Goddey Asemota's debut feature film, NO HOMO is about two aspiring fashion designers who sell custom shirts on the streets of SoHo. Because of their love for fashion the two are consistently questioned about their sexuality. As a gag they make a shirt with NO HOMO written on the front to address their sexuality questions, and sell them at their stand. What happens next is a chain of events that’s leads to the unlikely meteoric rise through the world fashion.
The film has its NY premiere on Monday, February 18th at 9:45pm, wrapping up the 3rd annual New Voices in Black Cinema festival in Brooklyn, NY at BAM Rose Cinema, presented by ActNow Foundation and BAMcinématek.
The Baltimore native native began his media career in 2001 with HBO working on shows like ‘The Wire,’ and quickly garnered the attention of several key executives for his hard work and passion, which spurred his move to New York. Since his arrival in New York in 2003, Goddey received a BA in Film Production from Brooklyn College. Professional, Goddey has produced and edited for such top companies as NBC, Coca-Cola, C-Net, HBO, Getty Images, BBC, and New York Film Academy. In 2005, Goddey started his production company Soul Purpose Media on one principle: create unique media for unique purposes.
We caught up with Goddey to find out some insight about him and his filmmaking style.
What made you want to become a director?
I became a director because of Hype Williams. The way he revolutionized music videos in the late 90's and Early 2000's had me in awe. Hype's mix of style, texture, hip-hop, and story made my jaw drop.
What are your favorite films – the ones that inspire you to do what you do?
Films that inspire me: Bush Mama, Putney Swope, Watermelon Man, Belly, Traffic, Ali, The Spook Who Sat By The door, House Party 2!
Is there a passion project that you can share with us that you’d love to get off of the ground?
My passion project is based around the world of street bikes & four wheelers. The whole dirt bike lifestyle in Harlem is something I like. I have worked with the genre in a documentary setting but would love to bring it into a narrative setting like the black fast and furious.
Who would you love to work with that you haven’t?
I would like to work with producers & writers who are ‘unapologetically black’ and bold with the projects they make! People like me who don't watch movies & content but make it!
What’s next for you?
Next for me is Mob Deep Effect a story about a group of black men who organize flash mobs to change the world around them and the hunt by the "man" to stop them!
NO HOMO screens Monday, February 18th at 9:45pm along with the short film Harriet Returns, wrapping up the 3rd annual New Voices in Black Cinema festival in Brooklyn, NY at BAM Rose Cinema, presented by ActNow Foundation and BAMcinématek. Tickets are still available HERE.
