'Mississippi Damned': Rare gem at the New Fest

June 9, 3:17 PMNY Film ExaminerMarcos Bernal-Salas

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Director Tina Marby brings ‘Mississippi Damned’ to the 2009 New Fest audience – the LGBT Film Fest in NYC going on right now. The film is Marby’s introspective journey into a life without possibilities – exploring different themes of family, poverty and homophobia.

The film is such a rare gem where the story takes place from 1986 to 1998 following three kids living in the poor neighborhoods of Mississippi – through their hardships and violent upbringing who in the most part are trying to escape an unforeseen future. Leigh Peterson – beautifully portrayed by Chasity Hammite – finds herself at odds within a homophobic community and her first true love; Paula. They both soon find themselves being pulled back into a life that neither one of them expected.

‘Mississippi Damned’ is profoundly touching and straightforward – an extraordinary film revealing many universal themes that will certainly impress the NYC audience at the New Fest. The film is already a winner receiving the 2009 Atlanta Film Festival Special Jury Award Narrative Breakthrough and the 2009 Philadelphia Film Festival Jury Award for Best American Independent Film.

The film screens tonight at the New Fest

For more info: Tickets and Showtime at the 2009 New Fest