After winning three awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival, including the grand jury prize and the audience award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire,' has found a home for theater distribution: Lionsgate.
In an unprecedented partnership, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry will support Lionsgate's distribution of the movie through their respective motion picture companies: Harpo Films and 34th Street Films. It will be the first film affiliated with Perry's 34th Street banner.
Starring in the film are Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Kimberly Russell and Sherri Shepherd. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe is playing the starring role.
In a press release from Lionsgate, Winfrey explains why she felt compelled to help promote the film. "I've never seen anything like it," she said. "The moment I saw 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire,' I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage other people to see this movie. The film is so raw and powerful. It split me open."
Added Perry: "I am honored to join Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate in releasing Lee Daniels's exceptional film. I was immensely moved by 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire' and wanted to do whatever I could to help others share in its redemptive experience. Lionsgate is the ideal studio to shepherd this artistically courageous film to market."
Directed by Lee Daniels, the film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
Verbally and sexually abused by her family, her troubles lead to problems in school. Precious has no friends, no money, two kids (from her father), and she's illiterate. After being accepted into an alternative school, one of her teachers (Patton) helps her find new direction in life. Along her journey, she comes across a concerned social worker (Carey) and a nurse (Kravitz) who show her incredible kindness.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (20)
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By: Tina on 2/04/2009 10:15AM
Please read the book before seeing the movie. IT'S A GREAT READ!
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By: prettylady818 on 2/04/2009 3:47PM
This movie is going to be insane. I read the book years ago and it has haunted me ever since.
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By: Kendra on 2/05/2009 2:12AM
You know I like Oprah, but babygirl has issues. Why do I say; Oprah has everything in this world money can buy but she cant control her eating bottom line....and this is coming from some place within her....I dont believe there is a medical issue with her. I can tell by the way she continues to makes excuses for why she is fat...then after she gains her weight back every show is about fat folks...like she all of a sudden care again...misery loves company. Oprah dear I know you can buy and sell me under the table....but still here's a piece of advice free of charge... I know the truth when it comes to God and His son Jesus, and that's priceless.... It would behoove you Oprah to go back in your history and find this TRUTH for yourself and stop all that "other" non-sense...then and only then will you have that "light bulb" moment you speak of so often..
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By: lessie on 2/05/2009 9:00AM
Greetings All:
I've read the book years ago, and recently read again. Very good read, yet disturbing to know that a child, (as well as countless others) have gone through this type of abuse and neglect in this United States of America.
I would like to know where to view the movie release. If anyone has more information, please blog. Thanks.
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By: hilda on 4/12/2009 12:34AM
I have read the book, and I would also like to know where and when I can view this movie. Does anyone have any updated info? Thanx
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By: Lynn on 2/05/2009 9:50AM
The book is GREAT!!! I definitely recommend reading it before seeing the movie. It is a fast read..but you won't ever forget it, like the person above who said they are still haunted by it.
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By: kim on 2/05/2009 12:01PM
OMG!!!! I CAN'T WAIT to see this movie. The book was THE BOMB!!!! You should read the book first, then view the movie. I love starpower ( Tyler & Oprah) The fact that they are joining forces to make sure this movie gets "pushed" is AWESOME!!! The cast looks amazing too.........too excited :)
Sidebar: Another GOOD book is A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown----EXCELLENT!!!
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By: Daniel Asamota on 2/05/2009 3:35PM
I ain't tryin' to down this chik Sapphire and I'm glad she's finally found some success. That said, I wanna' ask; 'Aren't we tired of that kind of story from black people?' I know I am! I don't wanna' read about how f*cked up things are in the black community or how screwed up somebody's life is! Hell, I can see that by stepping out my door every morning! I don't find inspiration in such writings and I really don't think anybody else does either. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for that sort of literature but it's time to explore other themes in black literature and black movies! Good Times has been done over and over again. That's why I wrote my book, not just to further my own interests but to try an stimulate interest in another genre form of writing and hopefully another form of moviemaking too.
Daniel Asamota
author of 'Mound Bayou'
lookout for 'Cricket Man'
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By: Shirelle on 2/05/2009 6:31PM
www.SinlessSex.com
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By: Dee on 2/05/2009 6:56PM
Kendra, you need to cut it out...are you jealous of Oprah or something? Get a life!
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