Daughters of the Dust

“Let's thank Julie Dash for her persistence in bringing us this jewel. This is a story we will tell our children again and again—and with each retelling, the colors will swell in our souls.” Patricia Smith, Boston Globe.

A film of spellbinding visual beauty and brilliant resonant performances, Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust has become a landmark of independent film. Warmly received and lavishly praised for its beauty and dreamlike narrative, it spins a misty magical tale of the Gullah women on the Sea Islands off the Southeastern United States.

It was the first feature film by a Black woman to have a wide release. When it premiered in New York in 1991, it ran for four months straight and sold out weekends, but for decades, Daughters of the Dust languished as if worthless. While Dash and cinematographer Arthur Jafa continued working, the film’s success did not result in further feature film deals. Recently rediscovered, it has inspired two major works of protest art from Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. The screenplay was displayed as part of the Brooklyn Museum’s exhibition on Black radical women artists, We Wanted a Revolution. 
114 minutes
 

WOMEN DIRECTING WOMEN

In conjunction with the Modern’s exhibition Women Painting Women, this series presents landmark films from acclaimed women directors, all featuring a unique creative vision and tour de force performances from actresses in the leading roles. Tickets are $5; free for Reel People. Click here for information about the special benefits of joining Reel People, a membership add-on for film enthusiasts.

Schedule

July 2, 2 pm - Frida

July 16, 2 pm - Daughters of the Dust

July 23, 2 pm - Marie Antoinette

July 30, 11 am - The Tango Lesson

July 30, 2 pm - Orlando