Backstage

This article was written by Danielle

Born from the same womb as The Color Purple by Alice Walker and the The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison, is the critically acclaimed 1996 published book Push by Sapphire. The 192 page  novel will  be released as a movie called Precious directed by Lee Daniels and  produced by both Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. The film stars, new comer Gabourey Sidibe as the main character, Precious Jones, Monique as the her abusive mother, Paula Patton as Precious’s teacher, Mariah Carey (in rare form) as her social worker along with Kimberly Russell, Sherri Shepard and Lenny Kravitz.

Both in the book and movie, Precious Jones  is a illiterate 16 year old girl who already has 2 children both from HER father, and lives with her equally abusive mother. Kicked out of regular school Precious attends an alternative school where she is befriended by her teacher who helps her find direction in life.

The movie, Precious, has already won three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival which includes the grand jury prize and the audience award  in U.S competition dramatic category.

Read the written interview with Push author, Sapphire which is highly informative and the stunning trailer of the movie, Precious which is  planning to be released in November 2009 under Lionsgate films.  (Read interview here!)