Imitation of Life

The story of the relationships between a star (Lana Turner), her maid (Juanita Moore), and their daughters is one of Douglas Sirk’s most impressive late Hollywood melodramas. With Imitation of Life, the director revealed that he was once again ready to tackle social issues through the form of the ‘Woman’s picture’ or ‘weepie’.  

Here, Sirk re-imagines John Stahl’s 1934 adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s novel for a contemporary audience, bringing to the fore questions of race and identity. If Sirk’s luscious, carefully created world were not enough, the film also contains a memorable sequence showcasing singer Mahalia Jackson.