Comments on: Precious in the Age of Obama

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:57:16 +0000

I’m just thrilled that so many people seem interested in a movie starring a Black woman! We’re always told that white people won’t see movies that don’t have a white lead and men won’t see movies that star women, and I think this movie will prove those people wrong.

Also, Lee Daniels is an out gay man. It would have been fabulous to have a woman-oriented movie directed by a woman, but he’s still not exactly the status quo!

By: Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes)

Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:10:41 +0000

Gina,
sadly, the story is not just a stereotype. There are so many very similar, too real, real life stories like that unfolding in a neighborhood not too far from you.

The critique might not want to know this story, he may not like how in your face it is, but, it’s a part of this American life you wont hear about on NPR. This film is a public service.

Anyone who has volunteered at a shelter can attest to that.

By: Gina

Gina — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:20:09 +0000

The film critic Armond White abhorred this film. Not sure what to think, I’ll see it for myself and decide. I do think that African American films suffer from the same problem that women’s films do, in that they are rewarded when they play to stereotypes. Films that transcend those stereotypes or show a more accurate portrait of life as it is, don’t do as well, since they’re not embraced by the powers that be.

By: Rachel Simmons

Rachel Simmons — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:49:21 +0000

Great post, Melissa – I didn’t know all that about the writer. I am really excited to see the film next week!

By: Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes)

Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:42:59 +0000

If he wins it will be a triumph for AA directors, but, the AA female directors…? Maybe in 20 years.

By: Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes)

Thomai in L.A. (it rhymes) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:40:04 +0000

The book knocked me over when I read it. It was the 90’s, I was living in Brooklyn and I remember forgetting to get off the train the day after I read it. The book left me stunned for days.

As for males adapting for screen and directing (and probably most other positions that aren’t hair/m/u wardrobe and scripty) it’s more likely to get an Oscar nom…unlike Monster, I bet the director of this film will get the nom- he is a man after all and men get nominated for directing films.
Maybe he’ll even win.

There is a female director out there that could have done as good if not a better job, I know it. Did anyone look? I doubt it.

By: Tweets that mention Precious in the Age of Obama | Women & Hollywood -- Topsy.com

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:21:06 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Silverstein and Janice Formichella, Candice Frederick. Candice Frederick said: great piece on 'Precious' RT @melsil New at Women & Hollywood: Precious in the Age of Obama http://tinyurl.com/y9rchqo [...]

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:17:26 +0000

I can’t wait to see Precious. Yes, Lee Daniels has a HUGE ego, not uncommon for a male director. One way to look at it is an African American telling a story about an African American, thus sparing us the from the delusional inspirational tales of white teachers going to ghetto to teach their students self esteem through dance, singing – you know what I mean. On the flip side, if women were allowed to tell their own stories about their own experiences, it wouldn’t matter that this film was made by a man. He would just be one more voice, in a sea of voices. But we are not allowed to tell our story, unless it’s filtered through a male viewpoint. Women aren’t an audience, right, that’s what they keep telling us.