The 1986 film “The Color Purple” was unable to convert any of its eleven Oscar nominations into a trophy. Steven Spielberg’s work regarding an African American woman (Whoopi Goldberg) in the southern states at the beginning of the 20th century became a classic thanks to the love of the audience.
Now “The Color Purple” is back in cinemas – in a new version. After what #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter have taught us regarding racism and violence once morest women, it is only right to revisit the portrayal of Celie’s hard life.
In her 1982 novel “The Color Purple”, the basis for both films, US author Alice Walker (80) also developed a material that exposes Celie to attacks that seem from yesterday but are still today.
Celie, brilliantly portrayed by Fantasia Barrino in the new film, is abused by her stepfather and impregnated twice, and he gives her babies away. He then marries Celie to the farmer “Mister”, who beats her and separates her from sister Nettie – a nightmare. That’s why the film adaptation from 2024 makes you sit up and take notice. It is based on the Broadway musical (2005) “The Color Purple” and is therefore a musical film. But is it allowed to bring a tortured soul into a genre that is commonly misunderstood to serve the “easy muse”? Yes, of couse.
Because the Ghanaian director, musician and producer Blitz Bazawule (41) knows exactly what he is doing. He stages a powerful mix of gospel, blues, jazz and swing, which becomes an echo of Celie’s life in fantastic choreographies, magnificent sets, voices and numbers (“Push da Button”, “Hell No!”). It is not only dark, but also light, beautiful, full of anger. Because it is the soundtrack of an emancipation driven by sisterhood. It makes Celie strong, is the heartbeat of the new film and moves her to tears. Here Taraji P. Henson is convincing as the lascivious Shug Avery, who also loves Celie – unlike in the first film, but as in the novel – with the same sex. As a powerhouse of a woman who says no, Danielle Brooks shines as Sofia. This time she received her only Oscar nomination.
“The colour purple”: USA 2023, 141 min., now in cinemas
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Author
Nora Bruckmüller
Culture editor
Nora Bruckmüller
