Mississippi Damned
| Mississippi Damned | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tina Mabry |
| Produced by |
Lee V. Stiff Morgan R. Stiff |
| Screenplay by | Tina Mabry |
| Starring |
Adam Clark Malcolm Goodwin Michael Hyatt |
| Music by | Ryan Adison Amen |
| Cinematography | Bradford Young |
| Edited by | Morgan R. Stiff |
Production company |
Morgan's Mark |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mississippi Damned is a 2009 American drama film directed by Tina Mabry. The drama features Adam Clark, Malcolm Goodwin and Michael Hyatt. The film was written and directed by Tina Mabry, based on her life growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi.[1][2]
Plot
A trio of impoverished children living in rural Mississippi find that they must make a heart-wrenching decision between traveling down the paths taken by their doomed families and confronting the harsh realities that arise over time.
Cast
- Tonea Stewart as Alice
- Adam Clark as Junior
- Malcolm Goodwin as Sammy Stone
- Michael Hyatt as Delores
- Malcolm David Kelley as Young Sammy
- Jossie Thacker as Charlie
- Tessa Thompson as Kari Peterson
- Simbi Khali as Anna
- D.B. Woodside as Tyrone
- Chasity Kershal Hammitte as Leigh
- Kylee Russell as Young Kari
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Milena
- Michael Beasley as James
- Donna Biscoe as Gloria
- Southey Blanton as Irv
- Benjamin Brown as Ray
Reception
Critical response
When the film was screened at the NewFest film festival in New York City, Variety film critic Ronnie Scheib, praised the film, writing, "For the black men, women and children in Mississippi Damned, Tina Mabry's autobiographical saga of intertwined destinies, that southern state epitomizes a domestic hell of borderline poverty and endemic abuse. Complex family trees sometimes make for tough narrative sledding, but the thicket of obligations, traumas and betrayals that entrap the 'damned' here are well worth any momentary confusion. Mabry brilliantly captures a community as organic as it is dead-end, and the tortured legacy behind simplistic notions of ever escaping it. The NewFest audience award-winner demands strong critical support to overcome its downbeat subject matter and lack of a star draw."[3]
The Philadelphia Inquirer film critic, Steven Rea, lauded the actors, writing, "Kelley (Walt Lloyd in Lost), Jasmin Burke and Jossie Thacker are among the busy ensemble whose exceptionally fine performances elevate what could have been a pile-it-on melodrama into something deeper and more unsettling."[4]
Accolades
Wins
- American Black Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, Best Actor, Tessa Thompson; Best Narrative Feature; 2009.
- Atlanta Film Festival: Special Jury Award, Narrative Breakthrough; 2009.
- Black Reel Awards: Black Reel, Outstanding Independent Feature, Tina Mabry; 2009.
- Chicago International Film Festival: Gold Hugo, Best Film; Gold Plaque, Best Screenplay, Tina Mabry; Best Supporting Actress, Jossie Thacker; 2009.
- New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival: Audience Award, Narrative Feature; 2009.
- Outfest: Grand Jury Award, Outstanding US Dramatic Feature; 2009.
- Philadelphia Film Festival: Jury Award, Best American Independent Film; 2009.
References
- ↑ Mississippi Damned at the Internet Movie Database.
- ↑ Stanton, John. StarNews On-Line, "There are some 'Damned' fine filmmakers at Cucalorus," November 13, 2009. Last accessed: February 23, 2011.
- ↑ Variety film review, June 23, 2009. Last accessed: February 23, 2011.
- ↑ Rea, Steven. The Philadelphia Inquirer, film review, April 01, 2009. Accessed: August 1, 2013.
External links
- Mississippi Damned at the Internet Movie Database
- Mississippi Damned film trailer on YouTube
- Tina Mabry interview at StarNews On-Line