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PARIAH
Presented by: Film i Malmö membership required
March 26, 2026
Thursday, 19:30
Director: Dee Rees
Year: 2011
Runtime: 86 minutes
Quick summary:
Alike is a smart, introspective high school senior, struggling to come to terms with her sexual identity. She knows she’s a lesbian, but not yet sure how that factor plays into the persona she presents to the world. The film follows her through a few months of her senior year, as she tries on different identities and works to figure out who she is, what she values, and how she wants other people to see her.
Best time to watch:
When you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age film that is actually well-done and not cliché as fuck.
Alike is a smart, introspective high school senior, struggling to come to terms with her sexual identity. She knows she’s a lesbian, but not yet sure how that factor plays into the persona she presents to the world. The film follows her through a few months of her senior year, as she tries on different identities and works to figure out who she is, what she values, and how she wants other people to see her.
Best time to watch:
When you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age film that is actually well-done and not cliché as fuck.
As part of a female, coming-of-age movie marathon. Invite some friends over and watch “Pariah,” “The Edge of Seventeen” (Fremon Craig, 2016), “Mustang” (Ergüven, 2015), “Girlhood” (Sciamma, 2014), “Now and Then” (Linka Glatter, 1995), “Glue” (Dos Santos, 2006), etc.
With your parent or tone-deaf relative who desperately needs a primer on gender identity. Do you know someone who voted for Trump? Find a way to make them watch and talk about this movie.
Worst time to watch:
When you’re frenzied/anxious and can’t stop checking your phone. Nothing makes me angrier than seeing someone checking their phone in the middle of a movie. Before I watch anything, I switch my phone off and minimize all distractions. If I’m watching with another person, talking is strictly forbidden. TURN OFF YOUR FUCKING PHONE. This isn’t exclusive to “Pariah,” but I’ve never mentioned it before and felt it needed to be stated.
When you’re frenzied/anxious and can’t stop checking your phone. Nothing makes me angrier than seeing someone checking their phone in the middle of a movie. Before I watch anything, I switch my phone off and minimize all distractions. If I’m watching with another person, talking is strictly forbidden. TURN OFF YOUR FUCKING PHONE. This isn’t exclusive to “Pariah,” but I’ve never mentioned it before and felt it needed to be stated.
Also… don’t watch this movie (or any movie) when you don’t have time to finish it in one sitting. This is another thing that makes me want to scream. I have friends who will watch half of a movie, stop, cook dinner, take a bath, then finish watching. What?! Who told you this was okay? You’re completely messing up the flow! This is sacrilege. If you can’t watch a movie in one sitting without checking your phone, don’t watch movies at all.
(Woman In Revolt)
(Woman In Revolt)