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Is 'Origin' Streaming on Netflix or HBO Max?
Attention film lovers: There is a very good, very buzzy Ava DuVernay-acquired film, Jezebel, now streaming on Netflix.
From writer/director Numa Perrier in her feature debut, Jezebel stars Tiffany Tenille as Tiffany, a 19-year-old girl who turns to online sex work after her mother’s death leaves her and her sister struggling financially. The story is a semi-autobiographical one based on Perrier’s childhood, and so takes place in the ’90s, when the concept of an “internet cam girl” was still brand new. Tiffany adopts the alter-ego, Jezebel, and soon becomes popular. As the only black model at the website where she works, she navigates the tricky intersections of race, sexuality, and empowerment that come with financial and sexual freedom.
A little more about Perrier, for those who don’t know: She was born in Haiti, raised in Washington state, and did indeed work in Las Vegas as an internet cam girl, which eventually led to a career in visual art and filmmaking. Last year, she directed an episode of DuVernay’s critically-acclaimed OWN series, Queen Sugar. You may also know her from her acting career, most notably her role as Elsie on the shortlived Showtimes series SMILF.
Jezebel premiered at South by Southwest last year to universally positive reviews (it currently sits at 100 percent on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes). The Hollywood Reporter called it “an auspicious debut for its director/screenwriter who also plays a supporting role.” In fact, the response at South by South West was so positive, that after three sold-out screenings, a fourth screening was added. It’s no wonder that the film grabbed the attention of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who has been promoting the film on her social media all week.
Last month, DuVernay’s independent film distribution company, ARRAY, acquired Jezebel, and now is releasing the film both in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles (check your local listings!) and on Netflix. That’s great news for movie lovers who weren’t so lucky to attend South by Southwest, or don’t live in New York or Los Angeles. And here’s the thing: It’s only 88 minutes long. You have 88 minutes to spare for a personal, moving, and acclaimed film from a first-time filmmaker that’s only a click away, don’t you?
