana’s pent up desires, to show a satisfying conclusion to her character arc. There were missed opportunities to close this important chapter with a deeper, meaningful wrap up to Liana and Thoko’s journey. 

Zweli advises Liana to go after what she wants— and be honest about her feelings. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Buhle— who has gone beyond for her client and friend— has no hard feelings about Thoko’s decisions on her career path. DP: Tiyane Dyembe. 

A pleasant highlight about Mthunzi Dubazana's directional effort based on Thuli Zuma’s screenplay, Umjolo There Is No Cure pays attention to genuine friendship foundation, showing why these specific pairings exist. The counterbalanced friendships lend a constant ongoing salve against the blossoming romantic drama— Zweli and Liana and Buhle and Thoko give the storyline enough humor and integrity to keep it fresh, not as stale as it could have been. Zweli knows Liana inside and out, her pleasure for writing and selling books, making tea to console her, and listening to her sensitive troubles sans negativity. When she has her crash outs, he’s always there in her corner offering diligent care and support, proving that men can be a woman’s companion without the bartering for an indecent incentive. 

Liana, the most dedicated Black woman writer in film. DP: Tiyane Nyembe.

Overall, Liana and Thoko’s radiant cuteness beautifully portrayed by actresses Bisisime Msthali and Londeka Sishi, the amazing soundtrack, the lovable side characters—wise wingman Zweli and humorous wingwoman Buhle, and the hairstyles and costumes (even the extras were stylish) makes for an uncomplicated rewatch. 

‘Diarra From Detroit,’ The Urban Cinderella Mystery That We Never Knew We Needed

 

Diarra From Detroit ad promotion. 

With the news of many Black and brown led series being cancelled left and right this past year, BET provides much needed relief by officially renewing Diarra Kilpatrick’s fantastic namesake Diarra From Detroit for a second season! The talented creator behind the Emmy nominated web series American Koko brings a unique modern-day spin on Cinderella. Instead of the poor servant girl losing her glass slipper, a young divorcee experiences a wondrous, soul-searing date with a beautiful man, only to later find the missing man’s Jordan. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) holds the first clue number one on her personal case— her potential boo’s shoe. DP: Matt Edwards.

The top notch cast is led by writer/showrunner Kilpatrick as Diarra— a too-caring schoolteacher starting over post divorce, Bryan Terrell Clark as the cool-cucumber teacher Mr. Tea, DomiNique Perry (an Insecure favorite) as Aja, the born again virtuous woman putting her salon business above unholy distractions, Claudia Logan as Moni, the feisty school bus driver, married to auto shop owner— Roman who has dangerous secrets of his own (played by Bechir Sylvain). Other characters include Shannon Wallace as the mysterious Chris, Jon Chaffin as Danger, a cooking criminal in therapy, Morris Chestnut as the sexy lawyer ex-husband Swa, and Phylicia Rashad as the almost unrecognizable potty mouthed, heroine Vonda (took a while to realize it was her— possibly Chris’s mother). 

Diarra braids a student’s hair between periods and apparently teaches Black Women’s History— the sweet necessary representation. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra speaks on being unable to afford therapy. It’s already bad enough that certain Black women can’t cry into the shower whilst being afraid to get their hair wet. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) will eventually receive intriguing details on Chris (Shannon Wallace), including how he might feel about her— a woman he just met. DP: Matt Edwards. 

In a coldest winter ever tale that would make Sistah Soujah quake in her poetic boots, the frigid Detroit, Michigan presents the perfect backdrop for eight episodes of nonstop mayhem, romance, and adventure. Fashionable, slick Diarra From Detroit explores a delicious cross between Abbott Elementary and the short-lived Women’s Murder Club with an extra blackness oomph. Frantic twist and turns balance between hitting the heartstrings hard, enticing us with a unique love story worth fighting for, and keeping the audience on their toes. The sharp, edgy writing takes us on up and down roller coasters, Diarra bringing her sometimes unwilling friends along on wildly intense thrill rides that might kill them. Our Cinderella man wasn’t scrubbing floors and talking to mice. He was building a collective trail that Diarra follows, her actions mirroring the desperate Prince Charming searching for the right feet that fit.  

Diarra combines her teacher smarts with clever sleuthing until she figures it out. 

Of course, she always needs backup.

Dana Scully skeptic Aja (DomiNique Perry) (also Swa’s cousin) stands by Diarra’s seemingly deluded side as any compassionate friend would. Aja’s a real solid pal. DP: Matt Edwards.

Moni (Claudia Logan) helps Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) for the reward money— as the large sum could get her husband out of a pricy gang affiliation. At the same time, Moni likes reconnecting with her old friend and vice versa. Diarra tells Moni deeper concerns she can’t express with Mr. Tea and Aja. DP: Matt Edwards. 

Although they first remet as Danger (Jon Chaffin) was robbing Diarra’s mother’s house, Danger became a real reliable shoulder to lean on— fresh silver dollar pancakes and all. DP: Matt Edwards. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) deserved “peace before the storms” with Aja (DomiNique Perry), Mr. Tea (Bryan Terrell Clark), and Moni (Claudia Logan). DP: Matt Edwards.

Camaraderie is the strongest component to the series, a steady well-crafted foundation. The characters’ relationships with Diarra and each other are believably portrayed. Sarcastic, unapologetic Mr. Tea often tries to steer Diarra off the crazy ledge yet his genuine affection for Aja shows a sibling protective vibe. Moni, the ex school chum who taught Diarra how to cuss, courageously steps up to sidekick, ready for every messy situation. Moni may also harbor small jealousy towards Aja—  the privileged business owner who only wants to ensure that Diarra’s mental health (and financial stability) are in order. Eventually, Aja and Moni might become closer as evidenced in the foursome’s sweet pool game, a kinship reminiscent of how in Girlfriends Toni Childs and Maya Wilkes warmed up from their earlier frostiness. And Danger— let’s just say he delivers things to Diarra that the others cannot (more on that later). 

Outside of her challenging, low paying job, Diarra’s friendships with Mr. Tea, Moni, Aja, and Danger grant her the chance to be vulnerable and open. Their nonjudgmental ears listen to her investigate whether she’s enduring temporary insanity over Chris or using this “rookie detective” activity as a means of escaping the required emotional steps to recover from a breakup. Mr. Tea, Moni, Aja, and Danger are always willing to come with her, to let her not experience uncertainties alone. 

Yet, Diarra begins witnessing menacing violence all around her and internalizes her anguish. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) and Swa (Morris Chestnut) during the good times. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra risked so much to be with Chris (Shannon Wallace)… DP: Matt Edwards.

Yet Danger put his allegiance in the line for Diarra even whilst knowing her heart’s opposing direction. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra may have a healing friend circle, the men orbiting her planet provide the heat. To a woman who considers her dimples as marital assets, the handsome men flock: Swa, the rich, successful ex husband, Danger, the traumatized gang member in virtual therapy, and Chris, the mysterious soon-to-be boo. Diarra happens to have spellbinding charisma with all three. The fire still sizzles between Diarra and Swa, angered exes flirting up a storm. Steady sparks shoot as Diarra lets Danger in and out— massaging her body in the night or filling her belly up with homemade pancakes or chili made from scratch. With Chris, whom Diarra affectionately nicknames Ambien, she feels a spiritual and physical connection, often fantasizing intimate conversations. Each man has secrets that could make or break her, secrets that could jeopardize her whole world. 

Diarra and Aja posing with the man that Aja won’t keep. They’ll likely delete this photograph. DP: Matt Edwards.

Now Diarra Kilpatrick, a Gracie winner and Independent Spirit Award nominee for this new series, continues creating phenomenal work behind-the-scenes and lighting up the screen— writing, producing, and acting her buns off. She’s a dynamic force right alongside the Michaela Coels, the Issa Raes, the Quinta Brunsons of the world— planting and watering fruitful television and streaming seeds for Black womanhood domination. There should always be room for more creativity, especially compelling portraits that explore our diverse facets, the ways we grow and mature, the ways we love and yearn— no one ever paints the same exact picture. 

In the first season’s last episode, The House on Blaine, Diarra’s cryptic voiceover implies that her and her friends won’t make it. Writers, please protect everybody at all costs. DP: Matt Edwards.

As for the exciting return of Diarra From Detroit, we have a few questions. Will there be a happily (or messily) ever after despite the wild outcome? Is the Cinderella Chris truly bound to be Diarra’s Prince Charming— what of his mother and his past? Will Mr. Tea stay with the fine emcee who can cook among other good things? Danger won’t be the sole man needing therapy— how will Roman cope with self-defense murder? He can’t hide that from Moni (hopefully). Morris Chestnut is not the only brother aging gracefully either— what will Harry Lennix bring to Aja’s plate now that she’s made the exclusive list? Can BET put the series on DVD and blu ray for future binge-watch parties with our friends and family sans relying on buffering WiFi? 

Until the second season airs, there’s always the joys of hitting the restart: laughing, crying, screaming, and gasping at the entertaining tactics of brave Diarra and her braver posse (and enemies) again. 

That Grown Black Love in ‘Cherish The Day’ Season Two

 

Cherish the Day promo poster. 

While the first Cherish the Day anthology focused on Gently James and Evan Fisher’s five-year relationship span, the second season focuses on a few months of a couple’s blossoming reunion. The moment former high school sweethearts locked eyes in a New Orleans hardware store, sparks flew between vegetarian chef Sunday St. James and plumber Ellis Moran. It was the first time they had seen each other in some twenty odd years. Apparently, Ellis messed up a good thing. 

Long ago, Ellis cheated on Sunday. Many years later, Ellis’s wife Anastasia cheated on him with Danny, her tour manager. Karma ate Ellis hard, but he’s ready to make amends. He’s an older, much matured man no longer wanting to play little boy games. Ellis and Sunday are both too grown. 

With that, time has to be intentional. 

Ellis must prove himself worthy of Sunday’s heart.

Joy Bryant (who should be in a million features) glows as vegan chef Sunday St. James. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

The divine (and criminally underused) Henry Simmons is a solid choice for independent plumber Ellis Moran. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

Although on the brink of divorcing Anastasia (played by the amazing Terri J. Vaughan) and raising two young daughters Everly and Bree, tall, brown, and handsome Ellis makes it real clear that there is room aplenty for Sunday, a gorgeous, statuesque beauty sporting sleek box braids and tailored chef jackets. Ellis stares at Sunday as though trapped in a hot desert and only she has the power to replenish his thirst. Even without physical touching, their alluring chemistry melts the screen— all in the twinkling eyes and luminous smiles. He believes they can start off as friends again. Yet, with chemistry that fire, a camaraderie would be difficult to sustain. There is so much history in the way their body language conveys longing and desire, especially after an intimate dance at the club. 

And history always repeats. 

Ellis watches his woman depart the airport, entranced. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

Sunday glides to her man in slow motion, captivated. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

Sunday does have a full plate. She’s a big deal chef, coming up with incredible recipes and managing the busiest vegan spot in Atlanta. In addition to that, her father, former judge Mandeville St. James constantly forgets minor to major things and has violent outbursts that may be hinting dementia or Alzheimer’s. This puts stress on Sunday who balances between two cities, focusing on her restaurant, tending to her father’s care, and maintaining a healthy, reignited romance with Ellis. Plus Sunday can impress sweet Bree, but stubborn Everly isn’t too receptive with her father’s girlfriend.

Brown skin love is becoming a rarity onscreen these days so it’s a blessing to see an honest depiction with Sunday and Ellis. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

Yet, Sunday and Ellis authentically come together, as lovers, as friends, as partners. Their scenes exhibit warm tenderness, pure joy, and all-consuming passion— often more smoldering than any contemporary romance novel in the bookstores and libraries. They exude timeless romance and sex appeal. Frequently, whether Sunday stepped out in a gorgeous number or Ellis entered a room dressed to impress, they rarely wandered to anyone else. That’s the epitome of grown up commitment— a sophisticated looking pair who do struggle to put themselves first. Anastasia and Hosea (Sunday’s ex special friend) may interfere for different reasons. At the end of the day, Ellis and Sunday want only each other. Their best moments include lunch on the grass, introductions to each other’s family and friends, cooking together, and shooting hoops outside ala Gina Prince-Blythewood’s Criterion Collection hit Love & Basketball.

The most important part, however, is that Ellis is supportive of Sunday, not forcing her to sacrifice her restauranteur dreams and be the makeshift mother to his daughters. 

Sunday and Ellis at Anastasia and Danny’s wedding. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

Their multifaceted, soul-stirring love story was better than the movies— the lighting, the acting, the music, all excellent. DP: Michael Dallatorre.

The up and downs of their relationship are understandable too. Anastasia needed lessons in boundaries, Everly seemed more angry at Sunday than Anastasia who cheated on her father, and Sunday’s obvious shame of Ellis’s profession made a number on his pride. Let’s face it— a woman on the brink of triumphant success is not going to be proudly boasting that her man is a plumber. People are conditioned to think that means toilets are his main priority as opposed to not considering that includes pipes, sinks, and etc. He’s adept at reconstruction, turning homes into goldmines. The ending superbly highlights his underrated handyman strengths, something that would have even impressed Overton Wakefield Jones. 

When Everly extended an olive branch to Sunday at Danny and Anastasia’s wedding, it showed a new, profound step in their relationship, that Everly could be open and vulnerable to a woman who shares several commonalities with her. Their conversation explores the heartbreak most girls and women go through and the strength in numbers philosophy in order to overcome it. Everly becomes what Sunday was at her age, crying over a boy. Sunday doesn’t spill the fact that Ellis did the same, instead consoling her future stepdaughter with delicacy and grace, promising her that she would not mirror Anastasia or Ellis’s behaviors. 

Yet, the painful cycle of cheating closes on Sunday and Ellis who ultimately decide to forgive the past and look forward to their life together. 

Mrs. Luma Lee Langston (Cicely Tyson) at top, DP: Eduardo Enrique Mayen and former Judge Mandeville James (Richard Roundtree) on the bottom, DP: Michael Dallatorre. Rest in power to both of these great heavyweights.

Cherish the Day performs double duty activism, utilizing an all-female directing crew as in Queen Sugar including Angel Kristi Williams (Really Love) and Tchaiko Omawale (Solace). Casting classic, nostalgic actors gives them flowers, that though in prime they still have good work to accomplish for new audiences. The first season featured the late Oscar honored Cicely Tyson in fine form as the sassy Mrs. Luma Lee Langston. In the second season, Shaft’s Richard Roundtree plays former judge Mandeville, a widowed father to Sunday who happens to be suffering from the ailments of old age. If there happens to be more anthologies, might we suggest Margaret Avery, Garrett Morris, Jo Marie Payton, Charlayne Woodard, Carl Lumbly, or Danny Glover. 

Furthermore, Michael Dallatorre’s cinematography aligns with the thoughtful music selection, another key example hailing off Queen Sugar’s independent vibes. Sade’s brilliant song sets the theme as each episode focuses on a single day. 

Illustration by Jasper Yu.

Illustration by Jasper Yu.

Overall, Sunday and Ellis’s incredible coupledom wouldn’t be complete without the charisma Joy Bryant and Henry Simmons brought to the table. They were beautiful and authentic, just believably present in a Black contemporary love story sans the typical struggle. 

So, Cherish the Day season two comes highly recommended and well worth the two dollars per episode.