Nov. 5, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Lionsgate Music, the music arm of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) the leading next generation studio, in association with Matriarch/Geffen Records, will release the official soundtrack for Lee Daniels' highly anticipated, prize-winning film PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE. The soundtrack will be available online November 3rd and in stores November 23rd. It was produced by Daniels along with Mary J. Blige, whose new song "I Can See In Color" will be the first single. The track has already garnered raves, with Rolling Stone extolling it as "...a knockout song...expressing the goal of Precious to see the world in color." Other artists featured on the star-studded soundtrack include Queen Latifah, Mahalia Jackson and Grace Hightower. According to Daniels, these artists were selected because they "resonate not only in Precious' world, but speak to your soul no matter who you are."

The songs on the soundtrack effectively capture this groundbreaking film's powerful, universal message about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in 1987, PRECIOUS tells the story of Harlem teenager Claireece "Precious" Jones, who overcomes tremendous obstacles to discover her own worth, beauty and potential. Precious' tale is perfectly complemented by this deeply moving collection of songs - songs that are the sound of Precious' resilient, questing spirit, which carries her through such intense struggle. Courage and determination, passionately expressed by Mary J. Blige, Jean Carn, Donna Allen and others, are touchstones of Precious' story and Daniels' film; ultimately the message will reverberate in listeners and audiences alike.

The film and its standout performances have already received a myriad of critical accolades and top prizes at major international film festivals. Breakout star Gabourey Sidibe was featured on the cover of a recent New York Times Magazine, and was touted as "beyond incredible" by Access Hollywood, who called the film "amazing...not to be missed." Time Magazine lauded it as "an unabashedly inspirational anthem." The Oscar® buzz is already in full swing, with predictions for nominations coming from the New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Time Magazine, Elle Magazine, The New York Post and more.

PRECIOUS premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize for Acting.