A beautiful adaptation of life on a plantation In the lives of the inhabitants during and after slavery. For the slave, freedom means nothing even after being elevated to a "freed slave" they remained slaves.
I was drawn to the main character, July. She is clever in being able to manipulate her mistress because she recognizes weakness in her mistress. The white mistress dresses are so ridiculously ugly even July, as a mere slave can recognize her bad dress sense. I enjoyed the humor of that fact. July's cleverness does not give her the upper hand but it does give her hand. July knows her place in society will never be truly elevated. She sees how the world works, but when opportunity presents itself she grabs for it but does not step on others ruthlessly as some might. Still this is not a happy tale. The subject is slavery and the cruelty that comes with it. White people told themselves many lies regarding their cruel inhumane behavior to soothe their conscious. They are still doing that to this day. The owner of the plantation changes rules and causes extreme hardship for the "slaves own good." People can tell themselves many lies and believe them to stay on top.
Wonderful cast, beautifully filmed and a solid script. Tamara Lawrence, as July, is exceptional.
I was drawn to the main character, July. She is clever in being able to manipulate her mistress because she recognizes weakness in her mistress. The white mistress dresses are so ridiculously ugly even July, as a mere slave can recognize her bad dress sense. I enjoyed the humor of that fact. July's cleverness does not give her the upper hand but it does give her hand. July knows her place in society will never be truly elevated. She sees how the world works, but when opportunity presents itself she grabs for it but does not step on others ruthlessly as some might. Still this is not a happy tale. The subject is slavery and the cruelty that comes with it. White people told themselves many lies regarding their cruel inhumane behavior to soothe their conscious. They are still doing that to this day. The owner of the plantation changes rules and causes extreme hardship for the "slaves own good." People can tell themselves many lies and believe them to stay on top.
Wonderful cast, beautifully filmed and a solid script. Tamara Lawrence, as July, is exceptional.