Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Sundance Winner by Lee Daniels Finds Distribution with Lionsgate
Feb 3, 2009
Lionsgate announced on February 2, 2009 that the studio has acquired North American distribution rights to Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. The film stars Mo’Nique, Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Nealla Gordon, Stephanie Andujar, and Grammy-winning artists Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.
The film, formerly titled Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire is an urban drama directed by Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer) and produced by Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, and Gary Magness under their Smokewood Entertainment Group (S.E.G.) banner. Daniels may be best known as producer of Lionsgate’s Monster’s Ball, which earned Halle Berry an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
The Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry Partnership
Oprah Winfrey (Harpo Films) and Tyler Perry (34th Street Films) agreed to support Lionsgate’s distribution of Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire through their respective motion picture companies. This will be the first film affiliated with Perry’s 34th Street banner.
Winfrey said in a prepared statement: “I’ve never seen anything like it. The moment I saw [the film], 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.”
Perry likewise endorsed the film saying he was “honored to join Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate in releasing Lee Daniels’ exceptional film.”
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire at Sundance
At the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire won the grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, one of only three films in the history of Sundance to ever accomplish this feat. The film’s star Mo’Nique also received a Special Jury Prize for acting at the festival.
Considered by many to be the most prestigious film festival in America, the Sundance Film Festival began in Park City, Utah, in 1985 under the administration of the Sundance Institute. Renowned actor, director, producer, and businessman Robert Redford founded the festival.
About the Movie Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The film was written by Damien Paul and based on Sapphire’s 1996 book. The story concerns Precious Jones (Sidibe), a high school girl who is pregnant for the second time with her own father’s child. Illiterate and overweight, she is tormented by her classmates as well as by her abusive family. Her mother (Mo’Nique) uses emotional and physical means to keep her daughter imprisoned in her current environment. The filmexplores how Precious finds a way to overcome her seemingly no-win situation.
- Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
- Starring Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey
- Director: Lee Daniels
- Screenwriter: Damien Paul
To learn more about Sundance and other film festivals, read Film Festival Screenings.
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