The year 2001 was marked by the Halle Berry’s outrageous and atypical performance as a seemingly promiscuous and troubled woman, and her even more shocking win at the Oscar awards.
Her truly riveting, and equally controversial, role in “Monster’s Ball” earned her a place in history as the first African-American woman to ever receive an Oscar in the Best Actress category.
Interestingly enough, the film that resulted in her win was produced by Lee Daniels, a virtual “nobody” in the world of film producing and directing. His directorial debut years later, in a low-budget a film called “Shadowboxer”, earned measly recognition and financial profit in 2005.
But this year, Daniels returned with yet another box-office smash hit, continuing his career in film as the director of “Precious,” the controversial and heart-wrenching tale of an HIV positive teen mother, who was raped and molested by the mother and father and her painful road to redemption.
Based off of the true novel “Push”, by author Sapphire, “Precious” has been endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, hailed by critics and audiences alike, and there are even rumors of a potential Oscar nod for not only Gabourey Sidibe, the lead actress who played the role of Precious, but also her abusive mother, played by none other than comedian Mo’Nique.
After producing the film that catapulted Halle Berry to Oscar-winning status, Daniels has directed the film that has not only called attention to some of the most unfortunate and uncomfortable issues of American society, but he has s also introduced the world to a an unique and different main character.
Gabourey Sidibe is like no other actress the world of Oscar-worthy acting and filmmaking has ever seen before; coupled with her genuine and moving performance in “Precious”, she has gained the potential of an Oscar nomination.
No matter how controversial his films might be, Lee Daniels has found a way to push the envelope and potentially push his leading actresses into the limelight of the Academy Awards.
We don’t know exactly how he’s doing it, but Daniels must be doing something right.
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