Always glad to see new work by the unstoppable dynamic director-cinematographer duo of Ava DuVernay and Bradford Young (who won Best Cinematographer at this year’s Sundance Festival for the second time!). This short film is the film in a series commissioned by designer Miu Miu called Women’s Tales, which focuses on the strength and transformative power of female bonds and friendship.
The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”
Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.
The short film stars Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer-songwriter Goapele. You’ll recall that Ava DuVernay was the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance in 2012, for her second feature, Middle of Nowhere.
Yeah, it’s a long clothing ad. But what a joy to see all of these beautiful black women captured in a story by this talented filmmaking team!
And check out the behind the scenes/making of video:
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