Precious - Das Leben ist kostbar (Precious: Based on the Novel push by Sapphire)
U.S.A. 2009

Opening 25 Mar 2010

Directed by: Lee Daniels
Writing credits: Geoffrey Fletcher, Sapphire
Principal actors: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique , Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd

Finally! Precious has finally arrived in Germany. This film stormed across America last year, winning 43 awards, and was nominated for 48 others. The Golden Globes, the Sundance Film festival, The Stockholm Film Festival and Toronto Film festival were all raving about this film last year. So what is so special about Precious? The film, based on the novel Push written by Sapphire, dives into the life of an overweight sixteen year old African-American pregnant girl whose name is Clarisse “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe). While having dreams of being a dancer or a singer, she is rudely awaken with the reality of being kicked out of school in Harlem due to her pregnancy, but despite her situation, her principal attempts to redirect Precious’ life by telling her about an alternative program called Each One, Teach One. At this point we see her dream world protects her from the hardcore reality of living with her abusive mother (Mo’Nique) and an absent father who has sexually abused, her leaving her with one child, and now the second one is about to arrive.

Both Gabourey Sidibe's and Mo’Nique's award-winning performances were unbelievable realistic and intense. The cast also includes Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz among others. This tough film sends a message of hope for those facing complicated problems and gives others a glimpse into the inner city world. Precious is a film that should not be missed. (Shelly Schoeneshoefer)