Filmmaker Dee Rees made history on June 29 when her debut feature “Pariah” joined the Criterion Collection, making the Oscar and Emmy nominee the first Black American woman to have her work included. Before Rees, Euzhan Palcy, who is from Martinique, was the lone Black woman to have a film (1989’s “A Dry White Season”) selected.
“It feels like a formal acknowledgment of the film’s impact to the canon and being a part of the culture,” Rees tells Variety of having her movie chosen. “Even though artists have to try to find your validation from inside, it’s nice to be seen.”
And as a Black filmmaker in particular, Rees adds, “it’s important to be included for future generations of filmmakers, if [Criterion] is the thing that’s being taught in schools.”
“When they’re absent, then the assumption is there’s none in existence,” she explains. “There’s no Black filmmakers here,...
“It feels like a formal acknowledgment of the film’s impact to the canon and being a part of the culture,” Rees tells Variety of having her movie chosen. “Even though artists have to try to find your validation from inside, it’s nice to be seen.”
And as a Black filmmaker in particular, Rees adds, “it’s important to be included for future generations of filmmakers, if [Criterion] is the thing that’s being taught in schools.”
“When they’re absent, then the assumption is there’s none in existence,” she explains. “There’s no Black filmmakers here,...
- 7/2/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Network: Comedy Central.
Episodes: 70 (half-hour).
Seasons: Six.
TV show dates: July 9, 2013 — August 6, 2019.
Series status: Cancelled.
Performers include: Derek Waters (host); Bennie Arthur, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, Tim Baltz, J.T. Palmer, Tymberlee Hill, Pernilla Nylander, Rich Fulcher, and Craig Anstett.
TV show description:
From creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, the Drunk History TV show is based on the Funny or Die web television series. In each episode, guest stars reenact historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales.
The series examines America's past in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, San Francisco, Washington D.C., as well as in the Wild West. Whether they're...
Episodes: 70 (half-hour).
Seasons: Six.
TV show dates: July 9, 2013 — August 6, 2019.
Series status: Cancelled.
Performers include: Derek Waters (host); Bennie Arthur, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, Tim Baltz, J.T. Palmer, Tymberlee Hill, Pernilla Nylander, Rich Fulcher, and Craig Anstett.
TV show description:
From creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, the Drunk History TV show is based on the Funny or Die web television series. In each episode, guest stars reenact historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales.
The series examines America's past in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, San Francisco, Washington D.C., as well as in the Wild West. Whether they're...
- 8/25/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Vulture Watch
Has Comedy Central taken the pledge? Is the Drunk History TV show cancelled or renewed for a seventh season on Comedy Central? The television vulture is watching for the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Drunk History, season seven. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Comedy Central TV series from creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, each episode of Drunk History features a narrator and guest stars reenacting historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales. From the Alamo to Watergate and beyond, no subject is off-limits. Waters hosts the program, and frequent players include Bennie Arthur, Derek Waters, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, and J.T.
Has Comedy Central taken the pledge? Is the Drunk History TV show cancelled or renewed for a seventh season on Comedy Central? The television vulture is watching for the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Drunk History, season seven. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Comedy Central TV series from creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, each episode of Drunk History features a narrator and guest stars reenacting historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales. From the Alamo to Watergate and beyond, no subject is off-limits. Waters hosts the program, and frequent players include Bennie Arthur, Derek Waters, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, and J.T.
- 8/20/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Focus Features has scheduled a June 29 livestream showing of Dee Rees’ 2011 drama “Pariah” and Q&a with cast members as a Pride Month commemoration.
The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the excellence in cinematography award. Adepero Oduye portrays a 17-year-old woman who lives with her parents, played by Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell, and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, is a good student at her local high school and is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian.
“Pariah” was based on Rees’ 2007 short film of the same name. It won the top independent film awards at the NAACP Image Awards and the African American Film Critics Assn. Oduye was nominated for best female lead at the Spirit Awards.
“Pariah” will screen at 5 pm Pst/ 8 pm Est on the Focus Features Facebook page.
The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the excellence in cinematography award. Adepero Oduye portrays a 17-year-old woman who lives with her parents, played by Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell, and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, is a good student at her local high school and is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian.
“Pariah” was based on Rees’ 2007 short film of the same name. It won the top independent film awards at the NAACP Image Awards and the African American Film Critics Assn. Oduye was nominated for best female lead at the Spirit Awards.
“Pariah” will screen at 5 pm Pst/ 8 pm Est on the Focus Features Facebook page.
- 6/26/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Even last year's drop in the Nielsen ratings didn't convince Comedy Central to hop on the wagon and cancel its Drunk History TV show. Now that it is back for a sixth season, will this show straighten up, fly right, and bring in a bigger audience, or just wallow in the basic-cable gutter? Will Drunk History be cancelled or renewed for season seven? Stay tuned. *Status update below.
From creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, each episode of Drunk History features a narrator and guest stars reenacting historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales. From the Alamo to Watergate and beyond, no subject is off-limits. Waters hosts the Comedy Central TV series, and frequent players include Bennie Arthur, Derek Waters, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, and J.T. Palmer. Guest stars in season six include Evan Rachel...
From creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, each episode of Drunk History features a narrator and guest stars reenacting historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales. From the Alamo to Watergate and beyond, no subject is off-limits. Waters hosts the Comedy Central TV series, and frequent players include Bennie Arthur, Derek Waters, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, and J.T. Palmer. Guest stars in season six include Evan Rachel...
- 9/7/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Podcasts from talent including Love creator Lesley Arfin, Margaret Cho, Glow’s Kimmy Gatewood and The Good Place’s Rebecca Delgado form the inaugural slate for female-focused podcast network Earios.
Earios was set up by former UTA and Wme comedy agent Priyanka Mattoo, who also ran Electric Dynamite with Jack Black, Maria Blasucci, star of HBO’s Family Tree and Amanda Lund, who has appeared on series including Fresh Off The Boat and New Girl.
Last year, the company successfully raised money through a Kickstarter campaign and secured enough to launch 12 shows this year. It has also partnered with podcast company Acast to launch the slate, which will launch three shows at the start of July and will run new shows every couple of weeks.
It is designed to produce female-fronted podcasts after Lund and Blasucci, who previously hosted their own independent shows, failed to find podcast companies run by...
Earios was set up by former UTA and Wme comedy agent Priyanka Mattoo, who also ran Electric Dynamite with Jack Black, Maria Blasucci, star of HBO’s Family Tree and Amanda Lund, who has appeared on series including Fresh Off The Boat and New Girl.
Last year, the company successfully raised money through a Kickstarter campaign and secured enough to launch 12 shows this year. It has also partnered with podcast company Acast to launch the slate, which will launch three shows at the start of July and will run new shows every couple of weeks.
It is designed to produce female-fronted podcasts after Lund and Blasucci, who previously hosted their own independent shows, failed to find podcast companies run by...
- 7/1/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors and screenwriters came together Saturday night to support the young women involved in WriteGirl at the organization’s annual Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! event.
The organization empowers girls to share their voices with a community of female writers. In the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, Calif., scenes and monologues written by the girls earlier in the day were performed by actors Keiko Agena (“Gilmore Girls”), Kelsey Scott (“How To Get Away with Murder”), Aasha Davis (“Friday Night Lights”), Adam Tsekhman (“Legends of Tomorrow”), and Ted Cannon (“Justified”).
The scenes ranged from comical discussion between a health conscious father and his junk-food-loving daughter to an emotional monologue where a boy wished he was no longer invisible. After the skits, a panel of screenwriters provided commentary about the writing style.
Executive director of WriteGirl Keren Taylor said that during the day the mentors and girls focus on “getting away from clichés, talking...
The organization empowers girls to share their voices with a community of female writers. In the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, Calif., scenes and monologues written by the girls earlier in the day were performed by actors Keiko Agena (“Gilmore Girls”), Kelsey Scott (“How To Get Away with Murder”), Aasha Davis (“Friday Night Lights”), Adam Tsekhman (“Legends of Tomorrow”), and Ted Cannon (“Justified”).
The scenes ranged from comical discussion between a health conscious father and his junk-food-loving daughter to an emotional monologue where a boy wished he was no longer invisible. After the skits, a panel of screenwriters provided commentary about the writing style.
Executive director of WriteGirl Keren Taylor said that during the day the mentors and girls focus on “getting away from clichés, talking...
- 4/29/2018
- by Ariana Brockington
- Variety Film + TV
Based on the Funny or Die web television series, the Drunk History TV show stumbled its way onto Comedy Central in 2013, feeling no pain -- at least not until the morning after. In itsfifth season, is the concept still buzz-worthy enough to keep the audience thirsty for more? Will Drunk History be cancelled or renewed for season six, or just wind up in rehab? Stay tuned. From creators Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner, each episode of Drunk History features a narrator and guest stars reenacting historical events as recounted by terribly tipsy tellers of tales. From the Alamo and the Scopes Monkey Trial, to Watergate and beyond, no subject is off-limits. Waters hosts the Comedy Central TV series, and frequent players include Bennie Arthur, Craig Cackowski, Maria Biasucci, Mort Burke, Michael Coleman, Aasha Davis, Tim Baltz, J.T. Palmer, Tymberlee Hill,...
- 1/25/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Female filmmakers are still an unfortunate rarity in Hollywood — USC Annenberg’s Media, Diversity & Social Change Initiative’s latest study about female directors in the industry recently delivered blunt findings like “the director’s chair is white and male” and “age restricts opportunities for female filmmakers” and even “one & done: opportunities for female directors are rare” — but that hasn’t stopped a compelling legion of creators to churn out excellent films for as long as the art form has existed.
The 21st century may be less than seventeen years old, but it’s already played home to a slew of instant classics, from established auteurs to rising indie stars and everything in between. Here are the 25 best.
Read More: The 25 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 21st Century, From ‘Children of Men’ to ‘Her’
Behold, a bevy of riches…
25. “Tomboy,” directed by Céline Sciamma (2011)
A quietly gorgeous portrait of a plucky...
The 21st century may be less than seventeen years old, but it’s already played home to a slew of instant classics, from established auteurs to rising indie stars and everything in between. Here are the 25 best.
Read More: The 25 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 21st Century, From ‘Children of Men’ to ‘Her’
Behold, a bevy of riches…
25. “Tomboy,” directed by Céline Sciamma (2011)
A quietly gorgeous portrait of a plucky...
- 5/26/2017
- by Kate Erbland, Jude Dry, Zack Sharf and Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Narrowing down the 15 best movies in any genre is tough, but for lesbian films you have to begin with a reductive question: What is a lesbian film? What, in fact, is a lesbian? (But that’s a different piece). Must the film focus primarily on a gay storyline, or can it feature strong lesbian characters doing something entirely different than just being lesbians? Is subtext enough? How much cinephile wrath will rain down on us for the absence of a certain recent Oscar nominee?
Ultimately, the best lesbian films honor the traditions of queer cinema in all of its glory: Strong women, high entertainment value, and bold visuals reign supreme. Too often, lesbian characters are either unattractive man-haters or used for titillation. These movies reclaim all of that; they’re the movies you will see played on a loop in the club, or at an underground rooftop movie night. Some...
Ultimately, the best lesbian films honor the traditions of queer cinema in all of its glory: Strong women, high entertainment value, and bold visuals reign supreme. Too often, lesbian characters are either unattractive man-haters or used for titillation. These movies reclaim all of that; they’re the movies you will see played on a loop in the club, or at an underground rooftop movie night. Some...
- 5/8/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Johnny Knoxville attends the blue carpet Los Angeles premiere of "The World's End" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Chloe Dykstra Chris Hardwick attends the blue carpet Los Angeles premiere of "The World's End" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Photo copyright Paul Smith / Featureflash. Seamus Dever attends the blue carpet Los Angeles premiere of "The World's End" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Photo copyright Paul Smith / Featureflash. Joss Whedon attends the blue carpet Los Angeles premiere of "The World's End" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Photo copyright Paul Smith / Featureflash. Aasha Davis attends the blue carpet Los Angeles premiere of "The World's End" at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Photo copyright Paul Smith...
- 8/22/2013
- by M&C
- Monsters and Critics
Here’s a teaser trailer for season two of the web series "The Unwritten Rules,” created by and exec produced by Kim Williams, starring: Aasha Davis (who is also one of the producers, along with Michelle Clay), Balbinka, Sara Finely, David Lowe, Kayla Ibarra, Ebenezer Quaye, and Antonio Ramirez.Based on the book “40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a Nigger, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman,” written by Williams, the series calls itself “The Office with a twist,” and sets out to “portray real-life experiences of the relationships formed and experiences of African-Americans in predominantly white workplaces.” But, of course, in a humorous way...Season...
- 6/10/2013
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Tags: Afternoon DelightCowgirl UpTegan and SaraFreja Beha ErichsenKristen WiigOprahThe ButlerIMDbJane LynchArrested DevelopmentMadonnaOctavia SpencerMarion Cotillard
Good afternoon everyone!
Tegan and Sara will be featured in June’s Glamour magazine. Who’s excited?
If you’re obsessed with Arrested Development (like I am) consider taking a tour (albeit a short tour) of the original Bluth family’s frozen banana stand. There’s always money in the banana stand.
Here’s a sneak peek of tomorrow night’s intense Grey’s Anatomy.
If you happened to watch last night’s E:60 on Espn you might have heard Jane Lynch’s voice narrating a story about a young girl who wanted to become a cheerleader. When I think of cheerleading I always think of Lynch.
Out costume designer Mandi Line discusses dressing the Pretty Little Liars cast, what item every woman needs to have in her closet and her love of Shay Mitchell’s real-life style.
Good afternoon everyone!
Tegan and Sara will be featured in June’s Glamour magazine. Who’s excited?
If you’re obsessed with Arrested Development (like I am) consider taking a tour (albeit a short tour) of the original Bluth family’s frozen banana stand. There’s always money in the banana stand.
Here’s a sneak peek of tomorrow night’s intense Grey’s Anatomy.
If you happened to watch last night’s E:60 on Espn you might have heard Jane Lynch’s voice narrating a story about a young girl who wanted to become a cheerleader. When I think of cheerleading I always think of Lynch.
Out costume designer Mandi Line discusses dressing the Pretty Little Liars cast, what item every woman needs to have in her closet and her love of Shay Mitchell’s real-life style.
- 5/8/2013
- by Bridget McManus
- AfterEllen.com
Tags: Afternoon DelightCowgirl UpRihannaJane LynchDeb MellIMDb
Good afternoon!
Happy birthday to Angela Lansbury, Kellie Martin, Suzanne Somers and Pariah's Kim Wayans!
Kim Wayans at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles
Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Take a gander at the teaser trailer for Kimberly Peirce's Carrie remake, in theaters March 15, 2013.
Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes and a slew of Lgbtq celebrities are speaking out in support of President Obama. Their tagline is “Come out and vote for President Obama!” And that's exactly what I will be doing on November 6.
Rihanna is on the cover of November's Vogue magazine.
In her interview, the award winning singer discusses dating and being surrounded by too many vaginas. (Is that really possible?) Rihanna said, "I would love to go on a date. You don't think that? I'm a woman. A young woman, vibrant, and I love to have fun.
Good afternoon!
Happy birthday to Angela Lansbury, Kellie Martin, Suzanne Somers and Pariah's Kim Wayans!
Kim Wayans at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles
Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Take a gander at the teaser trailer for Kimberly Peirce's Carrie remake, in theaters March 15, 2013.
Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes and a slew of Lgbtq celebrities are speaking out in support of President Obama. Their tagline is “Come out and vote for President Obama!” And that's exactly what I will be doing on November 6.
Rihanna is on the cover of November's Vogue magazine.
In her interview, the award winning singer discusses dating and being surrounded by too many vaginas. (Is that really possible?) Rihanna said, "I would love to go on a date. You don't think that? I'm a woman. A young woman, vibrant, and I love to have fun.
- 10/16/2012
- by Bridget McManus
- AfterEllen.com
I'm not always convinced by the tales I hear on the Bio network's Celebrity Ghost Stories, but I'll be tuning in this Saturday night when Aasha Davis (Pariah, The Unwritten Rules) shares hers. Celebrity Ghost Stories is basically a show where famous, semi-famous, and not-so-famous people tell supposedly true tales of encounters with ghosts and spirits, with re-enactments and all. During Davis' segment from this Saturday's episode, which airs at 9Pm Et, viewers will see how Davis "has a magical time with a new friend, and later finds out her new friend is actually a spirit of a deceased young girl." Check out the below clip from Davis' story: ...
- 9/8/2012
- by Emmanuel Akitobi
- ShadowAndAct
Tags: Noomi RapaceHope SoloAmerican Horror StoryAmerican Horror Story: AsylumIMDbDancing with the Stars
Good afternoon and Tgif!
Happy birthday to Belinda Carlisle and Pariah's Aasha Davis!
Aasha Davis at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills, CA
Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
An American Horror Story: Asylum teaser clip has arrived to give you nightmares.
Comedian and Lgbt ally Chelsea Handler is all suited up on the cover of Marie Claire @Work. I'm digging her look.
U.S. Olympic goalkeeper Hope Solo accused her former Dancing With the Stars partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy of slapping her “across the face” in her memoir Solo: A Memoir of Hope. Solo said Chmerkovskiy “was extremely apologetic” but that the blow was “powerful enough that her ears rang afterwards.” This is not Ok.
Lesbian comedian Ever Mainard is featured in Get Cash 4 Rights, a spoof of those ridiculous Get Cash 4 Gold commercials.
Noomi Rapace will...
Good afternoon and Tgif!
Happy birthday to Belinda Carlisle and Pariah's Aasha Davis!
Aasha Davis at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills, CA
Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
An American Horror Story: Asylum teaser clip has arrived to give you nightmares.
Comedian and Lgbt ally Chelsea Handler is all suited up on the cover of Marie Claire @Work. I'm digging her look.
U.S. Olympic goalkeeper Hope Solo accused her former Dancing With the Stars partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy of slapping her “across the face” in her memoir Solo: A Memoir of Hope. Solo said Chmerkovskiy “was extremely apologetic” but that the blow was “powerful enough that her ears rang afterwards.” This is not Ok.
Lesbian comedian Ever Mainard is featured in Get Cash 4 Rights, a spoof of those ridiculous Get Cash 4 Gold commercials.
Noomi Rapace will...
- 8/17/2012
- by Bridget McManus
- AfterEllen.com
Wamg was at the World Premiere of Focus Features. ParaNorman at Universal City Walk Sunday, August 5, 2012 with Leslie Mann, Anna Kendrick, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jeff Garlin, among others… and we’ve got photos from the red carpet!
*All photographs are property We Are Movie Geeks
Paranorman voice actors Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Tempestt Bledsoe, Tucker Albrizzi, Jeff Garlin, Jodelle Ferland; moviemakers Sam Fell (director), Chris Butler (director/screenwriter), and Travis Knight (producer/lead animator); other guests include Aasha Davis, Amy Brenneman, Bella Thorne, Billy Unger, Breckin Meyer, Cimorelli, Daphne Blunt, Dave Foley, Dee Rees, Dylan Riley Snyder, Emma Kenney, Ernie Hudson, Gilles Marini, Holly Marie Combs, Judd Apatow, Justine Ezarik, Katherine McNamara, Kevin Misher, Lorene Scafaria, Ming-Na, Olivia Holt, Ricki Lake, Rob Morrow, Samantha Mumba, Sanaa Hamri, Shane Acker, Sierra McCormick, Taylor Armstrong, Taylor Spreitler, Teala Dunn, Tia Carrere, Tom Sizemore, Wayne Brady and many more!
ParaNorman is set...
*All photographs are property We Are Movie Geeks
Paranorman voice actors Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Tempestt Bledsoe, Tucker Albrizzi, Jeff Garlin, Jodelle Ferland; moviemakers Sam Fell (director), Chris Butler (director/screenwriter), and Travis Knight (producer/lead animator); other guests include Aasha Davis, Amy Brenneman, Bella Thorne, Billy Unger, Breckin Meyer, Cimorelli, Daphne Blunt, Dave Foley, Dee Rees, Dylan Riley Snyder, Emma Kenney, Ernie Hudson, Gilles Marini, Holly Marie Combs, Judd Apatow, Justine Ezarik, Katherine McNamara, Kevin Misher, Lorene Scafaria, Ming-Na, Olivia Holt, Ricki Lake, Rob Morrow, Samantha Mumba, Sanaa Hamri, Shane Acker, Sierra McCormick, Taylor Armstrong, Taylor Spreitler, Teala Dunn, Tia Carrere, Tom Sizemore, Wayne Brady and many more!
ParaNorman is set...
- 8/7/2012
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It’s a familiar tabloid story: Out of nowhere two celebs get married, and the media explodes with speculation and judgment. But what if one of them was an out-and-proud TV star and the other played for the L.A. Dodgers — the first openly gay pro baseball player ever?
That’s the premise of Husbands, the web series from Once Upon a Time, Battlestar Galactica, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer Jane Espenson and actor and YouTube star Brad “Cheeks” Bell. The first 11 episodes premiered last fall to wide acclaim — that’s no exaggeration, it got a rave from The...
That’s the premise of Husbands, the web series from Once Upon a Time, Battlestar Galactica, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer Jane Espenson and actor and YouTube star Brad “Cheeks” Bell. The first 11 episodes premiered last fall to wide acclaim — that’s no exaggeration, it got a rave from The...
- 6/28/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside TV
I'm a little late to the party on this, but . . . if you've ever been "one of the few" in your office/workplace, then you must watch Aasha Davis (Pariah) in the first three episodes of the web series, the Unwritten Rules, based on series creator Kim Williams' book 40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a Nigger, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman. The Unwritten Rules is a funny and realistic series that will appeal to those of us who aren't necessarily the awkward ones at our jobs. Writer/creator Williams describes it as a series which "examines the comedic realities of being an African-American in a predominantly white...
- 6/19/2012
- by Emmanuel Akitobi
- ShadowAndAct
Chicago – 2011 featured a series of uncommonly affecting films from female directors about young women grappling with their sexual identities. In all three cases, the heroines strain to keep their lesbianism a secret from their families. Céline Sciamma’s “Tomboy” centered on a 10-year-old girl who posed as a boy, while Maryam Keshavarz’s “Circumstance” explored the forbidden romance of two Iranian teens.
These films are so good that it makes one wonder why there aren’t as many accomplished films about young men coming to terms with their homosexuality. Queer cinema too often falls under the stereotypical categorization of soft-core art house fare with earnest messages and amateurish production values. They seem tailor-made for a niche audience, but what makes “Tomboy,” “Circumstance” and Dee Rees’s “Pariah” so powerful is their resonance as universal human stories. These characters aren’t defined by their sexual orientations, despite what society would lead them to believe.
These films are so good that it makes one wonder why there aren’t as many accomplished films about young men coming to terms with their homosexuality. Queer cinema too often falls under the stereotypical categorization of soft-core art house fare with earnest messages and amateurish production values. They seem tailor-made for a niche audience, but what makes “Tomboy,” “Circumstance” and Dee Rees’s “Pariah” so powerful is their resonance as universal human stories. These characters aren’t defined by their sexual orientations, despite what society would lead them to believe.
- 5/8/2012
- by [email protected] (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Pariah joins a long line of coming of age dramas set in New York ( in this case Brooklyn ). It deals with a young African-American woman about to finish high school and explore the world. Unlike many of these films, this protagonist is concealing her sexuality from her family and many friends. The title refers to the reaction many have gotten when they’ve come out. They’re treated as pariahs-outcast and ostracized. Writer/ director Dee Rees tells this story with great sensitivity and avoids exploitation and stereotyping.
The film follows Alike ( Adepero Oduye ) during her last few months of high school. She lives with her religious mother Audry ( Kim Wayans ), usually absent policeman father Arthur ( Charles Parnell ) and bratty, spying kid sister Sharonda ( Sahra Mellesse ). Alike is a quiet student who excels in her writing class. After school she meets up with her best pal, the hard-working, living on her...
The film follows Alike ( Adepero Oduye ) during her last few months of high school. She lives with her religious mother Audry ( Kim Wayans ), usually absent policeman father Arthur ( Charles Parnell ) and bratty, spying kid sister Sharonda ( Sahra Mellesse ). Alike is a quiet student who excels in her writing class. After school she meets up with her best pal, the hard-working, living on her...
- 1/20/2012
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Chicago – The exploration of culture, so tied to class and social standing, is not explored too often in mainstream films. In 2009, there was “Precious,” and this year the stand out is “Pariah.” Writer/director Dee Rees formulates a passionate story about a racial/social/orientation fish out of water.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
What is beautiful about the film is its intensity, and how far the ensemble cast was willing to go in a narrative regarding an African American teenage girl who wants to come out as a lesbian. Everybody in the cast, from leads to one-liners, had a real truth to them, there was a palpable desire to tell this story properly, and without sensationalism. The actress who portrays the conflicted teenager was especially strong, and gave a dignity and purpose to her character that made her heroic.
Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a middle class African American teenager in Brooklyn, with a...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
What is beautiful about the film is its intensity, and how far the ensemble cast was willing to go in a narrative regarding an African American teenage girl who wants to come out as a lesbian. Everybody in the cast, from leads to one-liners, had a real truth to them, there was a palpable desire to tell this story properly, and without sensationalism. The actress who portrays the conflicted teenager was especially strong, and gave a dignity and purpose to her character that made her heroic.
Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a middle class African American teenager in Brooklyn, with a...
- 1/6/2012
- by [email protected] (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
-- "Pariah," writer-director Dee Rees' feature debut, achieves a difficult, intriguing balance. It's at once raw and dreamlike, specific to a particular, personal rite of passage yet widely relatable in its message of being true to oneself.
Adepero Oduye gives a subtly natural performance as Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old Brooklyn girl who's struggling to come out as a lesbian. Each day at school, she dresses the way that makes her feel comfortable in baggy T-shirts and baseball caps, and she pals around with her brash best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), who's already happily out. But on the bus ride home, she must transform herself into the young lady her mother, Audrey (Kim Wayans), approves of and loves. You can see the weight of resignation hanging on her shoulders, the sadness in her eyes as she catches a glimpse of herself in the window.
Audrey hopes arranging a new friendship with a colleague's daughter,...
Adepero Oduye gives a subtly natural performance as Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old Brooklyn girl who's struggling to come out as a lesbian. Each day at school, she dresses the way that makes her feel comfortable in baggy T-shirts and baseball caps, and she pals around with her brash best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), who's already happily out. But on the bus ride home, she must transform herself into the young lady her mother, Audrey (Kim Wayans), approves of and loves. You can see the weight of resignation hanging on her shoulders, the sadness in her eyes as she catches a glimpse of herself in the window.
Audrey hopes arranging a new friendship with a colleague's daughter,...
- 1/5/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
From Executive Producer Spike Lee, Pariah is an independent success story for first-time feature film filmmaker Dee Rees who made this feature length film after her award-winning short film created a lot of buzz on the festival circuit. Watch a clip from Pariah.
In Pariah, 17-year-old Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes boisterous support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents’ marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike’s development becomes a topic of discussion. Pressed by her mother into making the acquaintance of a colleague’s daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), Alike finds Bina to be unexpectedly refreshing to socialize with.
Pariah is in movie theatres December 30th.
Starring
Read more...
In Pariah, 17-year-old Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes boisterous support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents’ marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike’s development becomes a topic of discussion. Pressed by her mother into making the acquaintance of a colleague’s daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), Alike finds Bina to be unexpectedly refreshing to socialize with.
Pariah is in movie theatres December 30th.
Starring
Read more...
- 12/29/2011
- CineMovie
From Executive Producer Spike Lee, Pariah is an independent success story for first-time feature film filmmaker Dee Rees who made this feature length film after her award-winning short film created a lot of buzz on the festival circuit. Watch a clip from Pariah.
In Pariah, 17-year-old Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes boisterous support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents’ marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike’s development becomes a topic of discussion. Pressed by her mother into making the acquaintance of a colleague’s daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), Alike finds Bina to be unexpectedly refreshing to socialize with.
Pariah is in movie theatres December 30th.
Starring
Read more...
In Pariah, 17-year-old Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes boisterous support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents’ marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike’s development becomes a topic of discussion. Pressed by her mother into making the acquaintance of a colleague’s daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), Alike finds Bina to be unexpectedly refreshing to socialize with.
Pariah is in movie theatres December 30th.
Starring
Read more...
- 12/29/2011
- CineMovie
If Lee Daniels‘ Precious made for a heightened, melodramatic, and mostly satisfying expression of the external trials — poverty, an abusive mother, a runaway father — plaguing a New York City-based African-American teenager, then Dee Rees‘ Pariah takes a similar character in a similar locale and tosses her into an opposite realm, one of internal struggles and ultimatums. While that choice is ultimately what hinders Pariah narratively — Rees‘ script is too pinned-down in its protagonist’s inner workings to generate a consistently compelling plot — it’s also what gives the film its unique identity. The events may seem recycled, but the character and the film’s personal perspective certainly do not.
Adepero Oduye, the recent recipient of an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, stars as 17-year-old Alike, an exceptionally intelligent student who shows particular promise with her poetry. She’s reserved for her age, not very talkative, and her enclosed...
Adepero Oduye, the recent recipient of an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, stars as 17-year-old Alike, an exceptionally intelligent student who shows particular promise with her poetry. She’s reserved for her age, not very talkative, and her enclosed...
- 12/28/2011
- by [email protected] (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Figuring out who you are as a teenager isn't an easy task. For many of us, it takes a really long time (some of us are still trying).
In "Pariah," Alike (Adepero Oduye) knows she's gay; that's a done deal. But the bigger question is where she fits into the bigger world. Her family is a major source of grief, but she's also struggling to find her place within the lesbian community. Writer-director Dees Rees' feature-length debut stands out because of the ways it explores the many layers of identity, from class to the butch/femme binary.
Unfortunately, Alike's parents aren't a great source of comfort. Her mom Audrey, played by Kim Wayans, likes to buy Alike girly clothes and go to church. She disapproves of Alike's friendship with Laura (Pernell Walker), who's a butch lesbian and high school dropout. Laura was thrown out by her mom after she came out,...
In "Pariah," Alike (Adepero Oduye) knows she's gay; that's a done deal. But the bigger question is where she fits into the bigger world. Her family is a major source of grief, but she's also struggling to find her place within the lesbian community. Writer-director Dees Rees' feature-length debut stands out because of the ways it explores the many layers of identity, from class to the butch/femme binary.
Unfortunately, Alike's parents aren't a great source of comfort. Her mom Audrey, played by Kim Wayans, likes to buy Alike girly clothes and go to church. She disapproves of Alike's friendship with Laura (Pernell Walker), who's a butch lesbian and high school dropout. Laura was thrown out by her mom after she came out,...
- 12/28/2011
- by Jenni Miller
- NextMovie
At ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on Dec. 7, following a screening of "Pariah," actors Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, and Aasha Davis, producer Nekisa Cooper, and writer-director Dee Rees participated in a Q&A for Back Stage readers and SAG members."Pariah" is a coming-of-age film about a 17-year-old African-American girl with a knack for poetry who struggles with tension in her family as she slowly embraces her identity as a lesbian. About newcomer Oduye's audition for the lead role of Alike, Rees said, "It was very important that the character had an outsider perspective, an outside experience, and Adepero was able to tap into that feeling of isolation and really bring it to the character. From the moment she walked in the room, she was in the zone. She didn't say too much. She just went into it, and she just had it."On the positive response the film has received since its.
- 12/14/2011
- by [email protected] (Jessica Gardner)
- backstage.com
Clips and interviews from Dee Rees-directed Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans The winner of the Cinematography Award and Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival opens December 28th via Focus Features. We've added 6 new clips as well as interviews with Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, director Dee Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper. Also in the cast are Stephanie Andujar, Nina Daniels, Raymond Anthony Thomas and Chanté Lewi. Adepero Oduye, who had earlier starred in the short film, portrays Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, and is a good student at her local high school. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes...
- 12/2/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Pariah movie clips and interviews
Clips and interviews from Dee Rees-directed Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans The winner of the Cinematography Award and Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival opens December 28th via Focus Features. We've added 6 new clips as well as interviews with Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, director Dee Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper. Also in the cast are Stephanie Andujar, Nina Daniels, Raymond Anthony Thomas and Chanté Lewi. Adepero Oduye, who had earlier starred in the short film, portrays Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, and is a good student at her local high school. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes...
- 12/2/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Clips and interviews from Dee Rees-directed Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans The winner of the Cinematography Award and Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival opens December 28th via Focus Features. We've added 6 new clips as well as interviews with Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, director Dee Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper. Also in the cast are Stephanie Andujar, Nina Daniels, Raymond Anthony Thomas and Chanté Lewi. Adepero Oduye, who had earlier starred in the short film, portrays Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, and is a good student at her local high school. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes...
- 12/2/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Director: Dee Rees Writer: Dee Rees Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Charles Parnell, Aasha Davis, Sahra Mellesse Alike (Adepero Oduye) is very shy and totally unsure of herself. At 17-years of age, Alike attempts to define herself by her tomboy wardrobe, as if wearing a placard that boldly states "Kiss me, I'm a lesbian"; because that is really all she wants, a kiss. Hanging around her bull-dyke best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), further accentuates her boyish traits. Of course Alike's overprotective Christian mother (Kim Wayans) does not like that. She wants Alike to wear clothes that flaunt her girlish figure; but that seems to only make Alike rebel more. Luckily, Alike's father (Charles Parnell) is oblivious enough to his surroundings that she is able to maintain a somewhat "normal" relationship with him; while her meddling little sister (Sahra Mellesse) is the only family member who is fully cognizant...
- 10/29/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
★★★★☆ Written and directed by Dee Rees, Pariah (2011) - starring Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans and Aasha Davis - is a refreshingly naturalistic film which explores themes of sexuality and acceptance without ever pandering to the formulaic approach of similar teen dramas.
Pariah opens in a seedy back alley strip bar where Khia's My Neck, My Back (Lick it) - with its exploitative lyrics and earth shattering bass - reverberates at an ear damaging decibel level. Amongst this deeply misogynistic setting we join two effeminate looking young men thrusting dollar bills at the scantily clad dancers aiming to please them. It isn’t until we join them later on the night bus home that we discover these soft skinned young men are actually teenage girls in masculine attire and the horribly lit bar was in fact a lesbian nightclub.
One of these girls is Alike (Adepero Oduye ) a subdued and tender young woman struggling for acceptance.
Pariah opens in a seedy back alley strip bar where Khia's My Neck, My Back (Lick it) - with its exploitative lyrics and earth shattering bass - reverberates at an ear damaging decibel level. Amongst this deeply misogynistic setting we join two effeminate looking young men thrusting dollar bills at the scantily clad dancers aiming to please them. It isn’t until we join them later on the night bus home that we discover these soft skinned young men are actually teenage girls in masculine attire and the horribly lit bar was in fact a lesbian nightclub.
One of these girls is Alike (Adepero Oduye ) a subdued and tender young woman struggling for acceptance.
- 10/16/2011
- by Daniel Green
- CineVue
Craig here (of Take Three fame) reporting for Nathaniel from the BFI London Film Festival which opens today. I started my festival with two gay themed dramas from a couple of emerging filmmakers from the Us (Dee Rees) and the UK (Andrew Haigh). They've both made invigatoring narrative debuts.
Dee Rees’ New York coming out drama Pariah shows its mettle from the start: we’re dropped right in the thick of it, headfirst into a lesbian strip club (we hear, “♪ Lick my neck, my back, my pussy and my crack... ♪” on the soundtrack), and introduced to feisty Brooklyn girl and poetry student Alike (Adepero Oduye) thoughtfully yet gingerly sizing up her surroundings. She’s going through identity issues and is finding it hard to open up to her warring parents about her sexuality. Solace comes through friendship with Laura (Pernell Walker) and the possibility of love with local girl Bina...
Dee Rees’ New York coming out drama Pariah shows its mettle from the start: we’re dropped right in the thick of it, headfirst into a lesbian strip club (we hear, “♪ Lick my neck, my back, my pussy and my crack... ♪” on the soundtrack), and introduced to feisty Brooklyn girl and poetry student Alike (Adepero Oduye) thoughtfully yet gingerly sizing up her surroundings. She’s going through identity issues and is finding it hard to open up to her warring parents about her sexuality. Solace comes through friendship with Laura (Pernell Walker) and the possibility of love with local girl Bina...
- 10/13/2011
- by Craig Bloomfield
- FilmExperience
Movie trailer for Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker and Aasha Davis. Directed by Dee Rees. The drama which was a big success when making its premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, opens via Focus Features Winter 2011. De Rees directs the film which stars Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse and Kim Wayans. Pariah is a deeply felt human drama and marks the feature debut of writer/director Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood...
- 6/15/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Movie trailer for Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker and Aasha Davis. Directed by Dee Rees. The drama which was a big success when making its premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, opens via Focus Features Winter 2011. De Rees directs the film which stars Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse and Kim Wayans. Pariah is a deeply felt human drama and marks the feature debut of writer/director Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood...
- 6/15/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Movie trailer for Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker and Aasha Davis. Directed by Dee Rees. The drama which was a big success when making its premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, opens via Focus Features Winter 2011. De Rees directs the film which stars Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse and Kim Wayans. Pariah is a deeply felt human drama and marks the feature debut of writer/director Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood...
- 6/15/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
We're really not sure what's up with the Indigo Girls meets Sarah McLachlan acoustic song that's going on in the beginning of this trailer (ok, we do, but really?), but "Pariah," a 2011 drama that was shown at Sundance 2011 to major acclaim, subsequently picked up by Focus Features, looks pretty damn great. Heralded in some circles as a gritty, urban counter-part to Lee Daniels' breakout Sundance pic "Precious," this humanist drama focusing on sexuality and identity issues, is the feature-length directorial debut of Dee Rees who also wrote the picture. Starring newcomer Adepero Oduye, plus Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis,…...
- 6/10/2011
- The Playlist
One of the most buzzed-about titles coming out of Sundance Film Festival this year was the feature-length directorial debut of Dee Rees, Pariah. Based off of her short film of the same name, the drama follows a 17-year old African American lesbian (Adepero Oduye) in Brooklyn who’s trying to find her place in the world.
Focus Features picked up the film in a seven-figure deal, as well as signing to Rees next film. We now have the first trailer via Apple and I can see why the film won Best Cinematography in the dramatic category. Also starring Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse, Kim Wayans, one can see the trailer below.
Synopsis:
A rousing success at its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, this deeply felt human drama is the feature debut of writer/director Dee Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American...
Focus Features picked up the film in a seven-figure deal, as well as signing to Rees next film. We now have the first trailer via Apple and I can see why the film won Best Cinematography in the dramatic category. Also starring Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse, Kim Wayans, one can see the trailer below.
Synopsis:
A rousing success at its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, this deeply felt human drama is the feature debut of writer/director Dee Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African-American...
- 6/9/2011
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Reviewed by Jeremy Mathews
(from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Dee Rees
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Nina Daniels, Charles Parnell and Joey Auzenne
There’s no doubt that Alike (Adepero Oduye) would like the acceptance of her parents — who deep down already know that she’s a lesbian, even if they won’t admit it to themselves. But she’d also like to lose her virginity. Such is the scattered mind of youth captured so well in “Pariah,” Dee Rees’ film about the hope, frustration, confusion, heartbreak and anger that comes with coming of age. It doesn’t rely on any single achievement to give Alike’s story a tidy narrative conclusion but allows its characters to live and breath — and figure out where they’re going.
“Pariah” will almost certainly earn some comparisons to 2009′s “Precious.” Both films came out of Sundance...
(from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Dee Rees
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Nina Daniels, Charles Parnell and Joey Auzenne
There’s no doubt that Alike (Adepero Oduye) would like the acceptance of her parents — who deep down already know that she’s a lesbian, even if they won’t admit it to themselves. But she’d also like to lose her virginity. Such is the scattered mind of youth captured so well in “Pariah,” Dee Rees’ film about the hope, frustration, confusion, heartbreak and anger that comes with coming of age. It doesn’t rely on any single achievement to give Alike’s story a tidy narrative conclusion but allows its characters to live and breath — and figure out where they’re going.
“Pariah” will almost certainly earn some comparisons to 2009′s “Precious.” Both films came out of Sundance...
- 2/5/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Reviewed by Jeremy Mathews
(from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Dee Rees
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Nina Daniels, Charles Parnell and Joey Auzenne
There’s no doubt that Alike (Adepero Oduye) would like the acceptance of her parents — who deep down already know that she’s a lesbian, even if they won’t admit it to themselves. But she’d also like to lose her virginity. Such is the scattered mind of youth captured so well in “Pariah,” Dee Rees’ film about the hope, frustration, confusion, heartbreak and anger that comes with coming of age. It doesn’t rely on any single achievement to give Alike’s story a tidy narrative conclusion but allows its characters to live and breath — and figure out where they’re going.
“Pariah” will almost certainly earn some comparisons to 2009′s “Precious.” Both films came out of Sundance...
(from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: Dee Rees
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Nina Daniels, Charles Parnell and Joey Auzenne
There’s no doubt that Alike (Adepero Oduye) would like the acceptance of her parents — who deep down already know that she’s a lesbian, even if they won’t admit it to themselves. But she’d also like to lose her virginity. Such is the scattered mind of youth captured so well in “Pariah,” Dee Rees’ film about the hope, frustration, confusion, heartbreak and anger that comes with coming of age. It doesn’t rely on any single achievement to give Alike’s story a tidy narrative conclusion but allows its characters to live and breath — and figure out where they’re going.
“Pariah” will almost certainly earn some comparisons to 2009′s “Precious.” Both films came out of Sundance...
- 2/5/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Rating: 4/5
Writer: Dee Rees
Director: Dee Rees
Cast: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Aasha Davis
As the film Pariah unfolds, we find ourselves in the middle of the New York City club scene as loud music vibrates throughout the theater and we focus in on two teenage boys, somewhere they probably should not be. As the two wrap up their night and part ways, we realize that this is not a story about a boy possibly rebelling against his parents, but rather a story of a girltrying to figure out who she is. As Alike (Adepero Oduye) takes off her baseball hat and puts her earrings back in her ears, it is clear this is not the first time she has shifted from one world to the other.
Read more on Sundance 2011 Review: Pariah…...
Writer: Dee Rees
Director: Dee Rees
Cast: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Aasha Davis
As the film Pariah unfolds, we find ourselves in the middle of the New York City club scene as loud music vibrates throughout the theater and we focus in on two teenage boys, somewhere they probably should not be. As the two wrap up their night and part ways, we realize that this is not a story about a boy possibly rebelling against his parents, but rather a story of a girltrying to figure out who she is. As Alike (Adepero Oduye) takes off her baseball hat and puts her earrings back in her ears, it is clear this is not the first time she has shifted from one world to the other.
Read more on Sundance 2011 Review: Pariah…...
- 2/1/2011
- by Allison Loring
- GordonandtheWhale
Out director Dee Rees has closed on an acquisition deal with Focus Features for her feature film, Pariah. Deadline.com reports at least two other distributors were interested in the film, which has garnered major buzz at Sundance this year, but Focus won out, as they did with last year's acquisition, The Kids Are All Right.
Pariah is a film that not only delves into a young girl's burgeoning sexuality, but the story of Alike, a 17-year-old black butch-identified girl who is trying to figure herself out amongst her peers and family in Brooklyn. She leads a double life of sorts, trying to be feminine enough at home to please her mother while attempting to be happy with herself and living life as an openly queer woman. (Check out our Pariah video diaries for more information on the film and its journey at Sundance.)
On Tuesday, Rees joined the directors...
Pariah is a film that not only delves into a young girl's burgeoning sexuality, but the story of Alike, a 17-year-old black butch-identified girl who is trying to figure herself out amongst her peers and family in Brooklyn. She leads a double life of sorts, trying to be feminine enough at home to please her mother while attempting to be happy with herself and living life as an openly queer woman. (Check out our Pariah video diaries for more information on the film and its journey at Sundance.)
On Tuesday, Rees joined the directors...
- 1/28/2011
- by Trish Bendix
- AfterEllen.com
Exclusive: Focus Features has closed an acquisition deal for worldwide rights for Pariah, the Dee Rees-directed coming of age story of a 17-year old African American teen from Brooklyn trying to find her place in the world, and coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. Besides the acquisition, Focus has also engaged Rees to write another script with an eye for her to direct. The deal was in the seven figure range. The film, which stars Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Aasha Davis, created much buzz since its premiere last Thursday at the Eccles Theatre. It is a handle-with-care first film, but it showed enough promise that Rees has been courted by agents since the film's premiere and many feel she will be an emerging artistic voice. The picture was exec produced by indie icon Spike Lee, and produced by Nekisa Cooper. John Sloss...
- 1/28/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Focus Features will distribute Pariah, worldwide. Dee Rees directs the coming of age story starring Adepero Oduye as a 17-year old African American teen from Brooklyn trying to find her place in the world. The story deals with her coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. Also starring in Pariah are Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Aasha Davis. According to Deadline, Rees has also been engaged by Focus to write another script with an eye to direct as well. Deal was apparently in the seven figure range...
- 1/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Focus Features will distribute Pariah, worldwide. Dee Rees directs the coming of age story starring Adepero Oduye as a 17-year old African American teen from Brooklyn trying to find her place in the world. The story deals with her coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. Also starring in Pariah are Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Aasha Davis. According to Deadline, Rees has also been engaged by Focus to write another script with an eye to direct as well. Deal was apparently in the seven figure range...
- 1/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Focus Features will distribute Pariah, worldwide. Dee Rees directs the coming of age story starring Adepero Oduye as a 17-year old African American teen from Brooklyn trying to find her place in the world. The story deals with her coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. Also starring in Pariah are Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Aasha Davis. According to Deadline, Rees has also been engaged by Focus to write another script with an eye to direct as well. Deal was apparently in the seven figure range...
- 1/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
It has been another great year of film. I still have but seven movies left to watch before I complete my “Best of the Year List” but we are already looking towards 2011.
The 57 feature films selected for the four competition programs of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, and the titles include some exciting works from returning filmmakers. While the lineup isn’t has loaded with big names it does feature the return of James Marsh whose documentary Man on Wire won the Grand Jury Prize at the fest in 2008. Some interesting movies we should mention that appear on the list are Mike Cahill’s Another Earth, Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos), Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) Rashaad Ernesto Green‘s Gun Hill Road, Sean Durkin‘s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean‘s On the Ice, Dee Rees...
The 57 feature films selected for the four competition programs of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, and the titles include some exciting works from returning filmmakers. While the lineup isn’t has loaded with big names it does feature the return of James Marsh whose documentary Man on Wire won the Grand Jury Prize at the fest in 2008. Some interesting movies we should mention that appear on the list are Mike Cahill’s Another Earth, Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos), Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) Rashaad Ernesto Green‘s Gun Hill Road, Sean Durkin‘s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean‘s On the Ice, Dee Rees...
- 12/2/2010
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
It's the first day in December, and whether you want to recognize it or not, January isn't too far away. Today the awesome folks at the Sundance Film Festival unveiled their first list of films, international and domestic, which will be presented at the festival. Check it out, and yes there are more to come. Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.For the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, 115 feature-length films were selected, representing 28 countries by 40 first-time filmmakers, including 25 in competition. These films were selected from 3,812 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,943 U.S. and 1,869 international feature-length films.
- 12/1/2010
- LRMonline.com
As we’re getting ready to wrap up another great year of film, some are already looking to 2011 and what it will have to offer and what better way to look a head than with the first round of titles for the year’s first big festival: Sundance.
The list of festival titles isn’t as loaded with as many big name titles as have made the cut in previous years but there’s are definitely some interesting film in the competition line-up including Mike Cahill’s Another Earth which takes place on the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth (wicked!), Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos) about a guy who finds a pile of dead bodies in the middle of his crops, Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) along with the Canadian/Japanese co-production Vampire.
Loads of great stuff on the line-up.
The list of festival titles isn’t as loaded with as many big name titles as have made the cut in previous years but there’s are definitely some interesting film in the competition line-up including Mike Cahill’s Another Earth which takes place on the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth (wicked!), Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos) about a guy who finds a pile of dead bodies in the middle of his crops, Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) along with the Canadian/Japanese co-production Vampire.
Loads of great stuff on the line-up.
- 12/1/2010
- QuietEarth.us
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