Pariah (2011 film)
Encyclopedia
Pariah is a 2011 contemporary drama film written and directed by Dee Rees. It tells the story of Alike (Adepero Oduye), a 17-year old African–American teenager embracing her identity as a lesbian.
It premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
and was awarded the Excellence in Cinematography Award.
) and Arthur (Charles Parnell
) – and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Alike excels in poetry and is a good student at her local high school.
Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the 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.
as Arthur, Alike’s father; Kim Wayans
as Audrey, Alike’s mother; Pernell Walker as Laura, Alike’s best friend; Sahra Mellesse as Sharonda, Alike’s younger sister.
is among the feature’s executive producers.
Filming took place in and around New York City
predominantly in the Fort Greene neighborhood in Brooklyn
.
and was awarded the Excellence in Cinematography Award. The film will also show at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2011.
In his New York Times article, film critic A.O. Scott wrote that to watch Adepero Oduye play Alike “is to experience the thrill of discovery.” Scott continued by saying that “Pariah has a point to make, and a point of view to argue, but it also, above all, wants to illuminate an individual universe of meaning and emotion.” Adepero Oduye was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
.[
It premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
2011 Sundance Film Festival
The 27th annual Sundance Film Festival took place from January 20, 2011 until January 30, 2011 in Park City, Utah, with screenings in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ogden, Utah, and Sundance, Utah....
and was awarded the Excellence in Cinematography Award.
Plot
The film focuses on Alike (played by Adepero Oduye), a 17 year old African-American teenager who lives with her parents – Audrey (Kim WayansKim Wayans
Kim Wayans is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer and director. She is also a member of the Wayans family.-Early life:...
) and Arthur (Charles Parnell
Charles Parnell
Charles Parnell may refer to:*Charles Stewart Parnell , Irish nationalist political leader*Charles Parnell...
) – and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Alike excels in poetry and is a good student at her local high school.
Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the 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.
Cast
Adepero Oduye as Alike; Aasha Davis as Bina, Alike’s love interest; Charles ParnellCharles Parnell
Charles Parnell may refer to:*Charles Stewart Parnell , Irish nationalist political leader*Charles Parnell...
as Arthur, Alike’s father; Kim Wayans
Kim Wayans
Kim Wayans is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer and director. She is also a member of the Wayans family.-Early life:...
as Audrey, Alike’s mother; Pernell Walker as Laura, Alike’s best friend; Sahra Mellesse as Sharonda, Alike’s younger sister.
Production and preparation
The film is a feature-length expansion of writer/director Dee Rees’ award-winning 2007 short film Pariah. Spike LeeSpike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
is among the feature’s executive producers.
Filming took place in and around New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
predominantly in the Fort Greene neighborhood in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
Reception
Pariah premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival2011 Sundance Film Festival
The 27th annual Sundance Film Festival took place from January 20, 2011 until January 30, 2011 in Park City, Utah, with screenings in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ogden, Utah, and Sundance, Utah....
and was awarded the Excellence in Cinematography Award. The film will also show at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2011.
In his New York Times article, film critic A.O. Scott wrote that to watch Adepero Oduye play Alike “is to experience the thrill of discovery.” Scott continued by saying that “Pariah has a point to make, and a point of view to argue, but it also, above all, wants to illuminate an individual universe of meaning and emotion.” Adepero Oduye was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
The Film Independent's Spirit Award for Best Female Lead is one of the annual Independent Spirit Awards.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:...
.[