Meet Stephanie Penn-Danforth

As Gina Prince-Blythwood brings The Secret Lives of Bees to life she avoids stereotyping and presents a wonderful coming of age story that touches on issues of race and life lessons.  This adaptation of the novel written by Sue Monk Kidd takes place in the South during 1960's.  With an allstar cast that includes Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okenado and Dakota Fanning, the characters are brought to life and you really connect with each of them.  Okenado is transformed into a childlike character that instantly connects with Fanning's character.  Keys is wonderful as a tough on the outside, soft on the inside character.  Hudson holds her own in this display of her talent and Queen Latifah's character brings a special warmth and understanding to the movie.  Overall this film displays many human elements making this film a pleassure to view.  There are times that you will laugh, cry and become infuriated and that's because the cast does a great job of bringing these characters to life.

For more information, visit www.foxsearchlight.com/thesecretlifeofbees