“Eve’s Bayou” is a 1997 American Southern Gothic drama film that marked the directorial debut of Kasi Lemmons, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is set in a prosperous Creole-American community in Louisiana during the 1960s and revolves around the Batiste family, particularly the young Eve Batiste, played by Jurnee Smollett.

The story unfolds as Eve, after witnessing her father, Louis Batiste (Samuel L. Jackson), in a compromising situation, grapples with the complexities of her family’s secrets and lies. The film delves into themes of memory, perception, and the mystical, with Eve often seeking guidance from her Aunt Mozelle, portrayed by Debbi Morgan, who is a Hoodoo practitioner known as “The Black Widow.”

“Eve’s Bayou” was well-received for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances, and exploration of the African American experience in the South. It was a commercial success and, in 2018, was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. A director’s cut of the film was later released, providing a deeper insight into Lemmons’ vision.

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