Indie Web Series: King Ester
Identity tends to be a crucial topic in today’s world. For some, it can unfold a new depiction of reality. For others, it can lead to acceptance. The quest to find it comes with struggles and conversations that, when exercised correctly, can be used to implement an impression through the power of storytelling.
King Ester tells the story of Ester, a transgender woman, who lives in New Orleans, that dreams of being a star. With a powerful narrative that unfolds in a surprisingly beautiful way, this series accomplishes to keep you intrigued. As Ester deals with the complexity between her life and what she truly desires, the series portrays her story a week before hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
This production proves to be a one of a kind experience for viewers with every episode opening the door for a variety of topics to be explored. Dui Jarrod serves as the creator and director of this series in an attempt to bring in an audience by showing a different perspective in the life of a transgender women who sustains herself by being a sex worker. Jarrod takes many risks during the course of the series, which certainly pay off as Ester’s story continues to unfold.
With a strong and diverse creative team, the series excels in the format that it is presented. The storyline is showcased in 7 episodes that range from 8 to 15 minutes. Precise musical cues, editing and even colors set the tone for all subject matters presented in each installment.
Jarrod is also included as part of the introductions of every chapter. He uses this time to give a backstory on what inspired parts of the story while reminding viewers to keep their minds open in terms of what they are about to see. Jarrod also includes conversations after some episodes or as separate videos with different guests in order to shed more light to his purpose with King Ester.
It also includes a strong cast with both Janet Hubert and Angelica Ross highlighted as special guests. Ross, best known for her role as Candy Ferocity in Pose, also functions as an executive producer for the project. Hubert is best known for her role as Vivian Smith in the first seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
But it is Rowin Amone, who portrays Ester, that catches your attention in a very surprising way. Amone shows no shame while masterfully portraying the good and the bad that makes up Ester’s life by dealing with the different scenarios portrayed with truthfulness. This composes a relatable and authentic performance from Amone that helps the audience initiate an interest with its main character.
ROWIN AMONE
In an accurate representation of commonly known struggles, Jarrod succeeds in shedding a new light to these experiences by adding the perspective of a transgender woman. The exploration of Ester’s dream of becoming an artist against her job as a sex worker become a prominent subject in her quest to leave New Orleans. These go hand in hand with her struggles in being desired as a woman and accepted for who she now is.
The latter is highlighted in episode 5 titled “Champagne'', which is easily the stand out of the series. Jarrod takes a chance in dedicating an episode to show how Ester falls in love and is accepted for who she is by Damian, played by Lj Scott, that pays off with the sincerity and simplicity displayed by both actors. It also takes a stab at Ester’s past experiences in her job, which are shown in earlier episodes, where she is treated poorly and constantly feels embarrassed after spending the night with her customers.
Though these episodes in particular become very hard to watch, the beauty of what Jarrod accomplishes with them is how he can open the platform for conversations on how transgender women are viewed in this industry by displaying all of the negativity that comes with Ester’s job. It also retreats from the typical scenario that viewers have for a sex worker, which makes for a uncommon quality in this show.
The series definitely reaches its peak in both storytelling and acting in the last two episodes, which delightfully embody a clash of different emotions. Episode 6 titled “Stay. Leave.” presents the struggle of all characters in making the choice to stay or leave New Orleans as hurricane Katrina approaches. Episode 7 presents the reprise of Ester, her acceptance and a finale that certainly leaves you curious as to what is next in her life and what really transpired during and after the events introduced in the episode.
Met with critical acclaim, King Ester made its world premiere on October 17 on Issa Rae’s Youtube channel. Titled Issa Rae Presents the channel currently holds 470k subscribers. It is Rae’s attempt to present a forum for web series, mockumentaries, music videos and shorts films from diverse artists in locations such as Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.
The channel, launched on October 19, 2006, is also partnered with Color Creative, which was also founded by Rae and Denise Davis. The company follows a similar mission in Rae’s platform in showcasing diverse talent. Launched in 2014 it currently holds 374 subscribers.
King Ester proves to be a game changer during this era of embracing original stories. Not for the faint of heart, the series grapples many difficult scenarios that can either shape up or break a person in the passage of life. Acceptance represented in the media takes a lot of courage to embrace. For Ester, it signifies freedom.
