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The Brooklyn native Gabourey Sidibe, who was raised in Manhattan, has had quite an amazing year. First Sidibe added the title “author” to her resume after penning her memoir, and now, she can officially add the title “director” to her resume with her directorial debut, The Tale Of Four. Sidibe is best known for her Oscar nominated performance in the 2009 film, Precious.
The Tale of Four was inspired by Nina Simone’s 1966 song, Four Women. The song written by Nina Simone depicts the day and life of four different types of black women, characterized by the names Saffronia, Aunt Sarah, Sweet Thing, and Peaches. Over the course of one day, the film follows the lives of a teenaged Saffronia, Sarah, Sweet Thing, and Peaches, exposing the cyclical nature of life and the lasting legacy of slavery and being a black woman.
The short film, like the song, is a story of four black women struggling through the pain and the harsh reality of life while they search for love, redemption, and identity. The film premiered in June at the Nantucket Film Festival.
Refinery29 is thrilled to be showing this Shatterbox Anthology film. Just 7% of 2016’s top films were directed by women. Refinery29 wants to change this by giving 12 female directors a chance to claim their power. Watch new films every month on Refinery29.com/Shatterbox.
Four Women written by Nina Simone:
