Mississippi Damned

In 1986, Leigh's girlfriend announces she is marrying a man. Leigh is devastated and lashes out by attacking him. She is arrested and ultimately kicked out of her parents' house in rural Mississippi.

Sammy is sexually abused by an older man. To fund his budding basketball career, he begins accepting money for sexual acts. This early exploitation shapes his later choices and sense of self.

Sammy's mother stabs her boyfriend's lover and is arrested. Following the incident, Sammy is taken in by his aunt. The family upheaval forces him to adjust to a new home life.

While living with his aunt, Sammy rapes his younger cousin Kari, Leigh's sister. The assault marks a brutal turn in the family’s history and deepens the cycle of abuse. Kari's safety is compromised in that household.

By 1998, Leigh remains haunted by her past relationship and continues to visit her former girlfriend. She clings to a longing that never fully resolves, highlighting the permanence of her wounds. Her experiences reveal how opportunities slip away.

In 1998, Sammy is a former professional basketball player who is out of work due to an injury. His pride prevents him from taking a low-wage job, even to support his wife and child. He grapples with humiliation while trying to redefine his identity.

Kari is a talented pianist awaiting acceptance to a musical conservatory. She delays college to care for her cancer-stricken mother and to save money for schooling. The dream of leaving Mississippi remains alive but fragile.

As financial pressure grows, Kari asks Sammy for money to help her dream. He provides the funds, but she feels disgusted and ashamed to have had to ask him. Their interaction underscores the emotional distance widening between them.

Feeling rejected by his wife, Sammy pursues his son's underage babysitter. His wife discovers the affair and calls the police. The scandal precipitates Sammy's decision to end his life.

Kari learns that her mother's cancer has returned and that her father has been laid off. She gives her parents the money Sammy gave her and decides not to pursue the conservatory for now. The family’s financial strain clashes with her ambitions.

Kari's aunt urges her to go to school and warns that if she doesn't leave now she may never go. The crucial push to seize opportunity becomes a turning point for Kari. The aunt’s insistence seeds hope for a different future.

Kari learns she has been accepted to a music conservatory in New York City. The news rekindles her dream of leaving Mississippi and pursuing her talent. The prospect of moving away marks a new chapter.

Kari discovers that her aunt has died and left her $25,000 in life insurance for school. The money changes the practical math of her plans. The revelation adds a bittersweet note to the aunt’s death.

With acceptance in hand and the life insurance looming, Kari packs her belongings and leaves Mississippi bound for New York City. She resolves to pursue her education despite the hardships they've endured. The journey marks the turning point toward a different life.