Part of Queer Qlassics
Wed, Aug 14 at 8:00pm: Introduction from Dr. Claudine Taaffe, senior lecturer and associate chair and director of undergraduate studies in African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University | BUY TICKETS
Nearly 40 years later, THE COLOR PURPLE, derived from the novel written by Alice Walker, remains one of the most quintessential films in African American history. Whoopi Goldberg stars in a breakthrough performance as the film’s narrative center, Celie — who is 14, pregnant and alone. As a dynamic cast of characters dance in and out of her world, Celie finds herself stricken by the alluring and evasive Shug (Margeret Avery.) Their perplexing friendship ignites a flame long extinguished in Celie’s heart, and equips her with the courage she yearns for to be her own salvation.
“It is a great, warm, hard, unforgiving, triumphant movie, and there is not a scene that does not shine with the love of the people who made it.” —Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times “[Anyone who believes] Spielberg incapable of anything but adventure sagas for the teenage consumer are cordially invited — along with people of any age who still believe in movies of substance and artistry — to rush without delay to THE COLOR PURPLE.” —Rex Reed, New York Post “THE COLOR PURPLE is a masterfully told, emotionally power-packed story about a woman who discovers that life is not a torture to be endured but rather a pleasure to be savored. It deserves to be at the top of everyone's ‘must see’ list.” —Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
