| Alma's Rainbow | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ayoka Chenzira |
| Written by | Ayoka Chenzira |
| Produced by | Ayoka Chenzira Howard Brickner Charles Lane |
| Starring | Kim Weston-Moran Victoria Gabrielle Platt Mizan Kirby |
| Cinematography | Ronald K. Gray |
| Edited by | Lillian Benson |
| Music by | Jean-Paul Bourelly |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Alma's Rainbow is American coming-of-age film directed by Ayoka Chenzira originally released in 1994. A restoration of the film, presented by Julie Dash, was released to theaters and streaming in 2022. The film received positive reviews from critics and was included in Slate's 2023 list of the 75 greatest movies by Black directors.
Plot
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A Brooklyn teenager experiences the pangs and joys of coming of age with her slightly aloof mother and visiting show business aunt.
Cast
- Kim Weston-Moran as Alma Gold
- Victoria Gabrielle Platt as Rainbow Gold
- Mizan Kirby as Ruby Gold (as Mizan Nunes)
- Lee Dobson as Blue
- Isaiah Washington as Miles
- Jennifer Copeland as Babs
- Keyonn Sheppard as Pepper
- Roger Pickering as Sea Breeze
- Sydney Best as William B. Underdo III
- Dakota Jackson-Brewer as Rainbow as a Baby
- Sandra Daley as Cynthia
- M. LaVora Perry as Nzingha (as Lavora Perry)
- Murtell Dortch as Beauty Parlour Customer
- Teri Dunbar as Beauty Parlour Customer
- Constance Carter as Beauty Parlour Customer
- Jeanne Nedd as Beauty Parlour Customer
- Ayoka Chenzira as Nun #1
- Lydia Trueheart as Nun #2
Release and restoration
The 35 mm feature film was self-funded by Chenzira and originally debuted in 1994, but did not receive widespread distribution. In 2022, the film was restored in 4K resolution by the Academy Film Archive, Film Foundation, and Milestone Films and had a theatrical run.
Critical reception
On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 79% with an average rating of 6 out of 10, based on 14 reviews.
References
- "Alma's Rainbow Film Review: Three Decades Later, Ayoka Chenzira's Debut Retains Its Power". 2022-07-28. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- Lattanzio, Ryan (2022-07-13). "'Alma's Rainbow' Trailer: Rediscover an Unsung '90s Gem About Black Womanhood in Brooklyn". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ "Alma's Rainbow". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Harris, Aisha; Kois, Dan (2023-02-27). "The New Black Film Canon". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- Tinubu, Aramide A. (2023-02-20). "18 Wonderful Films About Black Girlhood and the Coming-of-Age Experience". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- Gates, Marya E. "Feel the Love: Ayoka Chenzira on Alma's Rainbow | Interviews | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
External links
- Alma's Rainbow at IMDb
- Alma's Rainbow at the TCM Movie Database
- Alma's Rainbow at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films