Smoke, Lilies and Jade

Alex, a young artist of the Harlem Renaissance, flirts with the idea of bisexuality through posturing and conversations he has with his girlfriend, Melva, and his Bohemian mentor, Raymond. Then he meets Beauty, a Latin man who pursues Alex with poetry and fire, and the fun turns to earnest. The music of a concert performance breaks the floodgates of Alex's desires, and he finds himself torn between Melva and Beauty. Which one will he choose?

Directed by Deondray Gossfield, Quincy LeNear Gossfield, Smoke, Lilies and Jade leans on a strong ensemble — Xavier Avila, Ernesto Reyes, Billy Porter — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2021.