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Alva Rogers, Barbara O, Adisa Anderson, Cora Lee Day, Kaycee Moore ... see more see more... , Eartha Robinson , Bahni Turpin , Cheryl Lynn Bruce , Trula Hoosier , Joe Taylor , Stanley White , Trula M. Marcus , Raymond Paige , Sherry Jackson , Barbarao , Umar Abdurrahamn , Cornell Royal , Malik Farrakhan , Tommy Redmond Hicks

At the turn of the century, West African slaves were brought to a small island near South Carolina to labor in the indigo trade. Isolated in the swampy atmosphere, the Gullah community was built based... read more read more... on ancient Yoruba traditions. They spoke in a distinct dialect, a combination of English and West African languages. This unique community is explored in Julie Dash's debut feature Daughters of the Dust, a costume drama about the Peazant family, a fictional group of Gullah natives living on Ido Landing. The secluded family experiences conflicts surrounding religion, industrialization, and tradition. The mystical matriarch Nana (Cora Lee Day) holds true to the beliefs of their anscestors, while Haagar (Kaycee Moore) can't wait to move away. Yellow Mary (Barbara O) returns from a life as a prostitute in Cuba with her girlfriend, and gets morally attacked by the reformed Christian Viola (Cheryl Lynn Bruce). Meanwhile, indifferent Eula (Alva Rogers) is pregnant with a baby that may or may not be the result of a rape. While the story doesn't attempt to follow a standard Eurocentric narrative, the plot revolves around a picnic on the shore in honor of the family members who chose to move to the prosperity of the north. The narrator is a spirit called the Unborn Child, who appears sometimes as a rambunctious little girl. A photographer accompanies the group to capture the events on film. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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76% liked it

777 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

9 critics

PG, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Jule Dash, Julie Dash

Release Date: December 27, 1991

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DVD Release Date: February 15, 2000

Stats: 68 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (68)

  • bbcfloridabound
    October 13, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    A Top Ten Independent Film In My Book. Outstanding movie, a eye opener to some unkown history in the United States. Acting was incredable, Kino always has good productions. If you can find it buy it, Or Rent from Net Flix.
  • zacchaeusofzion
    October 12, 2007
    zacchaeusofzion
    pasionate and visually stunning movie of gullah culture in the islands off georgia and south carolina. story rings true of trying to hold onto past traditions in a forward moving world. awesome!
  • pieceofmind74
    August 18, 2007
    pieceofmind74
    This was one of the first independent films that I saw at the theater, and I was blown away. The cinematography is beautiful. The setting was lush, and the actors were incredible. This is a film for those who appreciate quality films about family relationships, status of women an... read mored African-American history. You also get the opportunity to learn about the Gullah culture.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 9, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The resources of the beautiful locations are exploited to the utmost, and [director Julie] Dash can be credited with an original, daring, and sincere conception. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 7, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Centering on African-American women, Julie Dash's original feature was a highlight of indie cinema in the early 1990s. Full Review

Nick Davis
August 16, 2003
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

A brave and ravishing film that portrays a little-known society with deft, culturally specific images.

Prairie Miller
September 8, 2001
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio

With its portrayal of Black dignity, majesty and depth of character and identity, this is clearly a film of those fully in control of their own means of cultural production.

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 3, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Frank Swietek
March 26, 2004
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

July 30, 2003
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Click to read the article Full Review

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