Dark Women

A Duke Media and Urban Winter Entertainment presentation of the DarkGirls production. Created by Bill Duke, D. Channsin Berry. Executive producers, Duke, Berry. Co-producer, Bradinn French. Directed, compiled by Bill Duke, D. Channsin Berry.With: Cheryl Grills, Tifase Webb, Soren Baker, Ronald Boutelle, Michael Colyar, Benson Cooke, Viola Davis, Tim Foley, Lynne Herod-DeVerges, Douglas Kearney, Daryl Rowe, Matthew Shinoda, Emily Yang.More self-esteem booster than sociological study, "Dark Women" combats the side effects of "colorism" inside the black community -- discrimination by which women using the pitch-dark skin are created to feel less beautiful or desirable than their light-skinned alternatives. The truth that such prejudice reps a largely black-on-black phenom demands education and therapy, each of which this disjointed docu-essay tries to deliver. Mixing contradictory guy-on-the-street interviews with soundbites from psychiatrists and academics, "Dark Women" frames the issue but fails to take part in a compelling way. As a result, theatrical exposure is going to be minimal, with classes and tv becoming far more likely shops. For co-company directors Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, who spent years collecting the testimony that seems onscreen, the thing would be to offer a dialogue starter, one which transmits an unconditional "black is beautiful" message. To be able to sway audiences, however, they require a hook: A central character would help (as with "America the gorgeousInch), or possibly a charming host (as with "Good Hair"). Rather, pic juggles a lot of speaking heads, supported by generic, YouTube-grade B-roll. The children particularly are heartbreaking and deserved more screentime compared to stars questioned.Camera (color/B&W, DV), Johnny Simmons, Carl Bartels, Mark Cohen, Lawrence Dennis, Colin Battiste editors, Bradinn French, Steven Hall music, Kurt Farquhar. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Real to Reel), Sept. 15, 2011. Running time: 75 MIN. Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com