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At
the dawn of the 20th century, a multi-generational family in the Gullah
community on the Sea Islands off of South Carolina – former West
African slaves who adopted many of their ancestors’ Yoruba traditions –
struggle to maintain their cultural heritage and folklore while
contemplating a migration to the mainland, even further from their
roots.
The first wide release by a black female filmmaker, DAUGHTERS OF THE
DUST was met with wild critical acclaim and rapturous audience response
when it initially opened in 1991. Casting a long legacy, DAUGHTERS OF
THE DUST still resonates today, most recently as a major in influence on
Beyonce’s video album Lemonade.
Winner of the Cinematography Award and nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Chosen for preservation by the National Film Preservation Board, USA.
“Its examination of a bygone way of life is so patient and
evocative, so beholden to its own storytelling conventions and rhythms,
that watching it is a bit like submitting to a form of time travel.” –
Justin Chang, The Los Angeles Times