A Family Gathering
FAMILY YOUNG ADULT BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA EPIC COMING OF AGE
20th Century (multiple decades)
Gene Cartwright
Logline
"I have not been so moved by a book, since reading Alex's [Haley] book. When the film is made, I’m laying claim to the role of Aunt Rose.” — Ms. Cicely Tyson, Oscar-winning actress & film icon. It was 1974— the South. She was 12, the daughter of a poor Baptist minister; he was 16, only son of Arkansas’s wealthiest family, and future U.S. Senate candidate. What happened deep in a wooded area off Crispus Attucks road, on May 15, 1974, changed Deborah Yvonne Davis’ life forever. Jonathan Reed’s was unaffected, until the passing of 14 years of Deborah’s exile in Chicago, a vicious murder, a callous display of arrogance and power, an unexpected visitor and ‘A Family Gathering.’
Genre
Family, Young Adult, Biographical, Drama, Epic,Coming of age
Short Summary
Epic story spanning 14 years: A 12 year-old southern black girl, pregnant by the son of one of Arkansas' wealthiest families, is exiled to a Chicago aunt, abandoned, and her baby later taken by her estranged family. Fourteen years later, she returns, unannounced, to reclaim her life.
Setting
Little Rock, Chicago
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Happy Ending, Meaningful Message, Twist,Tragedy to Triumph
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity, Sexual Abuse
Main Character Details
Name: Deborah Yvonne Davis
Age: 12
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Beautiful, Educated, Honorable, Gracious, Strong Moral Code, Aspiring, Charming, Confident, Empathetic, Engaging
Additional Character Details
Name: Jonathan Reed
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive, Insecure, Manipulative, Narcissistic, Unapologetic, Villainous
Additional Character Details
Name: Revered Henry Bertram Davis
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Masculine, Outspoken, Unapologetic, Complex, Decisive, Leader, Religious, Strong Moral Code, Aggressive, Educated, Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Gram d' Lena
Age: 70
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Engaging, Funny, Gracious, Romantic, Strong Moral Code, Charming, Decisive, Empathetic, Religious, Beautiful, Faithful, Honorable