Mississippi Damned (2009) In the years 1986 and 1998 three black children living in Mississippi deal with poverty, violence and abuse. Young Kari the main character, is a talented pianist who hopes to pursue a career in it one day. Her sister Leigh is struggling to hide her lesbian relationship with her girlfriend, Paula. Their cousin Sammy, is a star basketball player. Each child deals with their dysfunctional family, including gambling, alcoholism, and poverty.