Precious – Gabourey Sidibe audition tape
Precious formerly titled Push is directed by Lee Daniels is based on a novel by Sapphire of the same name. It is worth noting that the word “Sapphire” is one of the stereotypes of Black women in which she is portrayed as strident, aggressive and hostile. This is very often the image of the dark-skinned Black woman prevalent in contemporary popular culture. It also dominates the caricatures of black women by comedians and impersonators.
Push was Sapphire’s first novel and is a relentless story of the physical and sexual abuse of an obese black girl called Clareece Precious Jones. The movie is based on the book is now been directed by Lee Daniels who was the Oscar winning producer of Monster’s Ball. He is the only African American to win an award as a producer.
While i think it is great to see varied roles for Black actresses. It is interesting that an unknown was cast in the role and I am sharing the audition tape for the actress Gabourey Sidibe. What no big dark-skinned actresses out there? Renee Zellweger did put on weight for Bridget Jones. Also all the mainstream film roles for dark-skinned women so far have been for victim women. Just my observation and I am very happy to be proved wrong.
The film premieres at Sundance on the 11th January.
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Mr Daniels chose an unknown who was untouched(spoiled) by Hollywood. It was his decision. He wanted to create a star and this girl fit what he saw in his minds eye for Precious Jones…I feel like you're hating. She did a great job. Why make Gabriel Union gain weight when you can take a normal fat girl who's been made fun of all her life, the chance to feel special and welcomed in a world of plastic, skinny, pretty people. Good for Ms Sidibe! God bless Mr. Daniels!
Absolutely not. I think it is great that Lee Daniels has made this film. And I am sure she did a great job.
I am also interested in seeing that she is not a one hit wonder. So in view of limited roles available for African descent women out there, how do you see her sustaining an acting career?
wow milo- "Why make Gabriel Union gain weight when you can take a normal fat girl who’s been made fun of all her life, the chance to feel special and welcomed in a world of plastic, skinny, pretty people." There is a lot going on in that sentence.
While Sidibe may be good casting, let's not pretend that she's some how welcomed for playing a role which you are suggesting she's been playing all of her life. There's an assumption about authenticity here that is lurking in these comments that doesn't get raised when renee zellweger plays an average sized British woman.
I have to say I'm nervous about the film particularly because Daniel's is connected to Monster's Ball. I suggest we all read the book and see the film!
I was also nervous about the film because of Monster's Ball which I did not like. However I liked the Woodsman alot so I have given Lee alot of slack. Also he is a very lovely man and I think that counts for a lot in the cut throat movie business.
I agree with you qbg. We have to have actors playing roles and not people acting their lives on screen. Unless it is like performance art or something that makes it quite clear.
I would be interested in hearing Gabourey Sidibe in interviews.
And yes let's read the book and then look at the movie.