The film opens in theaters on November 22
The Black Sea is the new film co-directed by Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden, which explores the story of Khalid, a Brooklyn bartender played by Harden himself, whose sudden move to a small Bulgarian town on the Black Sea triggers a journey of personal transformation. The film mixes elements of fact and fiction in a style close to cinema verité, already characteristic of Moselle, known for her documentary The Wolfpack and the feature film Skate Kitchen.
The Black Sea was inspired by director/protagonist Harden's travels in Bulgaria
The plot follows Khalid after a fishing accident leads him to leave New York for Bulgaria. Here, in a town where he is the only black man, Khalid finds himself confronting profound cultural differences, but also embracing new connections and bonds. Set in the context of a community steeped in local traditions, the film explores how hip-hop, one of America’s greatest cultural exports, permeates a seemingly distant place.
The Black Sea is inspired by Harden’s real-life travels to Bulgaria and personal experiences that led to the story. The film was shot in just 16 days with local actors and non-professionals to ensure authenticity. The original score was composed by Harden himself, with Charles Moselle providing the music. The film premiered at SXSW 2024 and received Best Narrative Feature at the Nashville Film Festival. Distributed by Metrograph Pictures, The Black Sea opens in theaters on November 22.
Source: indiewire