Ok, so my promise not to talk about 'Push' is already broken. I said I was not going to talk about the big winner of Sundance until I had to. However even though it won three awards, the film is still without distribution.
There has been talk that this is simply due to the economy.
Somehow I think this is not simply the case. Not only has the film already had 'awards talk' for its two actresses (Mo'Nique and Gabby Sidibe) but it won the Audience Dramatic award and the grand jury Dramatic award. Only one other film has ever done that in the festivals history and that was 'Quinceañera' in 2005 (also about a pregnant teenager - but that one got distribution).
I am pretty sure this film will eventually get seen, however I can also imagine white studio heads thinking "black obese illiterate pregnant teen pregnant by father and living in poverty? No thank you....how about a terrible but lucrative rom-com with Kate Hudson?"
Sure the film will be a marketing challenge, but enough people loved the book, and with those two high(ish) profile wins it should definitely boost interest. 'Maria Full of Grace' and 'Hustle & Flow' were Audience award winners and both did well in terms of gross and awards buzz. Perhaps they need to sell the "Mariah Carey is great in this" angel which sucks, but if it gets people to see it then great!
Perhaps if 'Push' featured pretty white people it would been bought very quickly.
Since I haven't seen the film, or read the book (it arrived today peeps so you know I will be glued - currently reading 'The Cement Garden', but may have to put that one down) people may ask why I care so much?
A gay black man has made a film about an incredibly overweight and sexually abused black teenage girl trying to better herself. He has made a film that he probably knew would be a struggle to get seen. So, regardless of quality, that courage and belief in the story needs to be celebrated.
You may say sexual orientation and race shouldn't matter, and you are right, it shouldn't. Sadly though, to many people, it does.
4 comments:
I was lucky enough to get to see this film at Sundance. If there are two better performances this year I will be stunned.
Glad to see you taking up the cause!
Oh my good crikey! I am so jealous of you right now. I have to remember not to build this film up to be something that in reality it never can reach.
I do it all the time and then get disappointed.
we'll know it'll pick up those actress nominees when we hear the magic words: "fox searchlight"
Your lips to God's ears
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