The Audacity of ‘Precious’
I.
At the Cannes International Film Festival in May, in the loud, chaotic bar at the Martinez Hotel, Lee Daniels seemed, as he often does, both ecstatic and nervous. He jumped, he slumped, his mood changing from giddy to anxious. He was the only black man in the crowded bar, a fact that he mentioned and then brushed away. He was dressed unremarkably in a loose, untucked shirt and slouchy khaki pants, but his hair, an electric corona of six-inch fusilli-like spirals, demanded notice. Although Daniels will be 50 this year, he has the bouncy, mercurial energy of a child. The previous night, at the gala screening of his movie “Precious,” which he directed and helped produce, he greeted the audience by saying, “I’m a little homo, I’m a little Euro and I’m a little ghetto.” The crowd cheered.
Daniels knows what he’s selling: his films combine street-smart bravado with an art-house sensibility. “Precious,” the harrowing story of a 350-pound illiterate teenage girl who is pregnant for the second time by her father and horribly abused by her mother, is shot in an almost-documentary style interspersed with fantasy sequences. (It opens Nov. 6.) Like most independent films, it is character-driven, and at its heart is a spirit of understanding. When Precious’s plight lands her in a special school, she blossoms: the audience’s initial rejection of Precious, even repulsion at the sight of her, slowly gives way to a kind of identification.
At Cannes, the film received a 15-minute standing ovation. “They wouldn’t stop clapping,” Daniels told me as he gulped a vodka. “I’m a director — after six minutes, I’m saying, please sit down. But I’m also a producer, so I’m thinking, what’s the record? Can we break the record for the longest standing ovation at the festival?”
Just a few months before its premiere at Cannes, “Precious” won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including a special jury prize for Mo’Nique, who plays Precious’s monstrous mother. Graphic as the film is, it is less so than “Push,” the 1996 novel on which it is based. Written by an African-American poet and writer known as Sapphire, “Push” relied on intentionally misspelled, broken and slangy English to convey Precious’s sense of despair and rage. The novel mixes poems by Precious with sexually extreme scenes, like those in which she is forced to perform oral sex on her mother. It is almost relentlessly bleak: when Precious discovers she is H.I.V.-positive, she is certain of her imminent death. Daniels’s movie, by contrast, offers a greater sense of possibility. He doesn’t ignore her disease, hardships or struggles, but he also liberates her from them. Precious is a stand-in for anyone — black, white, male, female — who has ever been devalued or underestimated.
Yet the movie is not neutral on the subject of race and the prejudices that swirl around it, even in the supposedly postracial age of Obama. “ ‘Precious’ is so not Obama,” Daniels said. “ ‘Precious’ is so not P.C. What I learned from doing the film is that even though I am black, I’m prejudiced. I’m prejudiced against people who are darker than me. When I was young, I went to a church where the lighter-skinned you were, the closer you sat to the altar. Anybody that’s heavy like Precious — I thought they were dirty and not very smart. Making this movie changed my heart. I’ll never look at a fat girl walking down the street the same way again.”
For some audiences, that may not be reason enough to make a movie that risks reinforcing old stereotypes. It’s a criticism Daniels has heard before. “As African-Americans, we are in an interesting place,” Daniels said. “Obama’s the president, and we want to aspire to that. But part of aspiring is disassociating from the face of Precious. To be honest, I was embarrassed to show this movie at Cannes. I didn’t want to exploit black people. And I wasn’t sure I wanted white French people to see our world.” He paused. “But because of Obama, it’s now O.K. to be black. I can share that voice. I don’t have to lie. I’m proud of where I come from. And I wear it like a shield. ‘Precious’ is part of that.”
Before he could untangle this thought, Daniels was interrupted by Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, who had been sitting in a corner booth. “I love your movie,” he said. “It’s a beautiful movie.” Frémaux put out his hand to shake. “C’est incroyable!”
As Frémaux darted away, Daniels looked stunned, then gleeful, then serious. “I am so used to having two faces,” he said, as if to explain his theatrical shifts in mood. “A face that I had for black America and a face for white America. When Obama became president, I lost both faces. Now I only have one face. But old habits die hard, and sometimes I can’t remember who I’m supposed to be.”http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/magazine/25precious-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all
The author is stating the fact that he used to view things according to race. The way african american society is, the common struggles and problems, and compared it to caucasian society, and the differences between the way we live and react. He states, as a result of having Obama as president, he now sees America from one point of view, although he continues to struggle with his old perception of white and black America.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I completely comprehend and understand what the author is saying, I must say that I disagree with his opinions and views.Their has been times where I have compared what I perceived as a white America and a black America, but it has not been to the point where I see things through "two faces." I believed that african americans and minorities for that matter, had equal opportunities at success, way before Obama came into presidency. With all do respect, athough I love and support Obama, I believe that many people,(african americans) in particular, use the white America versus Black America as a crutch and an excuse for lack of success.
Since, african americans are minorities and generally come from different places opposed to other people, their is often struggles and obstacles, but I do not believe it is nothing that cannot be accomplished or too much to handle, because every one goes through adversity, in one way or another.
-Lorina Kegler
As Mr. Daniels has, I too, have had two separate faces for the world. I would constantly tell myself that I was the same person in all enviornments but as I grew older, I realized my own "two-faced" tendencies. I have been raised in an african-american community and school, and a predominantly caucasian church. My tendencies were a result of a discomfort with who I was and mostly around my african-american friends. It always seemed to me that my caucasian friends felt an obligation to accept me the way I was, almost as if they were avoiding conflict and the potential of being called a racist for not liking me. My other world, with african-americans, was crowded with pressure to be "like this" and "do this" and "not that". Naturally, to avoid being isolated, or made fun of, I would often conform to what was expected of me, even though deep down I knew it wasn't cool to be "ghetto" and not care at all.
ReplyDeleteThe transition between these personalities was never easy. I started to wonder if my own REAL personality was either of those and if I ever even knew what I was as an individual. For many people struggling with the same form of identity crisis, namely Mr. Daniels, the election of President Obama had a great impact. For myself, my hardship increased, mostly because of the fact that I am not an Obama supporter and I had long since decided to stick with one face. My african-american peers couldn't fathom the fact that I might POSSIBLY not be behind the first "one of our kind" to be commander-in-chief. My white friends almost felt obligated to be happy for me and celebrate me because "one of my kind" was elected.
Naturally, I resisted both ends. My ONE face, wasn't acceptable for either of my worlds. Unlike Mr. Daniels, I know I am supposed to be myself, but the more society pretends to fly down the rails of racial equality and acceptance, the less comfortable my life becomes.
-Talayne Gardiner
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the author in the idea that two “faces” or personas may exist within individuals. I am positive that I do not interact and associate with absolutely everyone with the exact same persona. Different people elicit different emotional responses and reactions.
ReplyDeleteThese varied personas unconsciously arise for different reasons. One common reason is to avoid conflict, and/or upsetting anyone. There are certain sensitive topics that many believe, should be left out of conversations to avoid any form of conflict, such as common colloquialisms, like the "N" word.
Although I disagree, the usage of this word has become acceptable for African-Americans to refer to themselves and others. However, if a White person even jokingly said this to an African-American, there would be an instantaneous riot.
Consequently, to avoid this common example of a conflict and others like it, individuals unconsciously adapt different personas wherein they avoid potential danger-zones, such as the above.
First off I applaud Daniels for stepping out of the box and bringing this movie to life and showing people what goes on behind closed doors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daniels 100% in regards to the existence of "two faces" or personalities that many of us have. As Daniels, I too have realized that I have 2 sides. For example, the way I hold a conversation with my family or my friends may not be equivalent to the way I speak in an interview or with an administrator. I must admit that even with different ethnicities my persona changes because I don't want to be perceived negatively or labeled as a stereotype based off my actions.
Although I am African-American, I have never attended a predominately black school. I've grown up in diverse communities and before I attended View Park Prep, my previous schools encountered all different types of students. Even though there's two sides to my personailty, I've never felt compelled to be someone I'm not. I've always been able to feel comfortable being myself, regardless of those around me. I can be both sides, unlike those who may be ashamed of their "two faced tendencies", but because I don't want to fit in with society and I am my own person, I am happy with myself.
I strongly agree with Mr. Daniels' observation that many people have "two faces." I have also noticed that everyone has two sides to their personality. The way you speak with your family may be totally different from the way you would speak to a manager of a company during an interview. I change the way I speak when I am around certain groups so they will not label me as the person they thought I was by just looking at me.
ReplyDeleteI attended predominately black schools up until junior high. Once I stepped in this new environment that was very diverse I was overwhelmed. I would never think that I would have friends of a different race than I, and because of that I would change the way I acted around them. Although I may have these "two faced" habits,I never consider myself to be someone I'm not. Everyone knows who I really am and my "two faced" habits only come into play when they are needed.
I somewhat agree with the author in the idea that having two faces or attitudes exist as a natural instinct within blacks to be socially accepted by whites. I however believe that this is not always the case. I for one can attest to believing I am honestly different. I do not act with a different persona according to the race I'm interacting with at the time, I do however act differently around people or environments I believe deserve more respect than others.
ReplyDeleteDuring middle school and my freshman year of high school I was enrolled in academic locations with diverse student bodies. However my best friend since I was 11 is white. Growing up I always found myself associating with his crowd, and his friends, which became my own. A majority of whom were white themselves, because of this many of my black friends would call me "white washed" just because of the fact that I would hang out with him. I didn’t understand why for a long time, I always acted natural with white people because I was always around my friend. When I was with my black friends I would act the exact same way, but suddenly then I was "cool" I didn’t understand the disconnect. I never acted with two sides, because I was always comfortable with people of other races, because of my best friend Dylan
These varied personas however do come out when I'm around different kinds of people and different environments that demand it, not with different raced. I act completely different in a high class restaurant, than I would at Roscos. I talk to elders in a certain manner, which is opposite of how I approach my peers. I understand Lee Daniels claim about split personas. I however cannot say I have experienced it personally, but I do agree that it is a common flaw enacted by many. It is human nature to want to be accepted. We are inherently flawed with natural insecurities; I however believe that everyone should act naturally no matter what race is present. You will be judged regardless, you may as well be judged correctly.
-Joseph Fiddmont
This is very interesting because I just saw a commercial for this movie the other night. I thought it was eye catching and a movie I planned on seeing.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with director's claim about having two personas. Sometimes in order to appeal to a certain group, you have to step out of your character and create "someone" different. Everday people create different personas. For example, teens create two faces. One is for their parents when they go home and the other face for their friends. Teenagers tend to act different around their parents than they do around their friends, creating these two different personalities. Another example of this would be when people are going on interviews. It is common for a person to create another "face" for themselves in order to impress the interviewers. Most of the time, no one acts in an interview how they would in the streets. Creating two-faces isn't a bad thing, but it is very common for most humans to do it.
Since the director creates his persona when it comes to race it is only natural. I know personally, I have created a different face when I am amongst other races. Not because I am ashamed of my race, but because I am afriad of being the "typical" teenage African American. Due to the media and other forms of communication, sterotypes have been plAced on all races, not just blacks. In order to create a different perception of the African American teen girl, I would create this image of when I believe represents us, even though I may not act that way personally. I feel there is a time and plAce to create these two faces and that humans can not help to create them in order to appeal to or get attention from a specific group or audience.
- Ayrica Sawyer
I completely agree with Mr. Daniels claim that people create "two faces," one for black America and another for white America. Both races hold different social and cultural standards. This creates two seperate identities for people caught in the middle, so that they will fit into the seperate groups. By creating these "two faces" these individuals avoid the stareotypes associated with their race and being outcasted from the other group.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Daniels so strongly because I am one of those individuals that has created "two faces" for myself in these different social environments. I attended middle school at a private school in West Hollywood where i was one of a hand full of black students. Now I attened View Park which is in South Los Angeles and nearly every student is African American. My two groups of friends from the different schools hang out in different places, speak different ways, dress differently and have different cultural beliefs. Two assimilate into both groups I have had to create these "two faces" and take on the social normalcies of the group. If I was to act the same way in front of both groups of friends I would stick out. However, i believe people should keep an open mind towards everyone so these "two faces" shouldn't be neccissary and people should be scared to be judged.
The director,Mr.Daniels,is saying that he used to view ideas according to race. I agree with the fact that many people view certain subjects according to race. There is a face for Black America and another for White America. In Mr. Daniels case, he tried to view his own movie according to race to see what people thought was acceptable. Since President Obama has come into office, he has tried to stop looking at things in such a matter but as he stated, "old habits die hard". Since Obama is in office, it is hard for one to think about certain subjects and ideas according to race. He also states that he is now unsure of which face to put on or who he is supposed to be. When one has done things for so long, it is hard to change and you begin to not neccessarily lose yourself, but you begin to contemplate who you want to be or who you should be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Daniels claim that people tend to have “two faces”, this is true because some people hide there true identity. They do this because they’re scared of what others may think of them, so they play this role and change there whole attitude and personality to please someone, but then change back to who they really are when they get around people who are like them. “I am so used to having two faces, a face that I had for black America and a face for white America”. Daniels chose to act this way because when he got around white people he changed his whole perception on certain things because he was embarrassed of being black. So he would act like the whites, but then when he got around his own kind he would change back and act like who he really is. He does this to fit in, and avoid being stereotyped, but since Obama is president he feels that he can be himself and have only one face because Obama is African American and he has broken the barrier for African Americans.
ReplyDelete- Tara Harris
I agree with the claim that was made by Daniels about having “two faces”. I use to go to a school that was predominantly Caucasian and when I would be around them I would I felt compelled to act a certain way. When I would be around my family or other people that were within my culture I would feel more comfortable and as though I belonged.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though some people act this way because many times they feel as though they wont be accepted. When they are around certain cultures it is necessary for them to act a certain way or people from their culture would automatically assume things of them. Due to all the racism that occurs throughout the world it is very easy for many people to develop this mentality. They feel like it is necessary to fit in and if they don’t then they will automatically ridiculed.
-Re’Nada Smith
Lee Daniels said that before President Obama was elected in office, he had "two faces" one for white America and one for black America. After President Obama was elected, he felt that he didn't need two different faces for two different environments and how now he has one face.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Lee Daniels and his quote about having "two faces" one for black America and one for white America. Even though I do believe in whatLee Daniels said, I have never had two faces, I have always been my self and never changed my personality for anyone. Even though I've always had the same attitude, many people have felt that I was a sellout. When I was in my first year of high school, many peope would tell me that I wasn't "black enough" and that I tried to talk too much like "white people". At first I was sad,but after many years of going through it from some of the students at my old school, I realized that my "two faces" attitude was who I was and that people are going to have to accept me for it.
Society has been programmed to associate lifestyles and circumstances by race. It is apparent by the author’s claims and point of view that he has become a slave to this sort of mentality. But times are changing. Color lines are blurring as today’s society progresses into a more harmonious state.
ReplyDeleteIt is not necessary to have two separate “faces”. I shouldn’t have to change who I am in order to please a different culture or ethnicity. I find that it’s better to stay true to who you are in diverse groups because it makes people unique and distinctive to other cultures. People who feel that they have to put on a façade in order to please others ultimately lose their unique personalities.
It’s peculiar to me that the author feels that he only lost his second face once Obama became president. What he fails to understand is that having an African American president doesn’t mean that everything changed for the race. African Americans have had the same opportunities as their Caucasian counterparts. It’s all about taking opportunities. Maybe we feel more comfortable to make risks now, but we do not have to put on a different face in order to seem favorable to another race.
Although times have evolved into periods of which people feel they are more socially accepted amongst different groups, there are cases in which some feel obligated to adopt “two faces” with intentions of being accepted in different places with different waves of people. Why, however, must someone change their original persona in order to be welcomed into groups deemed different by society in the first place? What Lee Daniels fails to understand is that the ability of humans to have qualities that stand out from one another is one of a myriad of things that make this race a magnificent one.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of putting up a facade to impress people you may be around at the time scares me in an extreme way, and I personally have never done so. The interesting thing about experiencing life, meeting new people, and learning new things about different types of people solely rests on idea that people act and portray themselves as they are in order to contribute to life’s diversity in unique ways. This design cannot be followed if there are people who have “two faces” of which they change when they are around certain types of people. When applying for colleges and universities around the country, they don’t ask how, when I get to their campus, I would contribute to the many races already represented at their school. Colleges are searching for those who dare to be different, and who wouldn’t be so ashamed of who they are, that they would have to adopt separate individual personalities.
The system of life was not originated to hoard groups of the same “individuals”, but it was designed to welcome all walks of life from all aspects. Although we, as Americans, are not quite ready to accept the many types of people there are, I feel that that is something we will have to work up to doing, in order to flourish as a society of people who shouldn’t have to incorporate many “faces”.
I agree with Mr. Daniels, I realized that I have to faces as well. At the middle school that attended it was diverse but mostly asians I have to admit that I was very uncomfortable because my cousin, sister, another student named Ashley and I were the only black people there. Afterwhile, I got accustom to the mix of races and didn't even remember that we were different races because we were the same at heart. When I attended View Park I was surrounded with all black it was annoying at first but now I feel uncomfortable around anyone different. I attitude changes when I'm around Whites I notice I tend to act proper and cautious about the things I say.
ReplyDeleteThere are many like Lee Daniels even neighborhoods, I believe mostly because we americans feel comfortable with our kind. Some of our neighborhoods seperates races for example, everyone know that south central is predominately blacks and east la is know for Latin Americans. However, I feel if we were to interact with different races it wouldn't be this way. People in the business world often deal with this, they work around different mixes of races and socialize with them reguardless of race. We are all the same at heart, if we were to compare a white to a black skeleton we could not tell the different so why should we set ourselves apart and isolate ourself because of our race?
-Asia Goodall