TORONTO - Oprah Winfrey says movie-goers shouldn't be daunted by the dark subject matter of her new film project "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
Drawn from a 1996 book, it tells the harrowing story of an obese, illiterate Harlem teen who has twice been impregnated by her father.
Winfrey, who executive produced the movie, told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival that she thinks the grim tale is a worthwhile experience for audiences.
"It is so raw that it will suck the air out of the room at the end of the film and that's a very good thing," the talk show queen said Sunday during a packed news conference.
"I think it's a good thing that we are taken to that level of engagement with this film."
Dressed in a purple pants-and-sweater ensemble, Winfrey fielded questions alongside the cast of "Precious," including singer Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd of "The View" fame, Paula Patton ("Idlewild") and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe -- who plays the title character.
Also on hand were director Lee Daniels ("Shadowboxer"), co-producer Tyler Perry (who directed the current box office hit "I Can Do Bad All By Myself"), author Sapphire, and Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, who provides a song for the movie.
Rocker Lenny Kravitz and actress Mo'Nique also appear in the film.
Carey, who plays a dowdy social worker in the film, said she had been a huge fan of Sapphire's book and leapt at the chance to shed her diva image.
"The overhead lighting was not my friend," she joked of her drab appearance in the film.
"It was cool because a lot of people tell me they don't recognize me in the film and to me that was a great gift ... to be able to really go that far away from who I am."
Perry says that while the film is undeniably bleak, it ends on an optimistic note.
"For anyone who's endured that kind of situation -- me being one of those people -- it left me with hope," said Perry, who is also an acclaimed playwright.
"(Precious) walks away with her life, she walks away with her faith and her love ... of her children. It leaves me with hope and that's what I'm hoping that people will walk away from it (with) that no matter what your situation, you can walk away feeling really good, leaving this movie understanding that no matter what you go through, you'll be OK."
The film was a smash success when it screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
The performance by Sidibe -- who was working as a receptionist before she landed the role of Precious -- has received raves and Oscar buzz.
Winfrey says "Precious" puts a face to those who have endured abuse and she hopes film-goers will sit up and take notice.
"I recognized myself in that character and most of all, I recognized that I have seen the 'Precious girls' of the world and they have been invisible to me," she said.
"And the message from this film is that none of us who sees that movie can now walk through the world and allow the Preciouses of the world to be invisible to us again. That is the message."
The Toronto International Film Festival runs until Sept. 19.
