Library encores south L.A. Spelling Bee movie
JULIE CHAUTIN Contributing Writer

School is over for the summer which makes it fun to watch another kid study and know you do not have to, especially when it is spelling. This week we are showing an encore presentation of the movie that asks what would happen if a poor black girl from South L.A. tried out for the National Spelling Bee. The library will show it at 6 pm on Thursday. It is rated PG.

Keke Palmer plays elevenyear old Akeelah Anderson in this 2006 film which was produced by the acclaimed actor, Laurence Fishburne. He also stars as a college English professor, Dr. Larabee who is friends with the school principal where Akeelah goes.

She is very bright but like many students she is not quite sure that is a good thing.. She does not want to stand out as smart or even worse, a geek.. In fact, in her lower income school, some kids hassle the smart ones or demand they do their homework under threat of physical violence.

But schools are under pressure to perform and her principal will not leave Akeelah alone. Especially when he has found that she has been skipping school. Her punishment? She has to take part in the school-sponsored spelling bee.

Of course she wins but now she has to go to the regional contest. Dr. Larabee will tutor her but he sets some tough rules such as arriving on time and using correct grammar Akeelah is not sure she needs his help.

And like so many kids, her home life adds layers to her difficulties. Her father had died not too far in the past, her mom works long hours, and her brother is running with the wrong crowd.

Even though she is young, Keke Palmer is the star and not only becomes Akeelah, but is not intimidated by such heavyweights as Laurence Fishburne.

The extremely capable, Yaletrained Angela Bassett plays her mother. She is not unlike many single mothers, overworked, concerned about the ability of her kids to grow up without problems, and too busy to meet all their needs.

And most interesting is that even thought this story is about a black girl, the writer and director, Doug Atchison, is a white guy. He went to the USC film school in South L.A. so he knew the neighborhood. He also tutored kids at a center for low income kids, so he learned first hand what they were up against.

Then one fateful day he was switching channels and came upon ESPN televising the finals of the National Spelling Bee. There was drama in every second of those finals and he knew it would make a great story.

Call the library at 837-2417 for the name of the film.