Pariah

Everybody knows Alika falls for women, from her friends to her teachers at high school. Alika's problem isn't so much her orientation, it's not being able to find a suitable partner. She is also worried by the question that troubles many young lesbians: how to tell my parents? Or rather: should I tell them at all?

Director Dee Rees shows what happens once Alika asks herself these questions. As such the film deviates from the mainstream coming-of age stories that often focus on the struggle with sexual orientation. Instead, Rees hones in on Alika's social network and the concealed and complex constellations of family life. Pariah premiered to very positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.