FIRST LOOK: Lee Daniels Ready For Big 'Push' At Sundance

As filmmaker Lee Daniels gears up to take his latest movie, 'Push,' to the Sundance Film Festival next week, BlackVoices.com has obtained an exclusive image from the gritty drama -- sure to make everyone take notice in Park City Utah.

The eagerly anticipated film, based on the best-selling book of the same name, boasts an all-star cast including Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Kimberly Russell, and Sherri Shepherd of 'The View.'

Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe (pictured below in blue) is playing the starring role.

Daniels, who produced the critically acclaimed film 'Monster's Ball' (which netted Halle Berry her history making Academy Award win), has established a reputation of pushing the envelope with creative casting choices.

In 'Shadowboxer,' Academy Award winners Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren played assassins with hearts of gold. For 'The Woodsman,' Kevin Bacon battled his pedophilia past, as rappers Mos Def and Eve portrayed unrelenting police officers. And in 'Tennessee,' pop diva Carey plays a country & western singing waitress on the run.

For 'Push,' the super-sized comedienne Mo'Nique will be seen as she has never been seen before.

"Working again with Mo'Nique was like going home," Daniels told BlackVoices.com today. "We're family." In 'Shadowboxer,' the "Queen of Comedy" portrayed a narcotics abusing medical professional.

Though Mo'Nique, who plays the main character's mother, already has garnered a strong buzz, 'Push' actually tells the story of a confused, overweight African-American girl named Clareece "Precious" Jones.

Verbally and sexually abused by her family, her troubles lead to problems in school. Precious, as she is known, has no friends, no money, two kids (from her father), and she's illiterate. After being accepted into an alternative school where a teacher (played by Patton) helps her find an alternative path in her life. Along her journey, she comes across a concerned social worker (played by Carey) and a nurse (played by Kravitz) who shows her much kindness.

"Ever since I read the book, I saw Push as a movie," Daniels explained. "And finally after Sapphire saw my film, 'Shadowboxer,' she granted me the rights."

Top 10 Movies of 2008

Top 10 Movies of 2008:
Of the many films I have seen this year (over 350); these are the films I thought were the best of 2008. Many performances were the highlight of numerous films, including some that were in films that played in limited areas. Some will be recognized come Oscar time and some may not, but if you get a chance, check out these films and see why I considered them the best of this year.

Paramount | Warner Bros. | Alluvial Film Company | Weinstein Company LLC

10. 'Let The Right One In':
With all the hoopla surrounding the other vampire film, 'Twilight' --- with its legion of fans, this is the film that quietly captured the attention of many and had a story with substance. Thanks to director Tomas Alfredson's take on John Ajvide Lindqvist's Swedish bestseller-turned-screenplay. On DVD soon.

9. 'Gomorra':
If there was ever a film to compete with the Granddaddy of gangster films 'The Godfather,' it would be this foreign film from Italy. Matteo Gorrone's thought provoking look at the criminal underbelly through the lives of five individuals is frightening to imagine, but too engrossing to walk away from. In theaters now.

8. 'Rachel Getting Married':
In shedding the good girl image we've seen in her previous films, Anne Hathaway gives a tour-de-force performance as the sister that comes home and almost ruins a wedding with erratic behavior. In theaters now.

7. 'Ballast':
In using non-professionals for its cast, Lance Hammer directed a film that captures a slice-of-life with a topic (homelessness) that filmmakers rarely focus on, and brings realism to the American forefront. In theaters now.

6. 'Vicky Christina Barcelona':
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem ignited some fire in Woody Allen's latest romantic comedy, which also stars his current muse Scarlett Johansson and newcomer Rebecca Hall. After so many attempts in English speaking films, Cruz finally has a film that makes a Hollywood star. On DVD now.

5. 'Tell No One':
This French film has the makings of a Hollywood noir, with its romance, suspense, and intensity. Otto Preminger and Alfred Hitchcock would be so proud that some of their films were combined in this tale of man who believes that his dead wife may still be alive while he is under investigation for her murder. On DVD soon.

4. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button':
While the story about a man aging backwards may be seen as gimmicky and manipulative, David Fincher created a beautiful fantasy filled with wonderful visual effects and amazing performances by Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson. In theaters Christmas Day.

3. 'Milk':
Sean Penn's performance as Gay activist Harvey Milk is not only stunning, but director Gus Van Sant brought a level of emotion and intelligence to a subject matter that still touches the hearts of many in today's political climate. On DVD soon.

2. 'Slumdog Millionaire':
From the man who directed a diverse array of films ranging from 'Trainspotting' to '28 Days Later' to 'Millions',' comes this gem about a quest for freedom, respect and love. Danny Boyle's film is filled with such colorful imagery and passion that one can't leave the film without being highly entertained. In theaters now.

In a recent 'Essence' magazine interview, Mo'Nique revealed how her very own molestation inspired her performance. "My brother was a monster to me," she said, "When Lee [Daniels] would say 'Action,' I became my brother."

Patton, who's making a name for herself as one of Black Hollywood's rising stars, talked candidly and in-depth about her role during a recent interview.

"I play the schoolteacher, Ms. Rain. The story revolves around a young girl that grew up in Harlem that has faced unimaginable abuse and she is severely overweight and has a second child coming on the way; and the world has forgotten her. She's been left behind. Somehow she got through the eighth grade and still doesn't know how to read. She's befriended by this schoolteacher and together we forge a friendship."

"I push her to keep her will to live and tell her that she can be the best that she can be, and she can do more than anyone thought she can do," she continued. "Although she can't read right now, she can go to college. She then pushes me because at one point I was in a sad case with my family because I'm a lesbian and my mom has rejected me. The love that I get from her is replacing that from my mother. It's a really beautiful friendship."

'Push', which is set to make its world premiere at "The 2009 Sundance Film Festival," which takes place in Park City, Utah from Jan.15 through - Jan. 25.

"It's been exciting and challenging and I can't wait to get to Sundance for the world to see all of my hard work," Daniels concluded.