Miss Juneteenth

"…nuanced and authentic performances…"

"This is an, at times, beautifully well written and performed film, from an America we don't hear enough from. Go and have a look. You won't regret it."

"Channing Godfrey Peoples' first feature is a flavorful if sometimes too-laid-back slice of African America life in small-town Texas."

"Channing Godfrey Peoples' slice-of-life drama benefits mightily from Nicole Beharie and Alexis Chikaeze's winning performances."

"Peoples' screenplay ably channels the sleepy rhythms of small-town life and the obstacles in Turquoise's path whenever unplanned-for expenses arise."

"The film moves at the unhurried pace of a hot Texas afternoon; it may be too slow for some. But Peoples creates such a rich and specific environment, and cinematographer Daniel Patterson bathes it in such warm, gorgeous light, that more impatient viewers should just chill out and savor the slice of life."

"Cinematographer Daniel Patterson makes us feel the steam of humid Texas nights, but he also has an eye for the unexpected, romantic moments in Turq’s life: the moody pink-and-blue lighting during an after-hours slow dance, the glow of birthday candles in a darkened kitchen or the unvarnished warmth of mother and daughter sitting side-by-side outside the decaying restaurant."

"Behari and Chikaeze work together beautifully to show a mother-daughter bond that still allows each woman her self-determination. The climatic pageant scenes, accompanied by a parade and streamers, come down to who these women are."

"Miss Juneteenth’s brilliance is in its subtlety. It’s a simple story about what is truly important in life and, like its title, parallels our slavery to life itself."