PARIAH

US, 2011, 86 minutes, Colour.
Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Kim Wayans.
Directed by Dee Rees.

Pariah is a brief film of 2011, a small portrait of an African- American teenager, her life at home and relationship with her parents, her relationship with friends, her discoveries about herself and, especially, her sexual orientation.

The film was written and directed by Dee Rees who was Oscar-nominated for her fine film about race relationships during the 1940s, Mudbound.

Adepero Oduye gives a complex performance as the teenager, Alike, preoccupied with herself and her orientation, bonding with friends despite suspicion of parents.

The film raises serious issues about orientations in the context of family, school, friendships.

1. A film for American audiences? Black American audiences?

2. A film about sexual orientation, a young girl, black girl, teenager? Confusion? Discovery? Future?

3. The setting, the family, the role of the parents, sister, school, friends, clubs and outings? The musical score?

4. The city setting, the neighbourhood, homes, streets, meeting venues?

5. The character of Alike? Her age, behaviour, identity, questions, female attraction, the influence of her father, the demands of her mother? Approval and disapproval of friends?

6. The details of her life, at home, school, education, social life?

7. Her friendship with Laura, Laura’s personality? Others dislike of Laura? The meetings, discussions, friendship, intimacy? Alike finding her own identity?

8. The encounter with Bina, the attraction, the effect on Alike, the effect on Laura?

9. The serious discussions, audience response to the different points of view, sympathy towards Alike, sympathy towards her mother? Or not?

10. The future, Alike and her relationships, the effect on her life?