PARIAH

Year: 2011
USA: Focus Features
Cast: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse, Kim Wayans, Shamika Cotton, Ray Anthony Thomas, Afton Williamson, Zabryna Guevara, Kim Sykes, Rob Morgan, Nina Daniels, Jeremie Harris
Director: Dee Rees
Country: USA
USA: 86 mins
USA Rated: R for sexual content and language
USA Release Date: 28 December 2011 (Limited Release)


Synopsis

From executive producer Spike Lee, this debut feature is an expansion of Dee Rees’ short film of the same name, which screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Adepero Oduye, who previously starred in the short film, 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 Mallesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood.

Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the support of her best friend Laura (Pernell Walker), she is especially eager to find a girlfriend. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor and tenacity, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward.