In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves... Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.

USA, 2013, Short Film, 9min21

Directed by Ava DuVernay

Starring Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye, Goapele

Cinematography: Bradford Young

Music: Goapele, Emantive, Ahu, Dezaray Dawn, P. Furey, Ra-Re Valverde

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women's Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.

The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist's home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. "In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves," explains director DuVernay. "Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are."

Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine's emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

Ava DuVernay was the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance Film Festival, for her second feature, Middle of Nowhere, in 2012. The Door stars Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer-songwriter Goapele.

MUSIC

"Turn your lights on"
Written by Emanative
Performed by Emanative ft. Ahu
Courtesy of Brownswood Recording

"Chameleon" (Applejac's Sounds of Mecca Mix)
Written by Dezaray D. Frazler
Performed by Dezaray Dawn
Produced and Remixed by Cedric L. Durden
Courtesy of Sol Heir Music (ASCAP) and Sheekyvision Publishing (BMI)

"Who flew and Beyond"
Written and Performed by P. Furey
Courtesy of Furey Recording

"For love"
Written by Goapele
Performed by Goapele
Courtesy of The Debut Group

"Because"
Written and Performed by Ra-Re Valverde
Courtesy of Naznira Music Inc.