Dee Rees on "Pariah"

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to see an early screening and Q&A with the filmmakers and cast of Pariah, a new film by NYU (woot! woot!) alumni, Dee Rees. It won the 2011 U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance film festival as well as an award for Excellence in Cinematography.

It is not hyperbole when I say that this is hands down the best indie film I’ve seen in a long time.  Much more than it appears on the surface, Pariah is not so much a coming out story, or a Black story or a women’s story as it is an entertaining coming of age story about discovering one’s self with universal appeal.

If you don’t get to the theater to see many indies, this one is worth the trip.  It’s a beautifully shot (on film – D.P. Bradford Young), well-told and surprisingly humorous and tender film.

Check out director Dee Rees’ interview from the NY Times.  A new indie talent is born…