"Premature" is a film with a theme that has been brought to the screen many times. Nevertheless, the movie works because the story is timeless and the characters are as real as you and I. Zora Howard gives a standout performance as 17 year-old Ayanna. She is tough, yet vulnerable, a child and a woman, but most of all, a person whose growth is measured throughout the movie though her highs and lows of an unrequited love. Ernesto Green does a stellar job of directing as the rough and tumble, yet beautiful backdrop of New York City is intertwined with Ayanna"s friends, family and paramour.

It is always refreshing to watch a film where people of color can be who they are and there is no need to fall back on the mindless racial stereotypes too often presented in cinema. This is a nicely constructed act of storytelling and well worth one's time to sit back and watch the story unfold.

Premature is such a relative and authentic story for so many people and teens. The writing is natural, the handheld Camera work puts the audience in the moment, and the direction is simply human.

I believe wholeheartedly that, if this film had a major movie star that was beloved by white audiences, there would be the biggest award nominations spread throughout the cast. The way this film makes use of telling a backstory and the future through silence, while yelling the present, is an unbelievable testimony of creativity and pure brilliance.