Writer-director Dee Rees’ powerful debut “Pariah” follows a Brooklyn teen trying to come to terms with her sexuality while dealing with her oppressive family as it teeters on the brink of collapse. Partially inspired by Rees’ own personal experience coming out as a young black woman, the film is a contemporary coming-of-age story that weaves together themes of identity, love and acceptance
Alike (Adepero Oduye), or Lee as she prefers to be called, feels trapped having to juggle her various identities. A loner at school, Alike chooses scribbling poetry in her notebook between classes over gossiping with her peers, who openly refer to her as an “AG” based on her baggy jeans and hats that hide her hair. But Alike’s tomboyish demeanor (which also includes a complete disinterest in boys, school dances and “normal” teenage-girl issues) greatly distresses her mother Audrey (Kim Wayans), who goes to great lengths to make her elder daughter more like Candace (Samike Cotton), Alike’s girly younger sister.
Audrey is mistrustful of Alike’s best friend Laura (Pernell Walker), an out lesbian, and in an effort to separate the two, introduces Alike to Bina (Aasha Davis), the daughter of a coworker. Bina represents everything that Audrey wants Alike to be, but little does she know that the girls’ blossoming friendship isn’t strictly platonic. As Audrey tries to exert more control over her daughter, husband Arthur (Charles Parnell) pushes back in Alike’s defense, even though his long hours away from home mean that he doesn’t know his daughter half as well as he thinks he does. As Alike’s double life converges and becomes more open, it threatens to drive a wedge through her parents’ already tenuous relationship.
Featuring an eclectic soundtrack of indie, local and all-female artists, music plays a crucial role as one of Alike’s escapes as well as something that helps establish her relationship with Bina. Combined with the intimate cinematography, “Pariah” brings Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood to life in a vibrant and authentic way.
Despite its outward appearance as a niche story, the ability of “Pariah” to resonate across broad audiences is a true testament to Rees’ storytelling ability. I was fortunate enough to attend the gala screening (also attended by Rees, Walker, Wayans and Oduye) and ended up sitting next to a young, black, lesbian couple. It’s hard to say who was more into it – them or me, the straight Asian girl from the West Coast. But by the time the film ended and the floor had opened up for Q&A, the camaraderie in the audience was almost tangible.
The film’s biggest pleasure comes from the setup and getting to know its rich characters, especially the complex web of deceit that is Alike’s day-to-day life. Moments like when Alike changes out of her baggy jeans and white t-shirt before going home become as puissant as when she reads her poetry, the purest outlet for her self-expression, out loud in class. The story feels slightly rushed as it heads toward its conclusion but nonetheless is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.