The UB Q&A with Donta Storey | New Film ‘LiME’

Donta Storey is a non-binary, black, and queer filmmaker from Compton, California on the rise. The film “LiME” was an Official Selection at this year’s Outfest Fusion Film Festival.

After a successful festival run that took the film from San Francisco’s Black Film Festival to the DC Film Festival.

Donta has a short film Dooley Does Murder, which they wrote and will star in production currently, and will film their debut feature film “Boys Like Us” come December 2020.

LiME is set in the urban jungle of Compton, CA in the early ’00s, LiME tells the story of Deshawn, a young man who discovers how hard it is to live in his truth after experiencing the bitterness of the real world. He has a choice, to conform to societal norms, or….be the sweet amongst the sour.

In this UB Q&A, Donta Storey tells us what inspired LiME, speaks on misconceptions in the queer community, his love for James Baldwin and gives us the scoop on his next film.

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UrbanBridgez.com: How did you get your start in the film industry?
Donta Storey: Well, I’ve always had a love for movies in general and had a fascination with how they were made, so in college, I majored in film and studied theater. As an actor, I learned very quickly how few roles there were for actors who happened to be black, so after I learned more about how the insides of this business worked, I decided to produce my own stories.

UrbanBridgez.com: Talk to us about LiME and what inspired it?
Donta Storey: LiME is really a collection of experiences I had as a young person, and the film stems from a place of love and trauma, really. I think at its core it’s a film about finding the courage to truly live in your own lane, but it forces people to look at what that means for someone who is being pushed around at every turn because of who they are. It’s for sure a feel-good overcoming adversity tale with a dose of pain. It’s easier said than done, and with LiME I wanted to make something that would appeal to those who need inspiration and motivation, but also a film that would force our allies to look at the high and lows of the lives we are being asked to lead. Their support means everything, and it’s easier to support someone when you understand where they are coming from and where they’ve been.

UrbanBridgez.com: The story is real and needed, what obstacles did you face filming it?
Donta Storey: Thank you! Honestly, we didn’t run into many obstacles logistically or during the process. It was my first time directing, and taking charge of a set in that way, so I went in very concerned. I remember thinking that we would be disturbing the communities that we shot in, but they were more than supportive. This was really a treat to me because one can only dream to go back to the place, they’re from and film their debut film. I really value that memory.

UrbanBridgez.com: What do you want people to get from it after they view it?
Donta Storey: I hope people feel… and I hope they enjoy the movie and walk away feeling like they can be whoever it is they want and need to be. We all know what it’s like to overcome adversity, to feel alone, and or to struggle with finding ourselves, and we all can do much more when we support one another.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s been your biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in the film industry?
Donta Storey: I’ve learned to never box yourself in or to limit yourself or your creativity, and more importantly not to let others do that for you. It’s funny because I’m a storyteller who wants to shed light and tell stories that center queer people, and black and brown people, but I also don’t want how I identify to be the only that informs my work as an actor or a filmmaker. So, it’s important to know who you are and to stand up and by that- if not other people will do it for you.

UrbanBridgez.com: As a nonbinary black queer human, what’s the biggest misconception you feel the community receives?
Donta Storey: Where do I begin… ha. I mean the entire world looks at anyone on a spectrum as a stereotype, even though we spend so much time proving those wrong. I mean, being nonbinary is interesting because it combats social norms and the binary, yet people want you to look a certain way in order for them to respect or swallow your identity. I think queerness is a lot of things, and acting or looking, or dressing a certain way doesn’t dictate what’s inside. I hope people start to expand their minds when it comes to our existence.

UrbanBridgez.com: What would you like to see more of, in terms of support and understanding of the LGBTQ community from heterosexuals and the black community?
Donta Storey: I would love to see more love in the world- no matter the community, but in regard to the black community I would like to see more unity. At the end of the day, we are all human, and we are black. We have to fight a unified fight in regard to our skin in this country and most of the world already, so it sucks having to fight for understanding and tolerance in a community that you love and are proud to be a part of. LiME is also a response to this very question. I fought as a young person to feel a part of a community that oftentimes felt like it wanted nothing to do with me.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us about your appreciation and love for James Baldwin?
Donta Storey: James Baldwin is one of the people that made me feel like I could tell stories and tell the stories that I wanted to tell. I’ve read Giovanni’s room thirteen times, and it never gets old. I love his work, and really appreciate being able to read a lot of it as a young person. Being black and queer in this country means something very different than non-black and queer, and it’s seldom that you find someone to look up to. James is that for me. I still get chills when I watch interview clips of theirs online. I feel like artists like Baldwin are a gift, and it’s one I think everyone should experience.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us a bit about your new film Dooley Does Murder?
Donta Storey: I’m so excited to share Dooley Does Murder! I’m a huge horror fan, especially the campy horror from back in the day, and this film is my love letter to campy horror. I feel like it lives on the line of sinister and camp, which makes me very happy. I get to portray someone who isn’t all right in the head, and playing a villain is always fun, so I’m excited to share this with the world very soon!

UrbanBridgez.com: What motivates you?
Donta Storey: I think it’s my love for storytelling. I don’t want to live in a world without magic, and movies are magic to me, so being a part of a medium that takes you places that only your mind can dream of is what motivates.

UrbanBridgez.com: Anything you want to leave with our viewers?
Donta Storey: Make sure to support the arts, movies, music, the whole industry is nothing without supporters. If we support films that represent us, we will see more of that. Representation matters, no matter who you are.

LiME is currently streaming via Amazon Prime!

LiME Official Trailer from Donta Storey on Vimeo.