Shubhabrata Dutta
‘Give Me Back My Daughter’ offers a poignant exploration of a mother-daughter dynamic. The movie follows Renee, a single mother who finds herself in a tight spot after losing her job due to downsizing. The inability to pay her rent leads to her being forced to move out with her young daughter, Imani. Their car becomes their new home, and despite the tough situation, the girls provide each other with much-needed company and emotional support.
Then, one day, while Renee is away for an interview, the cops find Imani alone inside the car. Sure enough, she is taken by Child Protective Services. Not willing to lose the tether that connects her to her life, she does all in her power to get back Imani’s custody, a fight that is overwhelming and will require help, much to her independent self’s reluctance. Helmed by Kelley Kali, ‘Give Me Back My Daughter’ is a gritty and emotional drama that showcases how a mother takes on a society that is either bent on keeping her away from her child or doesn’t care at all. While the plot carries emotional weight, it is fueled by the various settings we find Renee in, all of which contribute to the film’s world-building. “The system,” as they say, plays a significant role and the locations used adhere to that, whether it be for Renee or against her.
Where Was Give Me Back My Daughter Filmed?
As is often the case with Lifetime production, the production of ‘Give Me Back My Daughter’ took place in Atlanta, Georgia. Shooting commenced in December 2024 and likely wrapped up the same month. With its versatile backdrops, the Hollywood of the South provided the crew with different kids indoor and outdoor locales that were used to uplift the scenes. The availability of resources further ensured that there were no delays in filming.
Atlanta, Georgia
The cast and crew made good use of locations all around Atlanta to showcase Renee’s struggle with her unfortunate situation. The camera follows her through multiple settings as she meets different people, looks for jobs, and then fights to get back Imani’s custody. Furthermore, Atlanta offers tax incentives, affordable production costs, infrastructure, diverse locations, and a moderate climate, all of which make it an apt location for various types of production. All of this, coupled with the assistance of the locals, seemingly allowed the crew to make full use of the locales and deck them according to the requirements of the storyline. The city has also served as the primary filming location for many Lifetime projects, like ‘My Fatal Social Following,’ ‘Wife Stalker,’ and the ‘Single Black Female’ trilogy.
Talking about the movie and how the filming coincides with her new phase of life as a mother of two little daughters, Gabourey Sidibe stated how painful staying away from kids can be for a mother, especially a new mom. The distance takes an emotional toll, something that affected her and perhaps helped her play her character better.
The cast and crew clearly had a blast filming the movie. However, it was also emotional for them, considering the subject matter. Many of them shared their experiences on social media, stating how it was an emotional experience. By the end of the shoot, the entire team had become a family, which gets reflected in the movie itself.
Give Me Back My Daughter Cast Details
The Lifetime film is led by Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Gabourey Sidibe, who smartly pulls off the role of a loving mother stuck between her responsibilities and care for her daughter. Then, we have Cadence Reese, who, at her young age, plays Sidibe’s daughter to the T, showcasing an innocence that helps keep her mom sane, especially during trying times. The dynamic the two actors shared on set helped give shape to a powerful mother-daughter relationship that is the backbone of the movie.
Gabourey Sidibe as Renee
Gabourey Sidibe won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe nomination for her compelling debut role as Claireece “Precious” Jones in Lee Daniels’ ‘Precious.’ Her other notable performances include Sam in ‘Come As You Are,’ Dawn in ‘Antebellum,’ and Emily Harris in ‘All I Didn’t Want for Christmas.’ As far as television is concerned, we have seen her as Queenie in ‘American Horror Story,’ and Becky Williams in ‘Empire.’ The strength Gabourey brings to the character of Renee serves as the engine that takes the narrative forward. This, coupled with her onscreen presence, make her a perfect casting choice for the part.
Cadence Reese as Imani
Even at such a young age, Cadence Reese is no stranger to emotionally heavy roles, having played significant characters in the high-profile movie ‘Rustin’ and the drama ‘Love, Brooklyn.’ Her ability to showcase innocence added to the overall poignant nature of ‘Give Me Back My Daughter.’ The play between innocence and experience in the movie is thereby heightened.
Walnette Marie Carrington as Kelly
Walnette Marie Carrington’s previous Lifetime venture was ‘Dating Hell.’ Other notable projects she has worked in include ‘Favorite Son,’ and the faith-based drama ‘Let There Be Light.’ She also played Mel in ‘Doom Patrol,’ Carmen in Netflix’s ‘First Kill,’ and Big L in Starz’s ‘BFM.’
Sean Anthony Baker as Jeff
Sean Anthony Baker has worked in many high-profile shows, including ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Chicago Med,’ and ‘FBI.’ In films, we have seen him as Detective Boyd in ‘A Question of Faith,’ Big B in the Tupac-Shakur biopic ‘All Eyez on Me,’ and Hassan in the thriller film ‘The Pass.’
The extended cast that brings the story to life includes Kelley Kali, who plays Felicia King; Jade Fernandez, who portrays Halima; Christian Adam, who plays Preppy Boss; and Susan Gallagher, who plays Mrs. Patterson. Brian Kurlander and Erika Page White play Judge Mcculloch and Attorney Bell, respectively. We also have Myles Truitt as Curtis, Chanel Abreu and Lakisha M. Thomas as salon patrons, Charmin Lee as Tatiana, Ashley Denise Robinson as County Attorney O’Hara, Allison Yaple as the young social worker, and Megan Gallacher and Chloe Keiffer in side roles.
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