Moonlight is a 2016 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play in Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. The film presents three stages in the life of the main character, Chiron: his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. It explores the difficulties he faces with his sexuality and identity, including the physical and emotional abuse he endures growing up.
Moonlight was filmed in Miami, Florida, beginning in 2015, and premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016. The film stars Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris, and Mahershala Ali. The cinematography was done by James Laxton, who used a well-worn authenticity and a small handful of the films recognized by the Academy that year.
Moonlight won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was the first film with an entirely African-American cast and the first with a gay main character to win the top Oscar. The film has been praised for its empathetic depiction of complex characters and its portrayal of contemporary African-American life.
Moonlight is a timeless story of human connection and self-discovery that chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. It is a groundbreaking piece of cinema that reverberates with deep compassion and universal truths.
Plot
The film is divided into three acts, each titled for what people call the main character when the act takes place: "Little" during his childhood, "Chiron" during his teenage years, and "Black" as an adult.
In the first act, Chiron is a young boy who is bullied by his peers and neglected by his drug-addicted mother. He finds a father figure in Juan, a Miami crack dealer who takes pity on him and brings him home. Juan teaches Chiron to swim and encourages him to forge his own identity. Chiron asks Juan about his drug dealing and selling to his mother, and Juan appears tearfully remorseful.
In the second act, Chiron is a teenager who is still bullied and struggling with his sexuality. He reconnects with his childhood friend Kevin, and they share a romantic moment on the beach. However, Kevin is pressured by his peers to beat up Chiron, which he does.
In the third act, Chiron is an adult who has followed in Juan's footsteps and becomes a drug dealer. He receives a call from Kevin, whom he hasn't seen in years, and decides to visit him in Atlanta. They reconnect and share a tender moment, revealing they still have feelings for each other.
Cast
- Mahershala Ali as Juan
- Shariff Earp as Terrence
- Duan Sanderson as Azu (as Duan 'Sandy' Sanderson)
- Alex R. Hibbert as Little
- Janelle Monáe as Teresa
- Naomie Harris as Paula
- Jaden Piner as Kevin (9)
- Ashton Sanders as Chiron (16)
- Jharrel Jerome as Kevin (16)
- Trevante Rhodes as Black
Other notable cast members include Herman 'Caheei McGloun, Kamal Ani-Bellow, Keomi Givens, Eddie Blanchard, Rudi Goblen, and Edson Jean.
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writer: Barry Jenkins
Box Office Gross : $65,172,611
Distributor: A24
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2017
Themes
Moonlight explores themes of identity, sexuality, masculinity, family, friendship, and love. It is a poignant portrayal of contemporary African-American life and a meditation on the moments and forces that shape our lives.
Reception
The film received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the [Academy Award)](@leoglossary/leoglossary-academy-awards for Best Picture. It was praised for its character work, cinematography, and universal themes about identity and masculinity.
Challenges Faced
The film's director, Barry Jenkins, and the cast found reassurance and freedom under shooting pressures. Jenkins' vision and the film's unique subtlety were noted as elements that made it stand out.
Settings, Visual Styles, and Techniques
"Moonlight" is set in the impoverished Liberty City area of Miami and is known for its bold color, rich skin tone, and high-contrast cinematography. The film's visual style is characterized by its lived-in settings and profound, compassionate portrayal of its characters.