Global Visions Film Series: Precious

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-24-2012

Abstract

Global Visions Film Series: Precious

Set in Harlem in 1987, the movie “Precious” focuses on sixteen-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones, who is a morbidly obese girl. Precious suffers from a complete lack of self-worth and refers to herself as "ugly black grease to be washed from the street." Such blatant disgust for herself is the lens that audience viewers begin to know her.

Precious is basically illiterate, she’s pregnant (for the second time) through ongoing sexual abuse by her father. In addition to the extraordinary difficulties just described, Precious must contend with her mother’s lack of support.

The relationship between mother and daughter is the axis of the film, and through this relationship we watch an unblinking account of monstrous physical and psychological abuse that explains the sharp contrast between Precious' inner and outer lives. While the subject of the film is undeniably painful, it is none-the-less important. Precious finds herself in a school for “difficult and disadvantaged” students, and through the dedication of her teacher she finds acceptance and redemption.

The film “…wowed audiences at this year's Sundance festival in January, where it won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize, and a Special Jury Prize for comedian Mo’Nique in her first dramatic role. The film is being called "inspiring," "powerful," "potent and moving," and "courageous and uncompromising…Most likely, it [the film] has come to your attention because it's presented by media powerhouses Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.”

It’s no wonder that “Precious” won the stamp of approval and rave reviews from Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. It is a uniquely power film that brings to light the possibility of personal triumph in the face of extreme hardships experienced in the face of unequal odds. I personally highly recommend this film for students across all disciplines, and in recognition of Black History Month.

Marcia Mikulak

Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, UND

Global Visions Film Series to continue 9th year on Tuesdays and Wednesday’s in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl at UND

The Department of Anthropology’s popular Global Visions Film Series (GVFS) will bring an exciting array of films to the community of Grand Forks for the 9th consecutive year. The Global Visions Film Series presents films each month in the Memorial Union Lecture Bowl on the campus of the University of North Dakota. The series is currently the only venue in Grand Forks to view award-winning, nationally recognized independent films from a wide variety of contemporary film makers around the world. This fall, the series will bring nine films to UND. All films begin at 7 p.m.

This semester, Global Visions is partnering with the University of North Dakota’s Center for Human Rights and Genocide Studies in the presentation of the film Question One, screened on March 21. In addition, the series is assisting in supporting the upcoming exhibit of the Holocaust Memorial Museum’s exhibit “Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals: 1933-1945 in the UND Memorial Union on March 1 – 25th. We are also collaborating with the UND Era Bell Johnson Multicultural Center and the new Interim director Melika Carter.

All films in the Global Visions Film Series are award winning national and international films, whose cinematic acuity and artistic perspectives reveal the realities of daily life from cross-cultural perspectives, exposing the unity and disparity of the human condition around the world.

All films begin at 7 p.m. on various Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this semester. The series will continue from now until May 9th, at the UND Memorial Union Lecture Bowl. The series is free and open to the public. Suggested donations of $1.00 are encouraged. Film-goers are encouraged to come early to ensure a seat.

Other movies include:

  • Precious, 2009 – Wednesday, February 29
  • The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler 2009 – Monday, March 5
  • Question One – Wednesday, March 21 (Partnership with the UND Center for Human Rights & Genocide Studies
  • Whaledreamers 2008 – Tuesday, April 10
  • Earth 2007 – Tuesday, April 24
  • Transamerica – Wednesday, May 2
  • The Laramie Project 2002 – Wednesday, May 9

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