0:00:02 > 0:00:06This film contains very strong language,
0:00:06 > 0:00:11some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and some scenes of a sexual nature.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12'My name is Claireece Precious Jones.'
0:01:12 > 0:01:15(BELL RINGS)
0:01:15 > 0:01:19'I wish I had a light-skinned boyfriend with real nice hair.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21'And I want to be on the cover of a magazine.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'But first I want to be in one of them BET videos.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27'Momma said I can't dance.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30'Plus she say who want to see my big ass dancin' anyhow?'
0:01:30 > 0:01:34(MAN) If there's no volunteers I'm going to have to call people.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38OK, Leticia, you got number one. Leticia.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- Jess, Wesley, two and three. - 'I like math.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43'I don't say nothin'.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'I don't open my book even. I just sit there.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53'Every day I tell myself something going to happen.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'Like, I'm going to break through.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59'Or somebody going to break through to me.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00'I'm going to be normal
0:02:00 > 0:02:05'and pay attention and sit in the front of the class.'
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- Principles. - 'Someday.'
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Principles you can do in your head.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12'I likes Mr Wicher.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17'I pretend he my husband and we live someplace like Westchester.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22'Look at him. He like me, too, I know it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24'I can tell by his eyes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27'He always lookin' at me and smilin' at me.'
0:02:27 > 0:02:28Boys. Boys!
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I'm not your fuckin' boy.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- You're disrupting the class. - Well, I'm talkin' now!
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Shut the fuck up. I'm tryin' to listen.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42'Mr Wicher know I got his back.'
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- 122. (BOY)- Woof!
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Woof! - (WICHER) Why are we barking, Jess?
0:02:48 > 0:02:53Monday's assignment. I'm assuming everybody did it.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54(PUPILS) No.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56No.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59(WICHER) Please...
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Precious... Quiet. Precious, get your things.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- I have to... Come here for a second. - 'Now this shit.'
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Is there anybody who didn't do their homework?
0:03:11 > 0:03:16Why? These aren't requests, these are requirements, OK?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21You have to go to the principal's office.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33(HONKS) Go to the principal's office.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36All right, that's enough. That's enough.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- (WOMAN)- No, he's not allowed on campus. Where was he seen?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Could you tell Mr Tork from room 25
0:03:42 > 0:03:44to go to room 16 right away? Thank you.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47No, he was seen on the second floor.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Send Claireece in here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57She ready for you now.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Mr Taylor? Ms Lichtenstein. ..Come in.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Matthew Williams, second floor.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11In front of his locker. Yes. Suspended last week. Hm-hmm.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Yeah.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Yes, absolutely. Thank you.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Hello, Claireece.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Are you pregnant?
0:04:33 > 0:04:38You're 16. You're still in junior high school.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42And you're pregnant with your second child.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Is that correct, Claireece?
0:04:47 > 0:04:48Are you pregnant again?
0:04:54 > 0:04:55(TUTS)
0:04:55 > 0:05:01- What happened, Claireece? - I had sex, Ms Lichenstein.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Do you have any other thoughts about your situation, Claireece?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Claireece?
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Am I in trouble?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Thank you. I gotta get back to math.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27Sit down, Claireece. Sit down right now.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29We should have a parent-teacher's conference
0:05:29 > 0:05:31with you, me and your mother.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33My mother busy.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35All right. Well, how about if I come to your house?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37If I were you, I wouldn't.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I... I'm going to have to suspend you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45That ain't fair! I didn't do nothin'. I do my work. My grades is good.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Is something going on at home?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50If something's going on at home, I want you to tell me right now.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- (MOTHER) You get my cigarettes? - Nah, they didn't have it.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I played the number, though. I couldn't box it.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29(CAT MEOWS)
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Ah, yes!
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Yeah...
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Yeah, right there.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Yeah. Daddy loves you!
0:06:46 > 0:06:47(CROWD SCREAMS)
0:06:47 > 0:06:49(GIRL) Oh, my God, Precious!
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- What did you think of the film? - It was fabulous.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57What's next for you?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- How are you feeling? - I feel great!
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Just one more, just one more! - I love you, too!
0:07:07 > 0:07:09You know I love you! Hey, boo.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12(RUMBLING)
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I ain't going to say it no more.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38(VOICES ON TV)
0:07:45 > 0:07:47(DOOR BUZZER)
0:07:58 > 0:07:59(INSISTENT BUZZING)
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Tell them assholes stop ringin' my bell.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05'I hate crackheads.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08'No-one ever ring this bell 'cept for crackheads.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10'Why they fuckin' with us?'
0:08:13 > 0:08:14(BUZZER)
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Stop ringin' the goddamn buzzer, motherfuckers!
0:08:18 > 0:08:20'Get the ghetto a bad name.'
0:08:21 > 0:08:23(BUZZER)
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Stop ringin' the goddamn buzzer!
0:08:33 > 0:08:34(BUZZER)
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Stop it!
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- (BUZZER) - Stop it!
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Press "listen", stupid.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52It's Sandra Lichtenstein for Claireece and Ms Mary Johnston.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Who is that, Precious?
0:08:57 > 0:08:58White bitch from school.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08What d'you want?
0:09:08 > 0:09:09Claireece,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12I want to talk to you about your education.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17(WHISPERS) 86 that bitch.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'My mother don't want to get cut off welfare.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22'That's what this visit going to result in.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Ms Lichenstein, get outta here before I kick your ass.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33'Mr Wicher told me that you're one of his best math students.'
0:09:33 > 0:09:36If your fat ass don't get that bitch away from here...
0:09:36 > 0:09:40'..like a potential for math. So I called Mrs McKnight
0:09:40 > 0:09:45'from Higher Education Alternative, Each One Teach One.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48'It's an alternative school. Claireece?'
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- Are you listening to me? - Yeah.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55'OK. Mrs McKnight. Each One Teach One.'
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It's located at the 11th floor,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Hotel Theresa, 125th Street.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Get rid of that bitch.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07'..11th floor.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I heard you the first time.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10OK.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14'I don't know what an alternative school is,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16'but I feel I want to know.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23'My heart is all warm inside. Mr Wicher think I'm a good student.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- 'I knew'd he liked me.- (GIGGLES)'
0:10:42 > 0:10:44(PAN CLATTERS)
0:10:46 > 0:10:48School ain't going to help none!
0:10:48 > 0:10:53Take your ass down to the welfare. Who the fuck she think she is?
0:10:54 > 0:10:56So I guess you think you cute now, right?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Uppity bitch. You shoulda kept your fuckin' mouth shut.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Just cos he going to give you more children than he gave me,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10you think you're something fuckin' special? Fuck you and fuck him!
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Precious!
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Precious! Precious!
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Get down here, bitch!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25You brought that white bitch up in my house?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Why'd you bring that bitch up here? - I didn't.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Well, why the fuck did she ring my buzzer?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35I can't hear you, since you got so much motherfuckin' mouth
0:11:35 > 0:11:37and you bring that bitch in my house.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Why'd that bitch ring my goddamn buzzer?
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I didn't tell her to come here!
0:11:41 > 0:11:45See, I think right now, you feelin' like you're becomin' a grown woman.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Cos that shit you pulled in the kitchen,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I should've fucked you up, but I let you walk away,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52and I let you come get yourself together.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55But, bitch, if you ever pull that shit on me again,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58that will be your last motherfuckin' day standin', I promise you.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Send a white bitch to my motherfucking buzzer?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Talkin' about some higher education? You're a dummy, bitch.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05You will never know shit.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Don't nobody want you. Don't nobody need you.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13You done fucked my motherfuckin' man and had two motherfuckin' children,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15and one's a goddamn animal runnin' around,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17looking crazy as a motherfucker.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Bitch, you know what? See, I think you... I think you tryin' me.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26I think you're tryin' to fuck with me. You're fuckin' with my money.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Standin' up there lookin' down at me like you're a motherfuckin' woman.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I'll show you what real women do, bitch.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You don't know what real motherfuckin' women do!
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Real motherfuckin' women sacrifice.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I shoulda aborted your motherfuckin' ass, cos you ain't shit!
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I knew the day they put you in my goddamn hand
0:12:41 > 0:12:43you wasn't a goddamn thing!
0:12:43 > 0:12:47You have that smirk on your face, bitch? Get it off your fuckin' face!
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Now smile about that! Smile about that, you fat bi...!
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Bitch!
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I'm going to kill you, bitch!
0:13:04 > 0:13:05(CAT SCREECHES)
0:13:05 > 0:13:07(CLATTERING) Bitch!
0:13:07 > 0:13:09(DISCO MUSIC)
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- (TV) BLANK and eggs. - Bacon.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- Right. What's up, Doc eats these. - Carrots.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Right. Ice that comes in a tray. - Ice cubes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Right. And the best part of the steak.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- T-bone. - No.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23- Filet mignon. - Right.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- An English... Thomas's English... - Muffin.- Right.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30(COMPERE) That's it! (APPLAUSE)
0:13:37 > 0:13:39You really need to get some rest.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42You have such a big day ahead of you tomorrow.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45And remember, Mommy loves you.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50(DISCO MUSIC)
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Precious, you know I love you.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I'm going to kick that white lady outta my house,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06move you in with me. You want to live in Westchester?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Commit a... - Crime.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- This is you get back together again.- Reunion.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- This is when you're like this... - Pregnant.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Yeah. This is you make a fast... - Escape.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19(COMPERE) That's it.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22(MUSIC POUNDS)
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Where you goin'?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Where you goin'?
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Make sure you play my 852 and tell 'em to box it.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04And get some kitty litter.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08(TURNS TV ON)
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Ethel, where you at? (MAKES COAXING SOUND)
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Precious, what we going to play? - Get the fuck outta here.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- Why ain't you at school? - You said we was going to play.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23That's exactly why we ain't playing. I never said nothin' like that.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25# (BIG-BAND MUSIC)
0:15:36 > 0:15:40(SUNNY GALE) # Did you ever hear a dream talking?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42# Well, I did
0:15:44 > 0:15:50# Did you ever have a dream thrill you with "Will you be mine?"
0:15:52 > 0:15:55# Oh, it's so grand
0:15:55 > 0:15:58# And it's too, too divine
0:16:00 > 0:16:04# Did you ever see a dream dancing?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06# Well, I did
0:16:08 > 0:16:12# Did you ever find heaven right in your arms
0:16:12 > 0:16:15# Saying, "I love you, I do"?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19# Well, the dream that was walking and the dream that was talking
0:16:19 > 0:16:22# And the heaven in my arms was you! #
0:16:22 > 0:16:26You would say some shit like that to me and you don't even mean it?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29No, I'm not playin' with you. (BEEP)
0:16:29 > 0:16:34No, and she come... Hold on. Each One Teach One. Hold, please.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Yes, she called my house. I know it wasn't your sister, Trey.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Because it wasn't her.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- What this is here? - Each One Teach One.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- I'm looking for an alternative school.- This is an alternative.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53What alternative is?
0:16:53 > 0:16:57What exactly are you asking me?
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Lady at my other school told me to come here, Hotel Theresa.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- Said it's an alternative school. - An alternative school.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08It's like a choice. A different way of doing things.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11So I need your discharge papers sayin' that they discharged you.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14I got kicked out of school cos I was pregnant.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I still need your discharge papers or we can't let you in.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Ms Lichtenstein didn't say all that. - You the one she called about.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Claireece P Jones?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28They already sent your discharge papers and stuff.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- I could start today? - Yeah.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Are you currently receiving AFDC?
0:17:33 > 0:17:36My mother get AFDC for me and my daughter.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Your mother has custody of you and your daughter
0:17:38 > 0:17:40and you're on her budget?
0:17:40 > 0:17:43I need a copy of your mother's budget, a copy of your phone bill
0:17:43 > 0:17:45and your utility bill.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50We gotta test your reading and your math level, see where to place you.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52(PHONE RINGS) Hold on, baby.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Each One Teach One. Hold.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56To enter into the GED classes,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59you gotta get an 8.0 or better on the TABE.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32'There's always somethin' wrong with these tests.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36'These tests paint a picture of me with no brain.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40'These tests paint a picture of me and my mother,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42'my whole family, as less than dumb.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46'Just ugly black grease to be wiped away, finded a job for.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49'Sometimes I wish I was dead.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'I'll be OK I guess, cos I'm lookin' up.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59'I'm lookin' up for a piano to fall. (CHUCKLES)
0:18:59 > 0:19:04'A desk, couch, TV... Momma, maybe.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- 'Always somethin' in my way.' - (MUSIC ON GHETTO BLASTER)
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- Yeah, man. - Make sure you get that for me, man.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12'Alternative.'
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Stop smokin' them shits, man.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17That ain't the only thing going to kill you.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Hustling in the streets going to kill you.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20It is what it is.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'Then my mind come back down to earth.'
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Let me get some of that sweet ass, orca.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- What up, momma?- 'Why boys always grab on themselves?'
0:19:29 > 0:19:33You heard what the fuck I said? I said gimme some fuckin' ass!
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I'm serious. When you going to let me hit that?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- That bitch is laughing! - 'I wish they'd leave me alone.'
0:19:39 > 0:19:40She's stupider.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43(LAUGHS)
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Oh!
0:19:45 > 0:19:48That's what she'd get anyway.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- (CROWD SCREAMS) (GIRL)- Precious!
0:19:51 > 0:19:53(RAP MUSIC)
0:19:57 > 0:19:59(GIRL SQUEALS)
0:20:02 > 0:20:04(GIRL) Precious!
0:20:24 > 0:20:26(GIRL) Precious!
0:20:42 > 0:20:44(WATER RUNS)
0:20:57 > 0:20:59(SIGHS)
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Ma, I need some money.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Ma, I'm hungry!
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Come take care of Mommy, Precious.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06'I wish she'd stop this shit.'
0:22:07 > 0:22:10(SLOWLY CLIMBS STAIRS)
0:22:13 > 0:22:16'The other day I cried.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18'I felt stupid.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21'But you know what? Fuck that day.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'That's why God, or whoever, makes new days.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29'Still hungry, though.'
0:22:34 > 0:22:39(WOMAN) Nigger want me to leave my kids. They're my kids.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- What you want, baby? - Give me a basket, please.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Sides? - I don't know yet.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I'm still thinkin' about it. Tryin' to watch my figure.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Butchie, you got a ten-piece ready?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Potato salad.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21Thank you.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Hell, no, she didn't!
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Get her ass! Get that big bitch!
0:23:31 > 0:23:34MUSIC: "My Good Lovin'" by Da Brat and Lil Mo
0:24:03 > 0:24:06No, I am not the one.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Uh-uh.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09(NO SOUND)
0:24:40 > 0:24:41(GROANS)
0:25:10 > 0:25:12You in ABE?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Yeah.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Time's a-wasting.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42What's your name?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Claireece.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46Are you comin' in?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55That door closes in 20 seconds.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02How you guys doin' today?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Would you like to join us, Consuelo?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Consuelo, class is beginning.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17You guys know that you are in the ABE class.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20This is not GED. This is to get you ready for your GED.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43These journals are very important, so do not forget them.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46You will need to use them every day you are here.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47They are the key to this class.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- It's 9:07, Joann. You're late. - You said breakfast is important.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Tomorrow, that door will be locked at nine o'clock.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I want you to state your name,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03where you were born, your favourite colour,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05something you do well and why you're here.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I'll go first.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11When are you due?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- My name... - What you mean, you don't know?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- ..is Blu Rain. - That's your real name?
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Yes, it is. - What, your first name Blu?
0:27:22 > 0:27:24My favourite colour is purple.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26I sing well.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29And I'm here...
0:27:32 > 0:27:34..because I love to teach.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- 'She like to sing.' - Rhonda?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40'I wish I could sing. Go to church and sing in a choir.'
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Show 'em how it's done. (JAMAICAN ACCENT)- All right.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47My name is Rhonda Patrice Johnson.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49(SNORTS)
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Problem?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- (QUIETLY)- I should smack her. - (GIRL)- What?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56I was born in Kingston, Jamaica,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01and my favourite colour is blue, and I cook good.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04My mother used to have a restaurant on 7th Avenue.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Before she get sick, she teach me everything.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10So I'm here to get my reading up so I can get my GED.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19My name is Rita Romero. I was born here in Harlem.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24I'm here cos I was an addict and I dropped out of school.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27So I never got my reading and writing together.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30My favourite colour's black.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32- What do you do good? - (RAIN) "Well", Joann.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- "What do you do well?" - What do I do well?
0:28:35 > 0:28:37No. Rita?
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I'm a good mother. A very good mother.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46My name's Jermaine. My favourite colour is red.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Tell us where you were born first.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51I was born in the Bronx. Still live there.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56My favourite colour is red. Used to be blue.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I can dance real good.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Homie of mine told me about Each One Teach One,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03so I came here to stay out oftrouble.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06You came to Harlem to stay out of trouble, right?
0:29:06 > 0:29:07Yeah.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- Consuelo? - This is bullshit.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12You think so?
0:29:16 > 0:29:17Claireece?
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Can I skip, too?
0:29:24 > 0:29:25(RAIN) Joann?
0:29:25 > 0:29:29OK. I'm Joann. Hey! (LAUGHS)
0:29:29 > 0:29:31(LAUGHS)
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Erm... My favourite colour is fluorescent beige
0:29:33 > 0:29:36and my ambition is to have my own record layer.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38A record layer? Tell us where you come from
0:29:38 > 0:29:40and why you come to this school.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42I was born in Kings County Hospital,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44but my mother moved us to Harlem when I was nine.
0:29:44 > 0:29:50I'm here to get my GED, and then... I'm already into the music industry.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53I'm just doing this little education thing so I can move up.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54(RAIN) Let's begin.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57This is ABE.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Can I go?
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'I wish I could sit in the back of the class again.'
0:30:16 > 0:30:19My name... Claireece Precious Jones.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23I go by Precious.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25I live in Harlem.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I like yellow. And...
0:30:30 > 0:30:34..I had problems at my other school, so I come here.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Something you do well?
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Nothing.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Everybody's good at something.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- Uh-uh. - Come on.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Well, I can cook, and...
0:30:58 > 0:31:02I never really talked in class before.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07How does that make you feel?
0:31:14 > 0:31:15Here.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20It make me feel here.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Everybody open their journal.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Write the date at the top of the page... and write.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I don't care if you spell everything wrong
0:31:33 > 0:31:36or if it's grammatically incorrect. Just write anything you're feeling.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39This class will be a revolving door.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Some of you will make it and some of you won't.
0:31:43 > 0:31:4515 minutes. Go.
0:31:48 > 0:31:54'Before, I got a A-minus at English, and I didn't have to say nothin'.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58'Ms Rain said we going to read and write in our notebooks every day.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00'How we supposed to do that?
0:32:03 > 0:32:06'But then she see the worry on my face and she say,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'The longest journey begin with a single step.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14'Whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean.'
0:32:14 > 0:32:17(RAIN) Come on, come on, do the work.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20You love it, love it, learn it.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- (RAIN)- Consuelo?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- (JOANN)- # C for Consuelo!
0:32:25 > 0:32:29- C for kick your ass. - It's K for kick your ass, stupid.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- (JERMAINE)- I got the D, Ms Rain.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37D for dick.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- (JERMAINE)- Tell this little-ass bitch that she don't know me.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41Bet you wish you had!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52(RAIN) Help her. (PUPILS) E.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- (PUPIL)- E! (TITTERS)
0:33:20 > 0:33:23F for fat.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26- What? - Good.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30(ALL YELL)
0:33:30 > 0:33:31Hey! Hey! Hey! Quit it!
0:33:33 > 0:33:34People!
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- Hey, stop it right now! Quit it! - She just hit me!
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- (CACKLES) - (CONSUELO)- Shut the fuck up!
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- She just slapped me! - Get out.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45(JOANN CACKLES) We don't fight in my class.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Sit down.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48(CACKLES)
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- (RHONDA)- C for cold! - (ALL LAUGH)
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Do you live with anybody?
0:34:05 > 0:34:07My mother.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08What does she do?
0:34:10 > 0:34:12She don't do nothin'.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I want you to read a page from this book.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Try.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33All I need you to do is sound out these words for me.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35You don't have to know every word, just...
0:34:35 > 0:34:37It doesn't matter if you stumble.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Try for me. Or trip up on it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42You just need to say what you know.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47Come on, you can do this. Try. Take it word by word.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- Are you listening? - (MARY) Precious!
0:34:49 > 0:34:52(RAIN) I just want to know where you are in your reading skills.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55(MARY) Some higher fuckin' learnin'! You a dumb bitch.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57(RAIN) Try to read, OK?
0:34:57 > 0:34:58(BUBBLING)
0:34:58 > 0:35:02- (PANTS) - "Working together against crime."
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- (FATHER) - You better than your mother!
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- I'm going to call the nurse. - No!
0:35:12 > 0:35:14It all look the same to me.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20What's this?
0:35:22 > 0:35:24I can't do that, Ms Rain.
0:35:25 > 0:35:26Push yourself.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30A?
0:35:32 > 0:35:33What's this word?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Do you know the letters? Come on.
0:35:42 > 0:35:43D.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47A.
0:35:50 > 0:35:51Y.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Do you know that word?
0:35:56 > 0:35:57Day.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01What word is that?
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- Ate. Ate. - Good. Almost.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08The word is "at".
0:36:09 > 0:36:10At.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14The.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Sound it out. - Beach.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23The word is "shore". It's almost like "beach".
0:36:23 > 0:36:27Very good. Now, read the whole thing for me.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30"A...
0:36:31 > 0:36:33"..day...
0:36:35 > 0:36:37"..at the...
0:36:38 > 0:36:40"..shore."
0:36:44 > 0:36:49(VOICES ON TV) Get your big ass in here.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Where was you at this morning? Hmm?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12You hear me talking? Where was you at this mornin'?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- School. I was at school. - You a lyin' whore.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- I'm not lyin'. - You is.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21The welfare going to remove you from my budget
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- cos you ain't attendin' school. - I told you I got kicked out.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27I been home nearly every day for two weeks.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30You ain't told me nothin' about no damn school today.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I told you I was goin' to school this mornin'.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38You plan on puttin' some food in that fryin' pan?
0:37:42 > 0:37:45(SLAMS PAN DOWN) Precious, you got somethin' to say?
0:37:45 > 0:37:50- No.- Then don't slam shit down in here. You understand?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- Yes, ma'am. - Hm-hmm.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Forget about that school shit. Take your ass down to the welfare.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- I'm getting a stipend from school. - What the fuck is a stipend?
0:38:00 > 0:38:04What is that? Fuck a stipend! I said take your ass down to the welfare.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- Right now?- Why the fuck would you go right now?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09It's night-time. Shit is closed.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12You got to be there by 7am if you want to talk to somebody.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Fuckin' stupid. (CAT MEOWS)
0:38:17 > 0:38:20You think you're too good now?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Is that what it is?
0:38:22 > 0:38:25You think you is too good for the welfare?
0:38:28 > 0:38:32There's more white folk getting assistance than niggers, Ms Onassis.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35I think I said therapy.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40Hurry your ass up. I am in here fuckin' starvin'.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Now what you going to do if I die of starvation? Where you going to go?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Oh, I forgot. School.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Each... What that bitch say? Each One do what?
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Each One Teach One?
0:38:53 > 0:38:57They don't know who the fuck they teachin', cos you can't learn shit.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Keep on listenin' to them white people.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02That's what's going to get you fucked up.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Precious, I'm hungry.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19(WOMAN SPEAKS ITALIAN ON TV)
0:39:31 > 0:39:36You ain't cooked no collard greens with the fuckin' pigs' feet?
0:39:36 > 0:39:39How am I supposed to eat pigs' feet with no collard greens?
0:39:39 > 0:39:43And why in the fuck does that pigs' feet have so much hair in it?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46You eat it. You come eat this shit.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48- I'm not hungry, though. - Yes, you is!
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Precious, if you don't get this goddamn plate...
0:39:56 > 0:39:58You just fix mine when you get done.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Since you fucked it up, you eat it up.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Hurry up and eat, Precious. I'm fuckin' hungry, too.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Don't let it get cold, cos cold-ass pigs' feet is nasty as shit.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12(CHURCH BELL TOLLS)
0:40:21 > 0:40:24(ITALIAN VOICES ON TV)
0:42:00 > 0:42:01(CHATTER)
0:42:13 > 0:42:17(WOMAN) So tell me about... tell me about your home life.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Ain't nothin' to really talk about.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25You're in a safe place. Just talk.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26What's going on?
0:42:26 > 0:42:30What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about home?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I just wish I had my own TV, so I could watch it in my own room.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37If I had my own TV, I wouldn't have to watch it with my mother.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40And what's it like watching TV with your mother?
0:42:40 > 0:42:43You enjoy watching TV with YOUR mother?
0:42:43 > 0:42:47I need to know about your home life, what it's like where you live.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51My mother's like a whale on the couch.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54She say I eat all the time, but she always makin' me eat.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Then she call me a fat mess.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00She say the apartment is little cos of me.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03Only time she ever leaves is to play her numbers.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07I feel like I could sit in the house with her every day, the shades drawn,
0:43:07 > 0:43:12watch TV, eat, watch TV, eat again.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Can you help out with that?
0:43:15 > 0:43:17Can we talk about somethin' else now?
0:43:24 > 0:43:25How about your firstborn?
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Mongo?
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Mongo is her...? Is that...?
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Mongo. That's short for "mongoloid".
0:43:34 > 0:43:40Is that what you call her? Or... What is that, a nickname?
0:43:40 > 0:43:41She got Down's Syndrome.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46(MONGO BURBLES)
0:43:49 > 0:43:50How you doing, Precious?
0:43:50 > 0:43:53'My grandmother Toosie bring Mongo over to our house...
0:43:53 > 0:43:54(BUZZER)
0:43:54 > 0:43:58'..on days when the social worker come so it look like she live with us.'
0:43:58 > 0:44:01(INSISTENT BUZZING) Answer the fuckin' door!
0:44:02 > 0:44:04You see what you did? Goddamn it!
0:44:04 > 0:44:08'Then my mother get the moneys and food stamps for me and Mongo.'
0:44:08 > 0:44:09Who is it?
0:44:09 > 0:44:12'It's Ms Turner.'
0:44:12 > 0:44:13The social worker here.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17You didn't tell me that bitch was comin' so fuckin' early!
0:44:17 > 0:44:20- My fuckin' wig! Come get my wig! - Come up.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Where's my lipstick?
0:44:30 > 0:44:33Thank you! Thank you!
0:44:33 > 0:44:35(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
0:44:38 > 0:44:40(TURNS TV OFF)
0:44:42 > 0:44:45- Get off of me! - Leave that child alone, please!
0:44:45 > 0:44:47Mind your goddamn business.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52- Hi, Precious. - Hey.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55- Hello, Ms Turner. How you doin'? - Hi, Mary.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58Excuse that. My sweet grandbaby knocked it over.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00Please, have a seat. Excuse the mess.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Thank you. How are you, Mary?
0:45:03 > 0:45:05I'm doing really good, Ms Turner. Thank you.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09Erm, when was the last time you've taken her to the doctor?
0:45:09 > 0:45:13Erm... Precious, when did we take her, the baby?
0:45:13 > 0:45:14Last month.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17Yeah, on the 16th. On the 16th. Yes, yes, ma'am.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20OK, and what did the doctor say?
0:45:20 > 0:45:21Er...
0:45:23 > 0:45:26They said that she's progressing really good.
0:45:26 > 0:45:27She's doing really good.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29- That's good. - Yes, ma'am.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32And have you been looking for a job?
0:45:32 > 0:45:33I have, Ms Turner. I... I am.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36But they've all been saying the same thing.
0:45:36 > 0:45:41They'll call me back, they'll get back to me. Uh-oh!
0:45:41 > 0:45:44- When did you go looking for the job? - Erm... I went last week.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47And I filled out several applications
0:45:47 > 0:45:51and they all said the same thing, that they would call me.
0:45:53 > 0:45:54Mommy!
0:45:54 > 0:45:56No!
0:45:56 > 0:45:58No!
0:45:58 > 0:46:00Is that a new microwave oven?
0:46:00 > 0:46:03- A... A microwave? - Hm-hmm.
0:46:03 > 0:46:08No, ma'am, we warm our things up in the oven.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10- It's a toaster oven. - Yes, ma'am.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12OK, erm...
0:46:12 > 0:46:17I will be seeing and speaking with you in a week or so.
0:46:17 > 0:46:22In a week or so? Do you know what time you'll be coming?
0:46:22 > 0:46:24- I'll let you know. - Thank you so much.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27Precious, any questions for me?
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Uh-uh.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33- How are you, Precious? - I'm doin' good.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35How you doin'?
0:46:35 > 0:46:37I'm good, thank you.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41- Ladies, thank you for your time. - Thank you, Ms Turner.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44- Have a great day. - And you. Bye, Sheila.
0:46:44 > 0:46:45- (MONGO)- Bye.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51Come get this motherfuckin'...! Get her!
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Movin' and shit while I'm trying to talk to this bitch.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Makes me fuckin' itch.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01She done threw her fuckin' candy on the floor. Goddamn animal.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06You going to give it to her? Put the fuckin' candy back on the floor!
0:47:06 > 0:47:09You going to let her have it? You're so fuckin' stupid.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Just like her dumb ass.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14That bitch going to come up in here and I gotta fuckin' make pretend?
0:47:14 > 0:47:18I'm sick of it! What the fuck you shakin' your head for?
0:47:18 > 0:47:20You didn't do no goddamn better.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Let's talk about your father. Tell me about your relationship with him.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27I don't know much more than you do, Ms White.
0:47:27 > 0:47:31It's Ms Weiss. Tell me the little you DO know about your father.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33It is important, whether you know it or not.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38He give me this baby and my one before it, but...
0:47:38 > 0:47:40- What did you say he gave you? - Nothin'.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42- You said your father gave you... - Nothin'.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45- I heard you say... - You didn't hear shit.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47- I heard you say... - I ain't say shit like it!
0:47:47 > 0:47:50I don't care, honey. I need to know this.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- Move on! - I need to know this to help you.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54- Bitch, change the subject! - OK.
0:47:54 > 0:47:58Well, I'll see you next time, then. Or maybe you'll see someone else.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02But you have to talk to somebody if you want your cheque, sweetie.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14I see vampires, too.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21They come at night. They tell me I'm one of them.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25They say, "Precious, you belong with us."
0:48:27 > 0:48:29And then they go downstairs through the floor.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32The people that live under us, they is vampires,
0:48:32 > 0:48:35so that's where they should go.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37They be so nasty, though,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40leaving dirty tampons and shit in the garbage.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44Don't even offer to take it out. They got no fuckin' home trainin'.
0:48:47 > 0:48:52I've been going to the doctor, too. It's nice.
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Ms Rain will fall out when she finds out
0:48:54 > 0:48:57I ain't never been to no doctor before.
0:48:57 > 0:48:58(CHUCKLES)
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Don't know I had my first baby on the kitchen floor
0:49:02 > 0:49:04with my momma kicking me upside my head.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Them the kinda things you talking about
0:49:09 > 0:49:12when you say say whatever come into my mind?
0:49:15 > 0:49:18'That's the end of them welfare cheques.
0:49:18 > 0:49:23'I just couldn't lie no more. I shouldn't have said none of that.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28'Momma going to kill me.'
0:49:28 > 0:49:30(FUNK MUSIC)
0:49:34 > 0:49:35(LAUGHTER)
0:49:35 > 0:49:37Motherfuckers!
0:49:40 > 0:49:44- What're we doin'? - I'm not doing this with you today.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46'One night we went out on a field trip.'
0:49:46 > 0:49:48One second.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51- Boo! - (LAUGHTER)
0:49:51 > 0:49:53'These girls is crazy.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57'Ain't nobody ever grabbed my hand like that before.'
0:50:02 > 0:50:04(LAUGHTER)
0:50:09 > 0:50:12(SHIRLEY CHISHOLM) 'I stand before you today...
0:50:13 > 0:50:16'..as a candidate for the Democratic nomination
0:50:16 > 0:50:19'for the presidency of the United States of America."
0:50:19 > 0:50:21- (MALCOLM X)- 'By having destroyed it,
0:50:21 > 0:50:24'now we don't know of any achievement...'
0:50:25 > 0:50:27- (MAN)- '..and the testimony you're about to give
0:50:27 > 0:50:30'will be the truth, the whole truth...'
0:50:30 > 0:50:32- (MARTIN LUTHER KING) - 'I still have a dream.'
0:50:33 > 0:50:38'It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42'I have a dream that one day...
0:50:43 > 0:50:48'..this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of...'
0:50:48 > 0:50:50'I'm going to teach my baby all this.'
0:50:50 > 0:50:54- (MARTIN LUTHER KING)- 'We hold these truths to be self-evident,
0:50:54 > 0:50:56'that all men are created equal.'
0:50:56 > 0:50:59- That's bullshit. - You mean, write a whole new one?
0:50:59 > 0:51:01No. Girl, if I need to explain myself to you...
0:51:01 > 0:51:05- (Joann)- You think I'm stupid? - Oh, my God!
0:51:05 > 0:51:07That I believe in you?
0:51:07 > 0:51:10That I think you're incredible?
0:51:10 > 0:51:12- (Joann) - Yes, but I don't know what to do.
0:51:12 > 0:51:13Pull it together.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16- OK, who's next? - 'I'm happy to be writing.'
0:51:16 > 0:51:19- Go ahead, Rhonda. - 'I'm happy to be in school too.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22'Ms Rain say we going to write every day in our notebook.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25'She going to write back to us every day too.'
0:51:25 > 0:51:26"Yesterday I went to church
0:51:26 > 0:51:29"for the first time since I come to this country.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33"I got to Brooklyn. The church was up de block and around de corner.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35"The preacher preached two and a 'alf hour..."
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Rhonda!
0:51:37 > 0:51:40"..and how Lord Jesus, Son o' God, Messiah, Jehovah deliver."
0:51:40 > 0:51:43Is that a fairy tale?
0:51:43 > 0:51:45(LAUGHS) Sit down.
0:51:45 > 0:51:49- Did anybody do this assignment? - 'Momma say this school ain't shit.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51'She say you can't learn nothin' writin' in no book.'
0:51:51 > 0:51:53This is a fairy tale called "Enchanted".
0:51:53 > 0:51:57'She wrong about that. I is learnin'.'
0:51:59 > 0:52:03"Once upon a time, in a faraway land,
0:52:03 > 0:52:07"there lived a beautiful princess named Joann-a."
0:52:07 > 0:52:10"She was very, very fly
0:52:10 > 0:52:12"and extra, extra tall,
0:52:12 > 0:52:16"and every single boy loved her, big and small.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20"Except for one idiot boy who was so stupid and dumb.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24"Out of all the cute boys who loved her, see, he was the cutest one."
0:52:25 > 0:52:28- That's all I got so far. - (RAIN) That's a good beginning.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32'Thinkin' about little Mongo, too. I miss her.'
0:52:32 > 0:52:36- That's how you start a fairy tale. - 'I'm happy my baby comin'.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41'I'm going to read to this baby, too, and hang colours on its wall.
0:52:41 > 0:52:47'Listen, baby, Mother not dumb. Mother love you. Listen.'
0:52:47 > 0:52:51"Once upon a time, there was a magical princess
0:52:51 > 0:52:54"who lived in a magical bubble under the sea.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56"And she was from land."
0:53:00 > 0:53:01(SCREAMS)
0:53:09 > 0:53:10(SUDDEN SILENCE)
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Stop screaming.
0:53:12 > 0:53:16(SCREAMS)
0:53:16 > 0:53:18(SOBS)
0:53:22 > 0:53:24(THUNDER)
0:53:25 > 0:53:27(BABY CRIES)
0:53:32 > 0:53:36'His name Abdul Jamal Lewis Jones.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40'He healthy. His mother love him.'
0:53:40 > 0:53:42(MARY J BLIGE) # The first sign of spring
0:53:44 > 0:53:47# The rosebuds are blooming
0:53:47 > 0:53:53# I got a new song, new song to sing, yeah... #
0:53:55 > 0:53:58'The food in this hospital's nasty.'
0:53:58 > 0:54:00- It's not from here. - Where it from?
0:54:00 > 0:54:04A little shop by my house where I get my organic food,
0:54:04 > 0:54:08so I don't have to eat that nasty mystery-meat stuff downstairs.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11Can you bring me something? Not fruit. McDonald's.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13First of all, I don't eat McDonald's.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17Second of all, you don't need to eat McDonald's either. It's not healthy.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19But I like McDonald's. We all do, right?
0:54:19 > 0:54:23- We like McDonald's, too, over here. - I don't like no damn McDonald's.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26I want some of that organic shit like you got.
0:54:26 > 0:54:27(LAUGHTER)
0:54:27 > 0:54:29Well, when you get outta here,
0:54:29 > 0:54:31go with your little friends to McDonald's,
0:54:31 > 0:54:34and get as much McDonald's as you want.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36But right now, you take care of your health.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41- Are you a doctor? Are you a doctor? - Am I a doctor?
0:54:41 > 0:54:43- Yeah. - I am a nurse's aide.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47- Nurse John-John. - Oh, that's funny?
0:54:47 > 0:54:49- (CONSUELO)- Well, you're a man. - You...
0:54:49 > 0:54:52- You've never seen a male nurse? - No.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55- (CONSUELO)- Not looking like you do! - (LAUGHTER)
0:54:55 > 0:54:59I am a male nurse. I am Nurse John McFadden.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02So was you up in the room when she popped the baby out?
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- You was in between...? - Joann, don't be nasty!
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- How was it? Was you screaming? - It hurt.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10- Tough gal like you? - Not so tough with a baby comin' out!
0:55:10 > 0:55:13It hurts! And it burns.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16Are you married? You got a girlfriend?
0:55:16 > 0:55:19- He don't want you! - How would you know?
0:55:19 > 0:55:22- Stop being a ho for ten minutes! - What's wrong with them?
0:55:22 > 0:55:23You don't want her, right?
0:55:23 > 0:55:26I wish I was a cantaloupe in that cup.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30- So he could eat you? - OK, no. I gotta go.
0:55:30 > 0:55:31I gotta go. (ALL PROTEST)
0:55:31 > 0:55:33No, that's all right.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38- (CONSUELO)- Hey, can I get a kiss, too, Nurse John?
0:55:38 > 0:55:42Good afternoon, ladies. Bye, Nurse John.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44- (ALL SAY GOODBYE) - Good night, Nurse John-John.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46(ALL EXCLAIM)
0:55:46 > 0:55:48(RHONDA) # Precious and John-John
0:55:48 > 0:55:50(ALL) # Sittin' in a tree
0:55:50 > 0:55:54- # F-U-C-K-I-N-G! # - Shut up! You nasty!
0:55:54 > 0:55:57Look at her leg cock up like so!
0:55:57 > 0:56:00(JOANN) You think he's spendin' the night up in here?
0:56:00 > 0:56:01(LAUGHS)
0:56:01 > 0:56:05Now she going to write about Nurse John in her book!
0:56:06 > 0:56:08'Dear Ms Rain,
0:56:08 > 0:56:11'all the years I sit in class, I never learned.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14'But now I got a baby again by my father.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18'I wish I had a boyfriend like other girls,
0:56:18 > 0:56:21'then I'll feel right that I have to quit school.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24'I love my baby, but I want school, too.
0:56:24 > 0:56:25'Social worker asked me
0:56:25 > 0:56:29'if I want to give little Mongo and Abdul up for adoption.
0:56:29 > 0:56:30'I could kill her.
0:56:30 > 0:56:35'She never helped before. Now she want to take my kids away?
0:56:35 > 0:56:38'If she take Abdul, I won't have nothing no more.'
0:56:38 > 0:56:40(RAIN) 'Dear Precious,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43'I think your first responsibility has to be to yourself.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45'If you keep Abdul, you might have nothing.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48'Your learning to read and write, that's everything.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52'Come back to school when you get out of hospital. You're only 17.'
0:56:52 > 0:56:55- This is like a big-ass condom! - (LAUGHS)
0:56:55 > 0:56:59- I can use that for Nurse John! - Not lookin' like that.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02- Your hair looks a mess. - I'm giving you banjee.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05Shut up. I got your journal.
0:57:05 > 0:57:06Thank you.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14- What's wrong? - Nothin'.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17- You sure? - Yeah, I'm sure.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20All right. I'm bored. I'm about to leave.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22Bye!
0:57:23 > 0:57:25Bye, Miss Toosie.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28- You got a nasty-ass mouth. - You got a nasty-ass hat!
0:57:30 > 0:57:33That's what's wrong. You hang out with bitches like that.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37Here's your baby. It's probably the last time you going to see him.
0:57:37 > 0:57:41'Grandmother visit and say only a dog would drop a baby and walk off.'
0:57:41 > 0:57:45- Not even a dog! - 'Say later, 'Not even a dog.'
0:57:45 > 0:57:49I'm proud of you. Ain't nothing like your mother.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52(RAIN) 'Where was your grandmother when your father was abusing you?
0:57:52 > 0:57:54'Where is little Mongo now?
0:57:54 > 0:57:57'What is the best thing for you in this situation?'
0:57:57 > 0:57:59'You ask too many questions.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02'Sometimes I wish I could stop breathing.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04'I just want to be a good mother.'
0:58:05 > 0:58:08'Being a good mother might mean letting Abdul be raised
0:58:08 > 0:58:12'by someone who's better able than you to meet his needs.'
0:58:12 > 0:58:16'Ms Rain, I is best to meet my child's needs.'
0:58:24 > 0:58:28'Who's going to help you? How will you support yourself?
0:58:29 > 0:58:32'How will you keep learning to read and write?
0:58:33 > 0:58:36'The welfare helped Momma.'
0:58:36 > 0:58:40'You look and see how much welfare has helped your mom.
0:58:42 > 0:58:44'If you get your GED and go to college,
0:58:44 > 0:58:46'you can do anything, Precious.'
1:00:05 > 1:00:07You're back?
1:00:07 > 1:00:10What's his name? Can I hold it?
1:00:34 > 1:00:36(PANTS)
1:01:01 > 1:01:03(VOICES ON TV)
1:01:11 > 1:01:13Hey, Precious.
1:01:16 > 1:01:18Hey.
1:01:21 > 1:01:23You had the baby?
1:01:23 > 1:01:24A boy.
1:01:26 > 1:01:28Where you been all this time?
1:01:34 > 1:01:36Let me see him.
1:01:43 > 1:01:44Can I hold him?
1:02:03 > 1:02:05He look like his daddy.
1:02:10 > 1:02:12He named Abdul.
1:02:12 > 1:02:16Put all this shit down and go get me something to drink.
1:02:34 > 1:02:36(BABY CRIES) You bitch!
1:02:36 > 1:02:38- You fuckin' bitch! - You crazy, Momma?
1:02:38 > 1:02:40Am I crazy? Bitch...
1:02:41 > 1:02:43You ruined my fuckin' life.
1:02:43 > 1:02:46You done took my man, had those fuckin' babies
1:02:46 > 1:02:47and got me put off welfare
1:02:47 > 1:02:50for runnin' your goddamned stupid-ass mouth!
1:02:50 > 1:02:54I ain't stupid and I didn't take your man! Your husband raped me!
1:02:54 > 1:02:57No-fuckin'-body rape you! Don't you put your hands on me!
1:03:01 > 1:03:02- (BABY CRIES) - Ow!
1:03:02 > 1:03:05- (SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS) - # Time to celebrate
1:03:05 > 1:03:08# Let's all come together
1:03:12 > 1:03:17# To share our hearts of love
1:03:17 > 1:03:20- (WOMAN NEXT DOOR) - Mary! Leave that girl alone!
1:03:23 > 1:03:27# Holiday love we spread
1:03:28 > 1:03:30(CRIES OUT)
1:03:30 > 1:03:34# We like to share it on special days
1:03:42 > 1:03:44# Christmas
1:03:44 > 1:03:47# The day that Jesus Christ was born
1:03:47 > 1:03:50# Soul holiday
1:03:54 > 1:03:56# Soul holiday
1:03:56 > 1:03:58Can I see the baby now?
1:03:58 > 1:04:01# Soul holiday
1:04:01 > 1:04:04# In celebration filled
1:04:04 > 1:04:06# With holiday cheer
1:04:06 > 1:04:11# Let's not forget why we're here
1:04:11 > 1:04:14# For there is a reason
1:04:14 > 1:04:17# For every season
1:04:17 > 1:04:22# We give our thanks to who we believe in
1:04:32 > 1:04:35(FAINT SOUND OF GOSPEL SINGING)
1:04:46 > 1:04:49# Soul holiday
1:04:50 > 1:04:54# Soul holiday
1:05:00 > 1:05:04# Soul holiday
1:05:10 > 1:05:13# Soul holiday
1:05:19 > 1:05:23# Soul holiday
1:05:24 > 1:05:26# In celebration filled
1:05:26 > 1:05:29# With holiday cheer
1:05:29 > 1:05:33# Let's not forget why we're here
1:05:34 > 1:05:39# For there is a reason for every season
1:05:39 > 1:05:42# We give our thanks to... #
1:06:04 > 1:06:08B, C, D,
1:06:08 > 1:06:12E, F, G, H,
1:06:12 > 1:06:16I, J, K,
1:06:16 > 1:06:19L, M, N...
1:06:22 > 1:06:24I'm tired of shopping.
1:06:24 > 1:06:27Yes, cos they all tryin' to take your money. They don't...
1:06:38 > 1:06:40I'm callin' the cops.
1:06:44 > 1:06:47Tell me what you see back there.
1:06:59 > 1:07:03'I could tell by Ms Rain's face I ain't going to be homeless no more.
1:07:03 > 1:07:05'I just don't know where I'm going to end up.
1:07:05 > 1:07:07(RAIN) I'll hold.
1:07:09 > 1:07:10'I feel bad for her.
1:07:10 > 1:07:14'She just a ABC teacher. She ain't no social worker.'
1:07:16 > 1:07:18- What's goin' on? - 'But she all I could think of.'
1:07:18 > 1:07:21When the others get here, tell them to start writing.
1:07:21 > 1:07:23Whoever is older is in charge.
1:07:23 > 1:07:26- Consuelo, I know that's not you. - Ms Rain, I can't stay.
1:07:26 > 1:07:29You're not leaving class and I'm not dealing with this right now.
1:07:29 > 1:07:32Take this money. Go get something for Precious to wear. Quick!
1:07:32 > 1:07:36And bring back my change. ..16 years old.
1:07:36 > 1:07:38A three-day-old infant.
1:07:38 > 1:07:40The baby not bleedin'. Must be Precious's blood.
1:07:40 > 1:07:42Why didn't you tell me that before?
1:07:44 > 1:07:46We'll find you a place to live.
1:07:49 > 1:07:54- Joann, you're late. - Rhonda, you ain't the teacher.
1:07:54 > 1:07:58Joann, Ms Rain is busy with Precious today, so I am the teacher today.
1:07:58 > 1:08:02- OK! Why? Where's Precious? - Just sit. Pull out your notebook.
1:08:02 > 1:08:04You want to say one of your raps to the baby?
1:08:04 > 1:08:07- What's the baby doing here? - Joann going to rap for you.
1:08:07 > 1:08:10- Let me see. - She all right. She doing good.
1:08:10 > 1:08:13(LAUGHS) Why is the baby wrapped up in a blood-covered blanket?
1:08:13 > 1:08:16- Joann, what's so funny? - What happened?
1:08:16 > 1:08:19- You don't want to know. - You know your problem, Joann?
1:08:19 > 1:08:23You can't take anything serious. Jermaine, me expect better from you.
1:08:23 > 1:08:25Joann, stop laughing at this baby!
1:08:25 > 1:08:27(BOTH LAUGH)
1:08:27 > 1:08:29Queens.
1:08:31 > 1:08:32Let me call you back.
1:08:32 > 1:08:35- Just tell me what happened. - No, it's not funny.
1:08:35 > 1:08:38There's nothing funny about a baby with blood on it.
1:08:38 > 1:08:41I got a West Indian friend who's a council member. Hold on.
1:08:41 > 1:08:44- (RHONDA)- I found a lesson plan in our notebooks.
1:08:44 > 1:08:46(LAUGHTER)
1:08:46 > 1:08:48(RAIN) Claireece Jones.
1:08:48 > 1:08:51Hey, Ms Lisa. How you been?
1:08:51 > 1:08:55I don't know. I went to see that movie, Barfly, last night.
1:08:55 > 1:08:57Piece of shit.
1:08:57 > 1:09:00- I'm sorry. - It's on my desk. Can you hold?
1:09:00 > 1:09:02Something's wrong with you, Precious.
1:09:02 > 1:09:04(JERMAINE) This baby stink.
1:09:04 > 1:09:06We don't have a Pamper, so sit with the baby.
1:09:06 > 1:09:09- I am sittin'! - In your seat, please.
1:09:09 > 1:09:17"The first thing is shut the bumba ros clot up."
1:09:17 > 1:09:19Ms Rain, why did you let Rhonda teach?
1:09:19 > 1:09:21She can't even speak English!
1:09:21 > 1:09:22Shh! Let Rhonda take over.
1:09:22 > 1:09:26- "Shut the bumba ros clot up." - What the fuck is a "ros clot"?
1:09:26 > 1:09:27(RAIN) Brenda, you there?
1:09:27 > 1:09:33The last four of the Social are 2-4-2-1.
1:09:33 > 1:09:36- Rita?- Anybody know how to spell "Aquarius"?
1:09:36 > 1:09:39- It's A-Q-U-A-R-I-U-S. - Can you spell "boy" then?
1:09:39 > 1:09:42- Can you spell "slut" then? - Let's explore that.
1:09:42 > 1:09:45You want to spell "slut", Consuelo? Here's the first letter.
1:09:45 > 1:09:47Can you spell "illegal immigrant"?
1:09:47 > 1:09:50Great, thank you.
1:09:54 > 1:09:56- "Consuelo is a slut." (CONSUELO)- You the ho!
1:09:56 > 1:10:00- "Joann is not a slut." - Perfect. You get a gold star.
1:10:00 > 1:10:02(JOANN LAUGHS)
1:10:02 > 1:10:05- (PRECIOUS) But she's like that. - (RAIN) Well, she's just insecure.
1:10:05 > 1:10:08- Do you think? - Yeah.
1:10:08 > 1:10:10- That chicken was good. - Really good. You had enough?
1:10:10 > 1:10:12Hm-hmm. There ain't more, is there?
1:10:12 > 1:10:14- Hmm? - Is there more?
1:10:14 > 1:10:16- Yeah! - Maybe later.
1:10:16 > 1:10:19Not now. I don't want you to think I'm greedy.
1:10:19 > 1:10:22You're not greedy. Have some more.
1:10:22 > 1:10:25I guess I kind of eat too much sometime, though.
1:10:25 > 1:10:26No, you don't.
1:10:26 > 1:10:28- Blu, is that you? - Not always.
1:10:28 > 1:10:32- What are you doing here? - I live here!
1:10:32 > 1:10:34- Why didn't you tell me? - Hey, sweetie!
1:10:34 > 1:10:36Is this...?
1:10:37 > 1:10:39This is Katherine, Precious.
1:10:39 > 1:10:42- Are you OK? - It's so nice to meet you finally!
1:10:42 > 1:10:46- 'Oh, my God! Straight-up lesbians!' - This is Abdul.
1:10:46 > 1:10:49He's gorgeous. He looks just like you.
1:10:49 > 1:10:52- Precious, can I hold him? - You know how to?
1:10:52 > 1:10:55'They still nice enough to let us stay in their home
1:10:55 > 1:10:58- 'until I get situated, though.' - He's heavy!
1:10:58 > 1:11:00Oh, my God, he's...
1:11:00 > 1:11:03'I guess this is how peoples on TV feel at Christmas time.'
1:11:03 > 1:11:06- Don't drop him. - (RAIN) I work with children!
1:11:06 > 1:11:09You know how you are. When we put up the tree, you dropped it.
1:11:09 > 1:11:10'They're so nice to me and Abdul.'
1:11:10 > 1:11:12Hold him with both hands.
1:11:12 > 1:11:14Oh, Abdul!
1:11:16 > 1:11:19Merry Christmas, Precious.
1:11:19 > 1:11:20Thank you.
1:11:20 > 1:11:22'Why peoples that barely know me
1:11:22 > 1:11:25'should be nicer to me than my mother and my father?
1:11:25 > 1:11:28'I felt warm.'
1:11:28 > 1:11:31I'm just concerned about the baby and the cats upstairs.
1:11:31 > 1:11:34- They're fine. - 'Grandmother's scared of Momma.
1:11:34 > 1:11:37'I know that's why she ain't lettin' me stay with her.'
1:11:37 > 1:11:39If Ronald McDonald ran things...
1:11:39 > 1:11:41'Ms Rain say don't be afraid of nothin'.'
1:11:41 > 1:11:45- ..the price of hamburgers... - 'I bet she ain't scared of Momma.'
1:11:45 > 1:11:48- Wouldn't you be a bit suspicious? - Just write the book.
1:11:48 > 1:11:51- Who's going to read it? - Nobody, if you don't write it.
1:11:51 > 1:11:55You know, Precious writes every day. You should try it.
1:11:55 > 1:11:57Is that right?
1:11:57 > 1:12:01- What do you write about, Precious? - Stuff.
1:12:01 > 1:12:04My life. Abdul.
1:12:05 > 1:12:08How come y'all don't like McDonald's?
1:12:08 > 1:12:10Katherine was drawing a comparison
1:12:10 > 1:12:13so that her point could be more easily understood.
1:12:13 > 1:12:15'They talk like TV channels I don't watch.'
1:12:15 > 1:12:17My Uncle Clayton.
1:12:17 > 1:12:21'I'm glad Abdul here to listen in on them, though, cos they smart.'
1:12:21 > 1:12:22Before he got saved,
1:12:22 > 1:12:24he used to smoke like a chimney and drink like a fish.
1:12:24 > 1:12:27'I don't understand a word they sayin'.'
1:12:27 > 1:12:28You understand?
1:12:31 > 1:12:34- Y'all be watching "Oprah"? - No. I don't, actually.
1:12:34 > 1:12:36- You know what time I get home. - I watch it.
1:12:36 > 1:12:40- 'Momma say homos is bad peoples.' - ..when she should be writing.
1:12:40 > 1:12:43'But, Momma, homos not ones who raped me. And what do that make you?'
1:12:43 > 1:12:45'Homos not the ones
1:12:45 > 1:12:48'who let me sit in class all them years and never learn nothin'.
1:12:48 > 1:12:51'Homos not ones who sell crack to peoples in Harlem.'
1:12:51 > 1:12:52..that I have ever seen. Tell her!
1:12:52 > 1:12:55'I wonder what Oprah got to say about that.
1:12:56 > 1:13:00'Ms Rain the one who put the chalk in my hand, made me queen of the ABCs.
1:13:03 > 1:13:05'After I settled at the halfway house,
1:13:05 > 1:13:07'I worked my hardest to memorise letter sounds,
1:13:07 > 1:13:10'writing the journal, reading smaller and fatter books.
1:13:10 > 1:13:13'Then I found out the mayor's office give me a literacy award
1:13:13 > 1:13:15'and a cheque for progress!'
1:13:15 > 1:13:19(DISCO MUSIC) One, two, three.
1:13:19 > 1:13:21'The party is on!'
1:13:21 > 1:13:23Go, Joann!
1:13:25 > 1:13:28Lemme see what you got!
1:13:28 > 1:13:29'Everybody come.
1:13:29 > 1:13:33'Nurse John, Cornrows, all the staff was out there.
1:13:33 > 1:13:35'Even Ms Katherine showed up.'
1:13:35 > 1:13:37Precious!
1:13:40 > 1:13:41Whassup?
1:13:41 > 1:13:43What's that?
1:13:44 > 1:13:47- What does it look like? - Plastic stupid apple.
1:13:50 > 1:13:52A little somethin' for you.
1:13:52 > 1:13:54- Is there more money in it? - You're so greedy!
1:13:54 > 1:13:56Yo, erm...
1:13:56 > 1:13:58Who that?
1:14:00 > 1:14:02What?
1:14:04 > 1:14:06- What? - Come on.
1:14:06 > 1:14:09Precious, where are you taking me?
1:14:10 > 1:14:14What am I supposed to do, diva? Yeah? Wait a minute. Hold on, girl.
1:14:14 > 1:14:15Yeah, Pre...?
1:14:19 > 1:14:22My mom called last night.
1:14:24 > 1:14:28And, er... we don't really have a relationship.
1:14:28 > 1:14:30We don't talk, because she has a problem with...
1:14:30 > 1:14:34'Some folks got a light around them that shine for other peoples.
1:14:34 > 1:14:37'I think maybe some of them was in tunnels,
1:14:37 > 1:14:39'and in that tunnel,
1:14:39 > 1:14:41'maybe the only light they had was inside of them.'
1:14:41 > 1:14:44Then I thought about how strong you've had to be.
1:14:47 > 1:14:51'And then, even long after they escaped that tunnel...'
1:14:52 > 1:14:55- I'll help you clean up. - OK.
1:14:55 > 1:14:58'..they still be shinin' for everybody else.
1:15:02 > 1:15:04'That's Ms Rain to me.'
1:15:07 > 1:15:09"Award for Outstanding Achievement."
1:15:09 > 1:15:12'In a book I read, this lady escaped to a halfway house,
1:15:12 > 1:15:13'and when she was there,
1:15:13 > 1:15:16'she asked the people there what a halfway house was.
1:15:16 > 1:15:20'They told her it was halfway between her old life and where she want to be.
1:15:20 > 1:15:22'That's kinda nice.
1:15:24 > 1:15:27'That also mean I can't stay here forever.
1:15:27 > 1:15:30'There's still a way to go.
1:15:30 > 1:15:34'It'd be somethin' to get my own apartment.
1:15:34 > 1:15:37'Abdul nine months and almost walkin'. He smart, too.
1:15:37 > 1:15:40'I've been readin' to him since the day he was born.
1:15:40 > 1:15:43'He barely talkin', but he already countin'.
1:15:44 > 1:15:47'Momma and Daddy,
1:15:47 > 1:15:51'IS 111, 444 Lenox all seem like some old bad dream.
1:15:53 > 1:15:57'I wish I coulda just started out here, but still wi' Abdul.
1:15:58 > 1:16:00'I'm going to get Mongo, too.
1:16:01 > 1:16:04'I got to get Mongo back.'
1:16:04 > 1:16:05Hey, Miss Cassidy.
1:16:05 > 1:16:07Precious, somebody downstairs for you.
1:16:07 > 1:16:11- Who is it?- I didn't ask. Shall I watch the baby?
1:16:11 > 1:16:14Nah, I got to go down and get him anyway.
1:16:46 > 1:16:48Your daddy dead.
1:16:50 > 1:16:51That's all?
1:16:56 > 1:16:58He had that AIDS virus.
1:16:58 > 1:17:00(CAMERAS CLICK)
1:17:02 > 1:17:05MUSIC: "Humpin' Around by Bobby Brown
1:17:13 > 1:17:16(Mary) There you go, dreamin' again. Do you hear me talkin'?
1:17:18 > 1:17:19You hear what I said?
1:17:24 > 1:17:26You got it?
1:17:26 > 1:17:29- Got what? - The AIDS virus.
1:17:29 > 1:17:32- No. - How do you know?
1:17:32 > 1:17:35We never did it up in the ass, so I know.
1:17:39 > 1:17:41You better get to a doctor, Ma.
1:17:44 > 1:17:46You comin' home?
1:18:02 > 1:18:04- (MAN)- Yo, Precious!
1:18:21 > 1:18:25Rita, what do I mean when I say the author describes
1:18:25 > 1:18:30her protagonist's circumstances as unrelenting?
1:18:30 > 1:18:32I don't know. I don't know.
1:18:34 > 1:18:38It's like, say, if... if Rita, she try to do somethin',
1:18:38 > 1:18:40and she go on and she go on and me, I try to stop her
1:18:40 > 1:18:44and she no stop, she keep on going on.
1:18:44 > 1:18:46Relentless. On.
1:18:50 > 1:18:53MUSIC: "System" by Patti Labelle
1:19:36 > 1:19:38I'll see you tonight. Bye.
1:20:25 > 1:20:27Come with me.
1:20:28 > 1:20:29Precious?
1:20:31 > 1:20:33Excuse me?
1:20:34 > 1:20:37Nurse say I'm HIV positive.
1:20:42 > 1:20:45I ain't got nothin' to write today.
1:20:47 > 1:20:49Is your baby OK?
1:20:49 > 1:20:51He all right.
1:20:51 > 1:20:53I just gotta stop breastfeeding him.
1:20:56 > 1:20:59Remember you once told me
1:20:59 > 1:21:02you never really got to tell your story?
1:21:03 > 1:21:05- Write. - Fuck you!
1:21:05 > 1:21:08You don't know nothin' what I been through!
1:21:09 > 1:21:12I ain't never had no boyfriend!
1:21:14 > 1:21:18My daddy said he going to marry me.
1:21:18 > 1:21:21How he going to do that? It would fuckin' be illegal!
1:21:23 > 1:21:24(SOBS)
1:21:36 > 1:21:38Write.
1:21:39 > 1:21:43I'm tired, Ms Rain.
1:21:43 > 1:21:46If not for yourself, then for the people who love you.
1:21:46 > 1:21:49- Nobody loves me. - People do love you, Precious.
1:21:50 > 1:21:53Please don't lie to me, Ms Rain.
1:21:53 > 1:21:57Love ain't done nothin' for me.
1:21:57 > 1:22:00Love beat me, raped me...
1:22:01 > 1:22:03..called me a animal,
1:22:03 > 1:22:06make me feel worthless,
1:22:06 > 1:22:08make me sick.
1:22:09 > 1:22:11That wasn't love, Precious.
1:22:14 > 1:22:16Your baby loves you.
1:22:18 > 1:22:20I love you.
1:22:27 > 1:22:28Write!
1:22:36 > 1:22:38What are you thinking?
1:22:41 > 1:22:45You never told me about... your relationship with your mother.
1:22:47 > 1:22:49I didn't, did I?
1:22:49 > 1:22:52Really, I'm here to help YOU.
1:22:52 > 1:22:56You can talk to me. This is a safe environment.
1:22:56 > 1:22:57You're right.
1:22:57 > 1:23:00We could talk about your daddy instead.
1:23:00 > 1:23:04We could talk about my mother, my father, my aunts
1:23:04 > 1:23:08or my sister or my brother, but none of it's going to help you.
1:23:08 > 1:23:10You don't even like me.
1:23:10 > 1:23:14Have we not been in this room together for, like, a year,
1:23:14 > 1:23:16discussing your life?
1:23:16 > 1:23:19Does that mean we like each other cos we discuss my life?
1:23:19 > 1:23:20I can't speak for you.
1:23:20 > 1:23:25I can only speak for me. And I do like you. I do.
1:23:25 > 1:23:28So, are you Italian or...? What colour are you, anyway?
1:23:28 > 1:23:30Are you some type of black or Spanish?
1:23:30 > 1:23:33What colour do you think I am?
1:23:34 > 1:23:38I'd like to know. What colour do you think I am?
1:23:38 > 1:23:41My throat is dry.
1:23:41 > 1:23:44- Your throat is dry? - It's really hot in here.
1:23:44 > 1:23:48It is kinda hot in here. I'm going to go get a soda.
1:23:48 > 1:23:52- What do you want? - Soda sounds fine.
1:23:52 > 1:23:53All right.
1:24:23 > 1:24:25Thank you.
1:24:25 > 1:24:27No problem.
1:24:30 > 1:24:33So, I have to talk to you about your mother.
1:24:33 > 1:24:35I don't know how you're going to feel about this,
1:24:35 > 1:24:38but she says she wants to see you
1:24:38 > 1:24:43and she wants to be reunited with you and her grandchildren
1:24:43 > 1:24:46and she wants to come and have a session here with you.
1:24:46 > 1:24:48What d'you tell her?
1:24:48 > 1:24:50I said I had to speak to you about it.
1:24:53 > 1:24:54It's up to you.
1:24:54 > 1:24:57I don't know. I never thought about it before.
1:24:58 > 1:25:01'Ms Weiss said in that file I got HIV.
1:25:01 > 1:25:04'She said I was supposed to die from it.
1:25:04 > 1:25:06'I ain't worried about dyin'.
1:25:06 > 1:25:11'Shit, I gotta worry 'bout how I'm supposed to raise these kids.'
1:25:11 > 1:25:16I was just writing, like, about... I want to open up this clinic
1:25:16 > 1:25:19about, like, mothers and their children.
1:25:19 > 1:25:22You know, just, if they sick or somethin' like that.
1:25:22 > 1:25:26I always wanted to do that, give back to the community,
1:25:26 > 1:25:29cos I know my mom would be proud of me if I did that,
1:25:29 > 1:25:30and my children, too.
1:25:30 > 1:25:34I want my children to be proud of their mother, you know?
1:25:35 > 1:25:39- That's always what I wanted to do. - That's good.- That's really nice.
1:25:42 > 1:25:45I don't really want to read the whole thing.
1:25:45 > 1:25:47I kind of just want to say what it's about.
1:25:49 > 1:25:50OK, well...
1:25:50 > 1:25:53The counsellors at Advancement House,...
1:25:53 > 1:25:56..they were quizzin' me about my mother and father.
1:25:56 > 1:25:58But it's not really about them.
1:25:58 > 1:26:00They're trying to get me to do workfare.
1:26:00 > 1:26:03- They want me to be a home attendant. - How do you know?
1:26:03 > 1:26:07Cos I stole my file and read it. All they want me to do is work.
1:26:07 > 1:26:10Now, I do want to work, but not for no welfare cheque.
1:26:10 > 1:26:11What sense does that make,
1:26:11 > 1:26:14for Precious to quit school before she got her GED
1:26:14 > 1:26:17and go work for some old white people somewhere?
1:26:17 > 1:26:20She ain't never going to be nothin' if she gets stuck in that shit.
1:26:20 > 1:26:24- Rhonda used to home attend. - She had to go out to Brighton Beach.
1:26:24 > 1:26:28Yeah, OK. Rhonda would be working there all day and night.
1:26:28 > 1:26:30She'd be on call, right?
1:26:30 > 1:26:34She made 6.37 a hour, but for only eight hours.
1:26:34 > 1:26:37That equal out to 50.96.
1:26:37 > 1:26:39But that's not a whole lotta money,
1:26:39 > 1:26:42especially cos she there for 24 hours.
1:26:42 > 1:26:46So... 50.96 divided by 24
1:26:46 > 1:26:50is 2.12 an hour. That's not a lotta money.
1:26:50 > 1:26:54She said that old bitch would ring a bell, a real-life, actual bell,
1:26:54 > 1:26:56when she wanted somethin' in the night.
1:26:56 > 1:26:59- You don't want to do that shit. - (JERMAINE) Is that true?
1:26:59 > 1:27:02Them home attendants be workin' like, six days a week.
1:27:02 > 1:27:06I'd only see Abdul on Sunday. Plus, I'd have to leave class.
1:27:06 > 1:27:09(RAIN) Well, that's not an option. You're not leaving class.
1:27:09 > 1:27:12I'm going to go to insect survivor meetings.
1:27:12 > 1:27:15It's "incest".
1:27:16 > 1:27:18- That ain't what I say? - No, you said "insect".
1:27:19 > 1:27:21What's the difference?
1:27:21 > 1:27:26One's where your family molests you, the other's like a roach or bugs.
1:27:28 > 1:27:30- So, you a scientist now? - I'm just saying!
1:27:30 > 1:27:33- (LAUGHTER) - No, that's cool. Thank you.
1:27:39 > 1:27:42'It was hard telling them strangers there what my father did.
1:27:42 > 1:27:44'Sometimes it felt good.
1:27:49 > 1:27:53'Last week, Ms Rain asked us to write down what we want to be like.
1:27:53 > 1:28:01'I wrote that... I'd be real skinny, with light skin and long hair.'
1:28:01 > 1:28:03Loretha Holloway?
1:28:04 > 1:28:07- Go on back there. - 'She said I'm beautiful like I am.'
1:28:07 > 1:28:10But there's no kids back there for me to play with.
1:28:10 > 1:28:12(BABIES CRY)
1:28:12 > 1:28:14Just sit there then.
1:28:14 > 1:28:17Going to talk to this lady before my shit gets cut off.
1:28:18 > 1:28:20'But somehow,
1:28:20 > 1:28:24'right now, and I don't know why, but...
1:28:25 > 1:28:27'..I think she right.'
1:28:33 > 1:28:35Here.
1:28:35 > 1:28:39(FOOTSTEPS)
1:28:43 > 1:28:44- (WOMAN)- Claireece Jones?
1:28:50 > 1:28:52'I think she right.'
1:28:57 > 1:28:59OK, Mrs Johnston, let's talk about the abuse.
1:28:59 > 1:29:01There wasn't no drugs in my house!
1:29:01 > 1:29:04I didn't play that. There wasn't no drugs in my house.
1:29:04 > 1:29:07Precious knew I would whup her ass if she bring drugs in my house.
1:29:07 > 1:29:09You know what I'm talking about.
1:29:09 > 1:29:15I'm referring to specific sexual and physical acts
1:29:15 > 1:29:18involving Precious.
1:29:18 > 1:29:20Why you ain't say that?
1:29:20 > 1:29:22Yes, that.
1:29:24 > 1:29:27- Well, wh-wh-what you want to know? - According to Precious's files,
1:29:27 > 1:29:32she has now had two children by your boyfriend,
1:29:32 > 1:29:36the late Carl Kenwood Jones, who was also her father.
1:29:38 > 1:29:39Hm-hmm.
1:29:42 > 1:29:44- Yeah. - This is accurate?
1:29:46 > 1:29:49- Yes, Ms Weiss. - I need to know why you're here.
1:29:49 > 1:29:51You've been calling this office
1:29:51 > 1:29:55saying you want to be reunited with Precious and your grandchild.
1:29:55 > 1:29:58Now, I really need to know what's gone on in that home.
1:29:58 > 1:30:02I understand we need to discuss it, but I'm just telling you.
1:30:02 > 1:30:04You said I've been callin' here
1:30:04 > 1:30:06and wantin' to see Precious and my grandson.
1:30:06 > 1:30:11You goddamn right I want to see 'em, because they belong to me, OK?
1:30:11 > 1:30:14Now, there was a time Precious had everything
1:30:14 > 1:30:15and I done told her that.
1:30:15 > 1:30:19And me and Carl, we loved Precious. And you need to know that.
1:30:19 > 1:30:22We loved Precious and we had dreams.
1:30:22 > 1:30:27Precious was born around the same time Ms West's son got killed.
1:30:27 > 1:30:31The summertime. She was born in the summertime.
1:30:31 > 1:30:33Remember? Remember that?
1:30:33 > 1:30:36I was born in November.
1:30:36 > 1:30:38November.
1:30:38 > 1:30:41Yeah, that's right.
1:30:42 > 1:30:44My Scorpio child.
1:30:46 > 1:30:51You know, Scorpios, they can...
1:30:51 > 1:30:53They can be tricky.
1:30:53 > 1:30:56And I'm not sayin'... I'm not sayin' that they lie.
1:30:56 > 1:30:58I'm not sayin' that.
1:30:58 > 1:31:00But you just gotta watch 'em.
1:31:03 > 1:31:08Can... Can we talk about the actual acts
1:31:08 > 1:31:13of physical and sexual abuse that occurred in your household?
1:31:13 > 1:31:18When it first began, where it happened and how did you respond?
1:31:24 > 1:31:26Precious was a little girl.
1:31:27 > 1:31:30Try and remember how old you think she was.
1:31:34 > 1:31:36She was three.
1:31:37 > 1:31:41And I had... been giving her the bottle...
1:31:43 > 1:31:45..and I was giving Carl the tittie
1:31:45 > 1:31:50because my milk hadn't dried up in my breasts.
1:31:50 > 1:31:55But not from her, but because Carl was... (CLEARS THROAT)
1:31:55 > 1:31:57Because Carl was suckin' on them
1:31:57 > 1:32:01and that's what kept my milk in my breasts.
1:32:03 > 1:32:06And I thought that that was for hygiene.
1:32:06 > 1:32:10I did what my mother told me
1:32:10 > 1:32:14that I was supposed to do with my child, so that's what I did.
1:32:14 > 1:32:17And you're sittin' up there tryin' to judge me...
1:32:17 > 1:32:19I'm not judging you, but you're asking me for money
1:32:19 > 1:32:22and asking to be reunited with your grandson.
1:32:22 > 1:32:24But I don't like you looking at me like that.
1:32:24 > 1:32:26You got this bitch lookin' at me
1:32:26 > 1:32:28like I'm some kind of fuckin' monster!
1:32:28 > 1:32:30We don't talk like this my office.
1:32:30 > 1:32:33I didn't want her suckin' behind him because that was nasty.
1:32:33 > 1:32:37And things that he was... It was just nasty, Ms Weiss.
1:32:39 > 1:32:40I... I...
1:32:42 > 1:32:44I had a man.
1:32:44 > 1:32:47And I have a child.
1:32:47 > 1:32:50And I had to take care of both of 'em.
1:32:50 > 1:32:52OK?
1:32:52 > 1:32:54Did I want Carl...
1:32:56 > 1:32:58..to touch my baby?
1:32:59 > 1:33:01Because I would lay my baby...
1:33:01 > 1:33:07I would lay her on the side of me, on this pillow.
1:33:07 > 1:33:10And it was pink,
1:33:10 > 1:33:15and it had this little white writin' on it and it had her name...
1:33:16 > 1:33:18..cos she was precious.
1:33:18 > 1:33:21And I would lay my baby on that pillow
1:33:21 > 1:33:25and Carl would be layin' on the other side.
1:33:25 > 1:33:29And then we would... we would, er... start doing it
1:33:29 > 1:33:31and he reached over...
1:33:33 > 1:33:35..and he touched my baby.
1:33:35 > 1:33:37And I asked him,
1:33:37 > 1:33:40I said, "Carl, what are you doing?"
1:33:40 > 1:33:44And he told me to shut... to shut my fat ass up,
1:33:44 > 1:33:46- and it was good for her. - What did you do then?
1:33:46 > 1:33:48I shut my fat ass up.
1:33:49 > 1:33:52And I don't want you to sit there and judge me, Ms Weiss.
1:33:52 > 1:33:56- You let him abuse your daughter? - I did not want him to abuse her!
1:33:56 > 1:33:59- But you allowed him to hurt her. - I didn't want him to do it to her!
1:33:59 > 1:34:02I wanted him to make love to me. That was my man.
1:34:02 > 1:34:04That was my fuckin' man.
1:34:04 > 1:34:08That was my man and he wanted my daughter.
1:34:08 > 1:34:11And that's why I hated her!
1:34:11 > 1:34:14Because my man, who was supposed to be lovin' me,
1:34:14 > 1:34:17who was supposed to be makin' love to me
1:34:17 > 1:34:21was fuckin' my baby, and she made him leave!
1:34:21 > 1:34:23She made him go away.
1:34:23 > 1:34:26- So whose fault was it? - It's this bitch's fault
1:34:26 > 1:34:29because she let my man have her and she didn't say nothin'.
1:34:29 > 1:34:31She didn't scream, she didn't do nothin'!
1:34:31 > 1:34:35So those things that she told you I did to her,
1:34:35 > 1:34:38who... who... who else was going to love me?
1:34:40 > 1:34:44Hmm? Since you got your degree and you know every-fuckin'-thing,
1:34:44 > 1:34:48who was going to love me? Who was going to make me feel good?
1:34:48 > 1:34:52Who was going to touch me and make me feel good late at night?
1:34:52 > 1:34:54And she made him go away,
1:34:54 > 1:34:58so when you sit there and you write them fuckin' notes on your pad
1:34:58 > 1:35:04about who you think I am and why I did it and all of that...
1:35:04 > 1:35:06Because I didn't have nobody.
1:35:13 > 1:35:14The, erm...
1:35:14 > 1:35:17The people...
1:35:17 > 1:35:22..from... Each One Teach One,
1:35:22 > 1:35:24they had, erm...
1:35:24 > 1:35:25They called me and...
1:35:27 > 1:35:30..they told me that my baby was writing poems.
1:35:30 > 1:35:33In fact, you know what? I got... Wait a minute.
1:35:41 > 1:35:43(CHILD CRIES)
1:35:58 > 1:35:59I'm sorry.
1:36:00 > 1:36:04I'm sorry. And, Ms Weiss, I don't want no cheques.
1:36:04 > 1:36:08I don't need no more money. Please. I... I'm so sorry.
1:36:09 > 1:36:11I took that TABE test again.
1:36:12 > 1:36:15- And what happened? - I scored a 7.8.
1:36:16 > 1:36:19Last time it was 2.8.
1:36:20 > 1:36:22According to that test,
1:36:22 > 1:36:25I'm reading at a seventh- and eighth-grade level.
1:36:26 > 1:36:29Next year, high school. After that, college.
1:36:35 > 1:36:37Well, I like you, too.
1:36:39 > 1:36:41But you can't handle me.
1:36:43 > 1:36:45You can't handle none of this.
1:36:52 > 1:36:56You know, I never knew what you was until this day.
1:36:56 > 1:36:59Not even after all them things you did.
1:37:00 > 1:37:04Maybe I was too stupid, or maybe I just didn't want to.
1:37:05 > 1:37:07You ain't going to see me no more.
1:37:11 > 1:37:12- (MONGO)- Bye!
1:37:16 > 1:37:18I didn't want him to hurt my baby.
1:37:18 > 1:37:21Please, God, I didn't want him to hurt my baby.
1:37:21 > 1:37:23Ms Weiss, I didn't want him to hurt my baby.
1:37:23 > 1:37:25I would say to him, I would say...
1:37:25 > 1:37:29"Carl, what you doin'? What you doin'? What you doin'?"
1:37:30 > 1:37:31Uh-uh! Uh-uh!
1:37:33 > 1:37:35Uh-uh!
1:37:37 > 1:37:41Can you go get her back? You can do that, because that's what you do.
1:37:41 > 1:37:43That's what you do.
1:37:43 > 1:37:47I need you to go and I need you to get my baby back.
1:37:47 > 1:37:49You told me I could come in here
1:37:49 > 1:37:52and you could get... you could get Precious to say...
1:37:52 > 1:37:55Ms Weiss? Ms Weiss? Ms Weiss?
1:37:55 > 1:38:00- (LABELLE)- # It took a long time
1:38:00 > 1:38:04# To find this place
1:38:05 > 1:38:11# It took a long time to see happy
1:38:13 > 1:38:17# It took a long time
1:38:17 > 1:38:21# To recognise your face
1:38:23 > 1:38:29# It took a long time running around
1:38:29 > 1:38:37# It took a long time to find this place
1:38:37 > 1:38:43# It took a long time to see happy
1:38:44 > 1:38:52# It took a long time to recognise your face
1:38:52 > 1:38:58# It took a long time running around
1:39:00 > 1:39:03# Nothing good comes easy
1:39:04 > 1:39:07# Nothing makes it fast
1:39:08 > 1:39:14# No-one ever made love but not to last
1:39:15 > 1:39:23# So it took so many, many years to meet
1:39:23 > 1:39:29# Till we came together I was incomplete
1:39:29 > 1:39:30# Yes, I was!
1:39:30 > 1:39:36# Took a long time, took a long time took a long time
1:39:37 > 1:39:43# Took a long time, took a long time, took a long time
1:39:44 > 1:39:52# It took a long time to find this place
1:39:52 > 1:39:58# It took a long time to see happy
1:40:00 > 1:40:04# You're the place I worship
1:40:04 > 1:40:07# You're the place I'll stay
1:40:07 > 1:40:14# Wherever you are going I'm going to go your way
1:40:14 > 1:40:21# It took a long time to find this place
1:40:21 > 1:40:27# It took a long time to see happy
1:40:29 > 1:40:34# It took a long time to recognise your face... #