Pariah is a 2011 American 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.
Plot (Spoiler Alert)
Alike is a 17 year old African American girl who hangs out at clubs with her openly lesbian friend Laura. Alike slowly and firmly comes to terms with her own identity as a butch lesbian, comfortable in baggy clothes and male underwear. Her mother Audrey approves of neither her clothes nor her friendship with Laura. Harboring growing suspicions about Alike's sexuality, Audrey forces her to wear feminine clothing and tries to stem any influence from Laura by pushing Alike to instead make friends with a young girl from her church. Alike has a better relationship with her father Arthur, who is a police officer. ... continue reading>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pariah_%282011_film%29
Cast
- Adepero Oduye as Alike
- Aasha Davis as Bina, Alike’s love interest
- Charles Parnell 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
Reception Pariah premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was awarded the Excellence in Cinematography Award. The film will also show at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2011.