Author behind movie ‘Precious’ to speak at WSU

The author of Push, the novel that became the Academy Award winning feature film ‘Precious’, will visit Dayton this month.

Novelist/poet Sapphire, is scheduled to speak at The Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University on Monday, April 12 at 7 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

A few days before the presentation, the Neon Movies in downtown Dayton has two free screenings of ‘Precious’ scheduled for April 10 at noon and 3 p.m.  Tickets are required and will be available on April 2 at the theater.

Push, Sapphire’s 1996 debut novel, tells the story of Precious Jones, an obese, functionally-illiterate 16 year-old mother struggling to escape a harsh life of neglect, abuse and incest.

In 2008, the book was adapted into the film ‘Precious’, and premiered (with much acclaim) at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.  The film attracted the attention of Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, who signed on as executive-producers of the project in an effort to boost the project’s visibility in Hollyood.

After being picked up for distribution by LionsGate Entertainment, the film was released on November 6, 2009. Though the film was originally slated for limited theatrical release, critical acclaim, positive reviews and the star power of Perry and Winfrey propelled ‘Precious’ into the national spotlight.

‘Precious’ received six Academy Award nominations and won in the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress categories.

Sapphire’s presentation is part of Wright State University’s celebration of Minority Health Month.  For additional information regarding this event, please visit here.