Daughters of the Dust

Theatrical Release Date: 1992 01 03 (USA)

UPC: 738329013325

Studio: Kino

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:null

Summary: 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 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

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Cinematography - Dramatic – Sundance Film Festival Film Presented – Sundance Film Festival

Features: Letterbox (1.85:) digital transfer
Audio commentary by writer/director Julie Dash
"Touching Our Own Spirit: The Making of Daughters of the Dust," a new documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
Never-before-seen footage from the preliminary version of the film
Isolated musical score by John Barnes
Excerpt of Spencer Williams' "The Blood of Jesus" (1941)
An interview with historian Robert Farris Thompson
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer

Daughters of the Dust

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 06/27/2000

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: 2 PCM stereo

Runtime: 113 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
0. Chapter Selection
1. Opening Credits [6:45]
2. Voice of the Unborn Child [8:57]
3. "Call on Those Old Africans" [8:19]
4. The Unborn Child's Arrival [9:41]
5. "No Surprises Here, Young Mary" [7:54]
6. "You Rea' Backwater Geechee Girl" [11:40]
7. Haagar Speaks Her Mind [10:06]
8. The Indigo Plantation [10:38]
9. The Legend of Ibo Landing [13:07]
10. "There Must Be a Bond" [12:24]
11. Root Revival of Love [4:49]
12. Departure [7:10]
0. "Touching Our Own Spirit: Chapter Listings"
1. Opening Titles [3:10]
2. Inspiration [4:27]
3. Scouting Locations [3:10]
4. Ibo Landing [:55]
5. The Cast [4:28]
6. Preproduction [5:46]
7. Art Direction [7:25]
8. Shooting Begins [13:41]

Andrea LeVasseur

Even with a meager budget, director Julie Dash manages to visually capture a unique time and place in the historical epic Daughters of the Dust. Rich images of long white lacy dresses, a grandmother's indigo-dyed hands, and a soul food buffet on a seashore create a vivid context for entering into the Peazant family's memories. The narrative itself is a collection of memories, as remembered by the Unborn Child, offering a connection to both the past and future. Not following a traditional plot line, it instead evokes feelings of the excitement and confusion of an isolated community coming into contact with the outside world. The presence of the photographer suggests that the memories are being created and recalled simultaneously. The story is difficult to follow anyway, and it doesn't help that the characters speak in the Gullah dialect, which makes use of subtitles. Dash did extensive research about this extraordinary community, including her own family history. The historical information isn't presented clearly, so it is sure to cause confusion for the casual viewer. However, with the help of cinematographer Arthur Jafa, the compelling images compensate for lack of narrative cohesion. For a lyrical and atmospheric tribute filled with playful storytelling, Daughters of the Dust offers a rewarding cinematic experience. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Joe Taylor  Actor 
Trula Hoosier  Actor 
Trula M. Marcus  Actor 
Raymond Paige  Actor 
Stanley White  Actor 
Sherry Jackson  Actor 
John Barnes  Composer (Music Score) 
Julie Dash  Director 
Julie Dash  Producer 
Julie Dash  Screenwriter 
Arthur Jafa  Producer 
Lidsay Law  Executive Producer 
Alva Rogers  Actor 
Barbara O  Actor 
Cora Lee Day  Actor 
Adisa Anderson  Actor 
Kaycee Moore  Actor 
Eartha Robinson  Actor 
Bahni Turpin  Actor 
Cheryl Lynn Bruce  Actor 

Country: USA