The Legend of Black Annie is a 2012 independent film that tells the story of a young African American girl named Annie who grows up to be a piano virtuoso. However, her success comes at a great cost as she experiences trauma and tragedy throughout her life. The film begins with a young Annie living on a plantation in the 1800s, where she is taken from her mother and forced to work as a house slave. Despite the harsh conditions, Annie loves music and is taught to play the piano by her master's wife. She quickly becomes a skilled musician and catches the attention of a white man who offers to take her away from the plantation and make her a star.
Annie reluctantly agrees to leave with the man, but soon discovers that he only wants to exploit her talent for his own financial gain. This leads to a series of traumatic events that leave Annie deeply traumatized and struggling to cope with her newfound fame.
As the years go on, Annie's success continues to grow, but she becomes increasingly isolated and detached from those around her. She turns to alcohol and drugs to numb her pain, but ultimately finds solace in the music that has always been her true passion.
The Legend of Black Annie is a powerful exploration of the intersection of race, gender, and fame in America. It shines a light on the often unseen traumas that come with success, particularly for women of color.
The film is anchored by a stunning performance from Terrence Flack as the adult Annie. He brings a raw vulnerability and emotional depth to the character that is truly captivating. Shane Woodson and Christy Oldham also deliver strong supporting performances as Annie's exploitative manager and kind-hearted mentor, respectively.
Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. The lush, evocative cinematography captures the beauty and brutality of life in the South during the 1800s, while the surreal music sequences add an otherworldly quality to the film that is both haunting and mesmerizing.
Overall, The Legend of Black Annie is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that deserves to be seen by a wider audience. It offers a nuanced and complex portrait of a woman who struggles with the pressures and pitfalls of fame, while also grappling with the legacy of slavery and racism in America.
The Legend of Black Annie is a 2015 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.