(Clockwise from top: Actresses, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidbe, Sherri Shepherd, Paula Patton and Mo'Nique)
The drama behind Push: Based on The Novel by Sapphire is almost as intense as the story that scored the film a record three 2009 Sundance Awards (a feat matched only by 2006's Mexican-American drama, Quinceanera this decade). Film giants, Lionsgate and The Weinstein Company are currently engaged in a legal battle over the right to push Push; both arguing that they have distribution agreements for the film. The film, which has not aired so much as a single trailer, has industry heavyweights vying for a chance to be a part of it.
Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry recently announced plans to promote the film, with Winfery proclaiming, "I've never seen anything like it. The moment I saw 'Push,' I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage other people to see this movie. This film is so raw and powerful--it split me open."
The film, an adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel, is the story of Clareece "Precious" Jones, an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school.
Newcomer, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidbe stars with an all-star cast including Mo'Nique (in a Sundance-award winning performance), Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz.
The film was directed by producing dynamo, Lee Daniels (of Monsters'
Ball and Shadowboxer) and is promising to be one of the most highly anticipated films of the year.
