Author: Chris P
Location: IL
Migrate
A Focus Features Film
Directed and Written by Kasi Lemmons
Music by Terence Blanchard
Cinematography by Pawel Edelman
Editing by Terilyn A. Shropshire
Main Cast:
Kerry Washington as Delores Wilson
Anthony Mackie as Eugene
Jeffrey Wright as Henry
Viola Davis as Yvette
and Quvenzhané Wallis as Lillie
Tagline: "The sacrifices one makes indicate the struggles they must face."
Synopsis: August 1940. The Great Migration has led numerous African-Americans into Northeastern territories in order to sustain an income during the turbulent depression era. For 36-year old hardworking single mother, Delores Wilson (Washington), transitioning from the rural plains of Mississippi into the bustling climate of an impoverished New York City tenancy, is an overwhelming endeavor. Particularly for her strong willed daughter, Lillie (Wallis), whose temporary placement with an assertive sharecropping relative, Yvette (Davis), in the South, has caused tremendous friction since Delores unsuccessfully attempted to provide stability for them. Despite humiliation as a low wage cotton mill worker and receiving sexual favors from a married Jazz musician, Henry (Wright), to make ends meet, Delores struggles with the guilt of reconnecting with her child. However, it isn't long until she encounters local service worker, Eugene (Mackie), a former military vet, whose degrading but respectable earnings suggests financial assurance for both in a potential marriage of convenience. After his "honorable discharge" for suspicious deviant behavior, Eugene is emotionally traumatized by the burden of inner turmoil thus he desires to follow a normal existence. In desperation, Delores agrees to enter a union on the grounds she conceives an infant in return of economic security. Yet, when she suffers from an unfortunate miscarriage, her health begins to deteriorate due to internal bleeding leading to a lonesome depression. Eugene tries to initiate support but the stress of attaining money, paying debts, and a lack of intimacy, causes a dilemma for their marriage. Migrate is the heartbreaking story of two individual's devastating sacrifices to ensure a change in each other's lives.
Press Section: Critically acclaimed film director/screenwriter, Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou), new drama, Migrate, centers on the tribulations of a married African-American couple during the 1940's great depression. Lemmons' direction is every bit authentic to the period. She captures the character's struggles using profound honesty and emotional subtly. The screenplay's rich dialogue is also written beautifully providing context behind each scene in such a believable manner.
As the main protagonist, Delores Wilson, Kerry Washington stars as a hardworking single mother who thrusts herself into a marriage of convenience in order to sustain stability and financial security. Washington's subtle portrayal demonstrates a great deal of vulnerability and strength. The audience fully relates to her conflicts with genuine sympathy. Anthony Mackie plays Eugene, an emotionally insecure man desiring a normal existence. Mackie's nuanced depiction is effective in his ability to show the character's inner complexities with tremendous power. He gives a strong top notch performance. In a supporting role, Jeffrey Wright stars as Henry, a married Jazz musician whose frequent sexual favors serve basis to Delores' unstable income. Wright delivers a great performance with a sense of emotional ease and style. He feels conflicted by his decisions yet feels gratified by the intimacy. Academy Award®-nominee Viola Davis portrays Yvette, a sharecropping relative who undertakes the responsibility of raising a young child. Davis delivers a layered depiction of a no-nonsense woman with wisdom and patience. Finally, Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Lillie. A young girl whose high spirited emotions are caused with the disappointment brought upon by her mother. Wallis' performance is mature and unbelievably captivating. She steals every scene.
"Migrate" is one of the best films of the year. Emotional, heart wrenching, and not to be missed.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Kasi Lemmons
Best Actor - Anthony Mackie
Best Actress - Kerry Washington
Best Supporting Actor - Jeffrey Wright
Best Supporting Actress - Viola Davis
Best Supporting Actress - Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Original Screenplay
Location: IL
Migrate
A Focus Features Film
Directed and Written by Kasi Lemmons
Music by Terence Blanchard
Cinematography by Pawel Edelman
Editing by Terilyn A. Shropshire
Main Cast:
Kerry Washington as Delores Wilson
Anthony Mackie as Eugene
Jeffrey Wright as Henry
Viola Davis as Yvette
and Quvenzhané Wallis as Lillie
Tagline: "The sacrifices one makes indicate the struggles they must face."
Synopsis: August 1940. The Great Migration has led numerous African-Americans into Northeastern territories in order to sustain an income during the turbulent depression era. For 36-year old hardworking single mother, Delores Wilson (Washington), transitioning from the rural plains of Mississippi into the bustling climate of an impoverished New York City tenancy, is an overwhelming endeavor. Particularly for her strong willed daughter, Lillie (Wallis), whose temporary placement with an assertive sharecropping relative, Yvette (Davis), in the South, has caused tremendous friction since Delores unsuccessfully attempted to provide stability for them. Despite humiliation as a low wage cotton mill worker and receiving sexual favors from a married Jazz musician, Henry (Wright), to make ends meet, Delores struggles with the guilt of reconnecting with her child. However, it isn't long until she encounters local service worker, Eugene (Mackie), a former military vet, whose degrading but respectable earnings suggests financial assurance for both in a potential marriage of convenience. After his "honorable discharge" for suspicious deviant behavior, Eugene is emotionally traumatized by the burden of inner turmoil thus he desires to follow a normal existence. In desperation, Delores agrees to enter a union on the grounds she conceives an infant in return of economic security. Yet, when she suffers from an unfortunate miscarriage, her health begins to deteriorate due to internal bleeding leading to a lonesome depression. Eugene tries to initiate support but the stress of attaining money, paying debts, and a lack of intimacy, causes a dilemma for their marriage. Migrate is the heartbreaking story of two individual's devastating sacrifices to ensure a change in each other's lives.
Press Section: Critically acclaimed film director/screenwriter, Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou), new drama, Migrate, centers on the tribulations of a married African-American couple during the 1940's great depression. Lemmons' direction is every bit authentic to the period. She captures the character's struggles using profound honesty and emotional subtly. The screenplay's rich dialogue is also written beautifully providing context behind each scene in such a believable manner.
As the main protagonist, Delores Wilson, Kerry Washington stars as a hardworking single mother who thrusts herself into a marriage of convenience in order to sustain stability and financial security. Washington's subtle portrayal demonstrates a great deal of vulnerability and strength. The audience fully relates to her conflicts with genuine sympathy. Anthony Mackie plays Eugene, an emotionally insecure man desiring a normal existence. Mackie's nuanced depiction is effective in his ability to show the character's inner complexities with tremendous power. He gives a strong top notch performance. In a supporting role, Jeffrey Wright stars as Henry, a married Jazz musician whose frequent sexual favors serve basis to Delores' unstable income. Wright delivers a great performance with a sense of emotional ease and style. He feels conflicted by his decisions yet feels gratified by the intimacy. Academy Award®-nominee Viola Davis portrays Yvette, a sharecropping relative who undertakes the responsibility of raising a young child. Davis delivers a layered depiction of a no-nonsense woman with wisdom and patience. Finally, Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Lillie. A young girl whose high spirited emotions are caused with the disappointment brought upon by her mother. Wallis' performance is mature and unbelievably captivating. She steals every scene.
"Migrate" is one of the best films of the year. Emotional, heart wrenching, and not to be missed.
Awards Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director - Kasi Lemmons
Best Actor - Anthony Mackie
Best Actress - Kerry Washington
Best Supporting Actor - Jeffrey Wright
Best Supporting Actress - Viola Davis
Best Supporting Actress - Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Original Screenplay