Pariah Acclaimed for Exploration of Black Female Sexual Identity

December 23rd, 2011 - By Brande Victorian

“Pariah” is already being considered a contender for an Oscar just a few days following its limited theater release, and the film was a large hit at the Sundance Festival earlier this year.

The largely autobiographical production from Dee Rees is, as the New York Times says, a “film made by a black lesbian about being a black lesbian.” It explores issues of identity, alienation, and sexuality among young black girls, while Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell also depict the struggle with denial and acceptance many parents go through–particularly African Americans–as they watch their child come into their sexuality.

What began as just a feature script in 2005 was expanded into a feature project with the support of several independent film studios and shot over 19 days in Brooklyn. Check out the trailer for the film and tell us what you think.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • Zalexandraelisa

    My beef: Whenever there is a movie about dysfunctional black womanhood, dysfunctional character that is showcased is always a dark-skinned black woman: Precious, Celie,Tasha from “Why Did I Get Married”, and “Daddy’s Little Girls” etc.  It is awful the way brown skinned women are attacked in the media, while light skinned black women have happy homes, are able to communicate without resorting to coonery, and get married in the end. Just my observation.   

    • JN31

      What about Halle Berry in Monsters Ball? Thandie Newton in just about every other role she’s played? Gloria Rueben in E.R.? Jada Pinkett-Smith in Menace II Society?
      What about this character, played by a darker skinned female is dysfunctional?

    • Pivyque

      Let’s not forget the crazy light skinned woman in “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate”. There was nothing happy about her…or the 2 light skinned women in “Player’s Club”..Lisa Raye and her cousin if I remember correctly.

  • Irealand

    Awe…another tool to breakdown the black family. If we don’t gave enough odd stacked against , they want us to eat and swallow this ish? ….I guess the plan to rid America of its stain “African Americans” is working….Two women or two men can procreate and those who are procrating are seeking mates from other races….These new “blacks” are going to challenge the status quo and not want to be consisted just African American….. OM just tired of all thus ish out here redirecting the thinking of black people!

    • JN31

      I’m wondering if you’ve even watched the movie? I haven’t, but I’m pretty sure there is no reference to the main character ‘procreating’ since she’s an adolescent not has there been a confirmation that the mother and father actually ‘broke down’ and separated. The fact that they have a married black family, living in a middle class household going through the normal growing pains and relationship issues with a sensitivity and perspective usually reserved for anyone other than people of color is in its self a great feat. Real issues being handled on a dramatic/realistic level opposed to comedy and satire is something that should be looked at, especially on a movie with critical acclaim. Again, I haven’t seen the movie but plan to. We should all be willing to support each other and save our disdain (if any) until after actually watching it. If it isn’t your cup of tea, you simply just don’t have to watch it.

  • Miss Shaun

    Looks awesome. And it’s refreshing to see Kim Wayans in a more serious role. I can’t wait to check it out. I just hope that people understand the meaning behind the film, and not criticize it the way they did Precious. 

  • Chigirl

    I saw this movie in Chicago at an LGBT film fest…moving, thought provoking.

  • http://blackplanet.com/dcb514 D.C. Price, MBA,PMP,MCTS,CNA

    Where do I see this?  Is it on the DVD market for purchase?

  • Distinctly Femme

    I saw this movie during an early screening in Dallas…awesome movie.