USA, 2003, Color, 19 minutes

All rights available

Logline

A haunting visual blues song about an African-American beauty who finds her soul on stage at a nearby juke joint.

Synopsis

Set in the rural early 20^th century South, Rose, an African-American beauty, has achieved her lifelong goal of an easy life of luxury and riches, but at a price -- a husband who is rarely home. Yearning for attention, Rose frequently fills the void singing at a nearby juke joint. Eventually, Rose finds the strength to give up the luxury and riches for a more fulfilling life. Unfortunately it’s a lesson she learns too late.

Featuring original songs and score by local musician John Bigham, A Single Rose is inspired by true events surrounding Hanelle Culpepper’s great grandmother Ella and her adopted sister Rose. Their story is eloquently told in the book Miss Ella by Hanelle’s father, Terry F. Culpepper. This fascinating parable of two sisters whose intertwining lives lead to tragedy has been captured in Hanelle’s feature script Miss Ella.