28 Days of Black Cinema: Day 18

Eve’s Bayou (1997)

Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson, Lynne Whitfield, Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan

Directed by Kasi Lemmons

Written by Kasi Lemmons

“Life is filled with goodbyes, Eve, a million goodbyes, and it hurts every time. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve lost so much, I have to find new things to lose.” – Mozelle

This movie is like a beautifully tragic poem. It gives the impression of being a horror film, with all of the Southern Gothic themes, but I wouldn’t call it horror, in the traditional sense. It’s more about the horrors in family secrets, perception of our memories and childhood.The story is told over a summer where the children’s mom is starting to realize it’s becoming more and more difficult to protect her babies. It’s a coming of age tail, where little Eve learns what it means to stay in a child’s place.