Featuring an introduction from special guest Chaz Ebert! 

"A film of spellbinding visual beauty.” - Stephen Holden, New York Times

"A modern classic and one of the greatest American Independent films ever made." - Richard Brody, New Yorker

“Let's thank Julie Dash for her persistence in bringing us this jewel. This is a story we will tell our children again and again -- and with each retelling, the colors will swell in our souls.” - Patricia Smith, Boston Globe.

At the dawn of the 20th century, a multi-generational family in the Gullah community on the Sea Islands off of South Carolina struggles to maintain their cultural heritage and folklore while contemplating a migration to the mainland, even further from their roots. The first wide release by a Black female filmmaker, DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST was met with wild critical acclaim and rapturous audience response when it initially opened in 1991. Casting a long legacy, the film still resonates today. Restored (in conjunction with UCLA) for the first time with proper color grading overseen by cinematographer AJ Jafa, audiences can finally see the film exactly as Julie Dash intended. (Kino Lorber)

Festivals, Awards & Nominations
Winner - Cinematography Award, Sundance Film Festival (1991)
Nominee - Grand Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival (1991)
Nominee - Outstanding Motion Picture, Image Awards (1993)

CHAZ EBERT on DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST

 

“Before there was Beyonce, or Lemonade, there was Ms. Dash, Ms Julie Dash and her elegant film about Gullahs living in coastal South Carolina. She led the way for other female directors. And to this day I find her film one that feeds all the senses, a true classic.

Roger Ebert called it a “a tone poem of old memories, a family album in which all of the pictures are taken on the same day.” He went on to say that “at certain moments we are not sure exactly what is being said or signified, but by the end we understand everything that happened -- not in an intellectual way, but in an emotional way.”

CHAZ HEADSHOT

​​Chaz Ebert is the CEO of Ebert Digital LLC, which publishes the acclaimed movie review site, Rogerebert.com. She is also a producer of television and movies, and co-founded the Ebertfest Film Festival at the University of Illinois, now in its 22nd year.  Her civic passions include programs to help break the glass ceiling for women and people of color, and to provide education and arts for women, children and families, with a global interest in encouraging empathy, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Her philanthropic endeavors personally and through the Ebert Foundation include providing grants to support films with strong social justice themes, and encouraging emerging writers, filmmakers, and technologists with an endowment of scholarships, internships, and awards at a variety of notable film festivals and universities. 

For the safety and comfort of our audience members and employees, we will have the following safety protocols in place for at least the first two weeks after we reopen:

  • Masks required by all staff and patrons at all times

  • Staggered showtimes and ample time between shows to mitigate crowds

  • Ticket pre-orders for films encouraged to reduce lines 

  • Hand sanitizer and disposable face masks available for patrons

  • Only 50% of our tickets will be available for sale so that we can ensure a safe movie-going experience

  • In light of the latest health updates from the city of Chicago, and in accordance with the School of the Art Institute, we will not be selling concessions nor allowing outside food or drink for at least the first two weeks of business. 

  • We will, however, hand out a FREE small popcorn to those who show proof of COVID vaccination, as a “parting gift” when you exit the theater. 

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Note: protocols are subject to change, per new or evolving information.