In "The Ohio, Texas Remix," Ya'Ke Smith reflects on a custody battle from his childhood.

      Ya’ke Smith created his short film “The Ohio, Texas Remix” based on a tumultuous period in his childhood when his parents were embroiled in a custody dispute over him and his sister.

      This film, which will be screened at the Micheaux Film Festival this weekend, revolves around a mother who breaks into her ex-husband's home to take back her son. Smith, who cares deeply for both of his parents, chooses not to assign blame or determine who is right or wrong—both parents love their child and act in what they believe to be the best interest. The film builds relentless tension, keeping viewers intensely engaged in the outcomes for the father, mother, and son.

      “The simplest way to narrate this story would have been to define heroes and villains: my father as the villain and my mother as the hero. While there was a version of the script that reflected that, such a portrayal felt uninteresting and lacked depth, complexity, and truth,” Smith informs MovieMaker.

      “My intention with the narrative was never to oversimplify the characters or depict them in stark contrasts. Instead, I aimed to develop characters that are flawed, desperate, and steadfast in their quest for what they believe to be 'the right thing.'”

      In addition to being a filmmaker recognized for his courageous storytelling, Smith is a film professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also served as the first Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Moody College of Communication. His films, including the short “Katrina’s Son,” the feature Wolf, and the documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, have been showcased and awarded at over 150 film festivals.

      We spoke with Ya’ke Smith about the complexities of human experience, educating the next generation of filmmakers, and the elements of filmmaking that must never be compromised.

      Ya’ke Smith. Photo by Greg Schnabel.

      MovieMaker: Can you share how you became a filmmaker?

      Ya’ke Smith: I was an artist long before anything else. I sang in choirs, played in bands, acted in church and local theater, and watched countless films. The common thread through all these mediums was my passion for storytelling and my wish to use those stories to create meaningful, lasting impacts.

      While each art form has the power to engage and broaden perspectives in unique ways, film felt to me like the most effective medium to reach a wider audience, as more people engage in the collective experience of watching movies than any other creative avenue. A pivotal moment for me was when I saw Boyz N The Hood at age 11, which completely captivated me. It was a revelation to witness a narrative about a community and individuals I recognized depicted with such depth and empathy.

      Characters like Tre, Ricky, and Doughboy felt like friends and family. John Singleton perceived them in ways other filmmakers hadn’t. That was the moment I decided to become a filmmaker and began to educate myself about the craft. I created my first film at 15 and have continued making films since then.

      MovieMaker: Can you discuss the real-life story behind “The Ohio, Texas Remix”?

      Ya’ke Smith: My earliest memory of my father is him arriving in Texas to take my sister and me for what was meant to be a summer visit but turned into two years. I was only seven or eight at the time and didn’t realize that my parents were still married and embroiled in a fierce custody battle. Because they were still married, both had parental rights, and no lawyer would take my mother’s case or assist her in retrieving us.

      One lawyer even suggested off the record: Drive to Ohio, take your children, and bring them back to Texas. Once that was done, he'd initiate divorce proceedings. Although my mother ultimately didn’t need to do this (we were eventually sent back), this film reinterprets that segment of my life.

      The story always resembled something from the headlines, so I wanted to unearth the true narrative while incorporating genre elements to heighten audience engagement. It’s tragic, humorous, suspenseful, and ultimately a tribute to my parents.

      “The Ohio, Texas Remix.” Image courtesy of Ya’ke Smith.

      MovieMaker: You do an incredible job of making all characters sympathetic—our loyalties shift, yet we ultimately wish for a resolution for everyone involved. How did you ensure that each perspective was represented and respected?

      Ya’ke Smith: As a child, you only have access to the version of events shared by your parents, but as you grow older, you recognize that truth is subjective, that parents aren't infallible, and that even during their hardest times, they did the best they could with the resources available to them at that moment.

      Neither of my parents were 'right' in this scenario, and I feel quite deeply that neither were 'wrong.' My objective was to paint shades of gray and portray characters who exist in the complexities of life because that's where most people find themselves; often,