Kasi Lemmons’ spellbinding debut feature Eve’s Bayou (USA, 1997, 1hr 49mins, English, Certificate 15) is an evocative journey into the maze of memory, steeped in the fragrant atmosphere of the Southern Gothic tradition. Set in 1960s Louisiana, the story unfolds through the eyes of young Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett), who watches as her family begins to unravel in the wake of her father’s (Samuel L. Jackson) infidelities. What Eve sees, and what she believes she sees, becomes entangled with superstition, prophecy and memory, creating a narrative that blurs the boundaries between truth and imagination.
Widely regarded as a landmark of American independent cinema, Eve’s Bayou is unapologetically rooted in Creole culture, folklore and mysticism. It features remarkable performances from Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan and Diahann Carroll, and places Black women’s voices and experiences at the centre of its story. Through its lyrical style, haunting imagery and richly layered themes, the film becomes both a coming-of-age tale and a meditation on history, spirituality and the resilience of Black families in the face of betrayal and hardship.
At the time of its release in 1997, the film was hailed as one of the finest of the year and has since been preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance. Roger Ebert described it as “one of the very best films of the year,” praising its ability to resonate with the rhythms of memory and myth. Its influence continues to be felt in the work of Black women filmmakers who draw upon spirituality, mysticism and ancestral memory to tell new stories of survival, empowerment and resistance.
This screening is part of Black Resistance and Power of the Supernatural, a film programme exploring how Black filmmakers use the supernatural as a source of empowerment, healing and cultural expression.
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