Daughters of the Dust Reviews

Even with a meager budget, director Julie Dash manages to visually capture a unique time and place in the historical epic Daughters of the Dust. Rich images of long white lacy dresses, a grandmother's indigo-dyed hands, and a soul food buffet on a seashore create a vivid context for entering into the Peazant family's memories. The narrative itself is a collection of memories, as remembered by the Unborn Child, offering a connection to both the past and future. Not following a traditional plot line, it instead evokes feelings of the excitement and confusion of an isolated community coming into contact with the outside world. The presence of the photographer suggests that the memories are being created and recalled simultaneously. The story is difficult to follow anyway, and it doesn't help that the characters speak in the Gullah dialect, which makes use of subtitles. Dash did extensive research about this extraordinary community, including her own family history. The historical information isn't presented clearly, so it is sure to cause confusion for the casual viewer. However, with the help of cinematographer Arthur Jafa, the compelling images compensate for lack of narrative cohesion. For a lyrical and atmospheric tribute filled with playful storytelling, Daughters of the Dust offers a rewarding cinematic experience.