Precious, based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, is the gripping movie about a teenage girl who is mentally, physically and sexually abused by her family and neighborhood hoodlums is going head to head with the billion dollar box office hit Avatar for the precious best picture award. Both Mo’Nique and Gabourey Sidibe are up for best supporting performer and best performer, respectively. Yet the most exciting nomination is for Lee Daniels, director of Precious. He is only the second Black filmmaker nominated for best director since director John Singleton’s for the 1991 urban hit Boyz N the Hood.
Daniels anxiously accepted his nomination and said, “After 82 years, it’s the first film nominated for best picture directed by an African-American. Isn’t it great? It’s so exciting.” Before he received the nomination he thought he was beat out by famed and eccentric director Quentin Tarantino for “Inglorious Basterds.” “They cut to Quentin Tarantino, and I was like, ‘Ah, well, that’s that.’ And then they go, ‘And Lee Daniels.’ I go, ‘Whoa, wait a minute!’ ”
Gabourey Sidibe made her screen debut in “Precious,” earning an Oscar nomination for her first professional acting job. Comedian and BET talk show host Mo’Nique is known for low rated comedy movies and was able to channel past hurts to become the villain in this movie, which earned her the nomination. Mo’Nique previously won a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for Precious.
The 82nd Oscars will be presented March 7 in a ceremony airing on ABC from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre.
