Woman Thou Art Loosed
Encyclopedia
Woman Thou Art Loosed is a 2004 film directed by Michael Schultz
and written by Stan Foster. It was produced by Stan Foster and Reuben Cannon. It is the 44th film or series directed by Schultz and is adopted from the self-help novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The film tells the story of a young woman who must come to terms with a long history of sexual abuse
, drug addiction, and poverty
. It has been reported that the story was loosely based on the screenwriter's past relationship with a college girlfriend. A gospel stage play preceded the film. It was directed by Tyler Perry and written by Terry McFaddin.
), goes after man after man, neglecting her child who has never met her father. Searching for love in all the wrong places, Cassy finds a man named Reggie (Clifton Powell
), who seems to be the right man in Michelle and Cassy's life. But 4 short years later Michelle, who is now 12, is raped and sexually abused by Reggie. Years later, Michelle (Kimberly Elise
) , who is now all grown up, is left with bitterness in her heart and leaves home wanting to get away from all of her past memories. Being lead astray, Michelle leads a life of stripping, prostitution, and drugs. But when Michelle goes to jail everything changes and she leaves realizing she has to make a change in her life. On her way to beginning that new life, she runs into a old childhood friend named Todd (Michael Boatman
), who gives her a ride to the halfway house where she will be living with a friend, Nicole (Idalis DeLeon
) , who will help her to get her life back on track. But on her way to starting her life over, she runs into some familiar road blocks like Reggie, her mother, and Pervis (Sean Blakemore
) ,her ex-pimp and drug supplier. But as she begins to spiral backwards again, she is invited to a revival and people like Bishop T.D. Jakes(himself),her godmother Twana (Debbie Morgan) , her friend Nicole, and Todd try to help her maintain herself along the right path. Can Michelle give in and forgive the man who molested and raped her or will she give out and go back to a life of hate and unforgiveness?
for Best Lead Female and Best Supporting Female, respectively.
Woman Thou Art Loosed was also awarded at the American Black Film Festival
for Best Film.
Michael Schultz
Michael Schultz is an American director and producer of film and television.-Life and career:Schultz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Katherine Frances , a factory worker, and Leo Schultz, an insurance salesman...
and written by Stan Foster. It was produced by Stan Foster and Reuben Cannon. It is the 44th film or series directed by Schultz and is adopted from the self-help novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The film tells the story of a young woman who must come to terms with a long history of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
, drug addiction, and poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
. It has been reported that the story was loosely based on the screenwriter's past relationship with a college girlfriend. A gospel stage play preceded the film. It was directed by Tyler Perry and written by Terry McFaddin.
Plot
Michelle Jordan (Jordan Mosley) is a young entergetic 8 year old girl whose mother, Cassy Jordan (Loretta DevineLoretta Devine
Loretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
), goes after man after man, neglecting her child who has never met her father. Searching for love in all the wrong places, Cassy finds a man named Reggie (Clifton Powell
Clifton Powell
-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
), who seems to be the right man in Michelle and Cassy's life. But 4 short years later Michelle, who is now 12, is raped and sexually abused by Reggie. Years later, Michelle (Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role in the films Set It Off, Beloved, John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and For Colored Girls...
) , who is now all grown up, is left with bitterness in her heart and leaves home wanting to get away from all of her past memories. Being lead astray, Michelle leads a life of stripping, prostitution, and drugs. But when Michelle goes to jail everything changes and she leaves realizing she has to make a change in her life. On her way to beginning that new life, she runs into a old childhood friend named Todd (Michael Boatman
Michael Boatman
Michael Patrick Boatman is an Image Award-nominated American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the ABC drama series China Beach, as New York City mayoral aide Carter Heywood in the ABC sitcom Spin City, and as sports agent Stanley Babson in...
), who gives her a ride to the halfway house where she will be living with a friend, Nicole (Idalis DeLeon
Idalis DeLeon
Idalis DeLeón is an American actress, singer, and television host.-Biography:DeLeón, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, first began her career as a member of the girl group Seduction who scored a top ten hit "Two to Make it Right" in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, she was a MTV VJ...
) , who will help her to get her life back on track. But on her way to starting her life over, she runs into some familiar road blocks like Reggie, her mother, and Pervis (Sean Blakemore
Sean Blakemore
Sean Blakemore is an African American actor who is currently portraying Shawn Butler on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital, a role he began playing on January 21, 2011 on a recurring basis...
) ,her ex-pimp and drug supplier. But as she begins to spiral backwards again, she is invited to a revival and people like Bishop T.D. Jakes(himself),her godmother Twana (Debbie Morgan) , her friend Nicole, and Todd try to help her maintain herself along the right path. Can Michelle give in and forgive the man who molested and raped her or will she give out and go back to a life of hate and unforgiveness?
Cast
- Kimberly EliseKimberly EliseKimberly Elise is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role in the films Set It Off, Beloved, John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and For Colored Girls...
as Michelle Jordan - Loretta DevineLoretta DevineLoretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
as Cassey Jordan - Debbie Morgan as Twana
- Michael BoatmanMichael BoatmanMichael Patrick Boatman is an Image Award-nominated American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the ABC drama series China Beach, as New York City mayoral aide Carter Heywood in the ABC sitcom Spin City, and as sports agent Stanley Babson in...
as Todd - Clifton PowellClifton Powell-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
as Reggie - Idalis DeLeonIdalis DeLeonIdalis DeLeón is an American actress, singer, and television host.-Biography:DeLeón, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, first began her career as a member of the girl group Seduction who scored a top ten hit "Two to Make it Right" in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, she was a MTV VJ...
as Nicole - T.D. Jakes as Himself
- Sean BlakemoreSean BlakemoreSean Blakemore is an African American actor who is currently portraying Shawn Butler on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital, a role he began playing on January 21, 2011 on a recurring basis...
as Pervis - Jordan Moseley as Michelle as age 12 and 8
- Philip Bolden as Todd at age 8
Awards
The film was nominated for two Image Awards only won the award for Outstanding Independent or Foreign film; Elise and Devine also received nominations at the Independent Spirit AwardsIndependent Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
for Best Lead Female and Best Supporting Female, respectively.
Woman Thou Art Loosed was also awarded at the American Black Film Festival
American Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival is an independent film festival that focuses primarily on works by Black members of the film industry. It has been called “the nation’s most prominent film festival.” The festival is held annually and features full-length narratives, short films, mobile...
for Best Film.