Oprah Winfrey was so taken by Sapphire's novel "Push" that she read it more than once.

Yet even though the talk-show host has made best-sellers of unknown books, Winfrey didn't think even her staggering influence could make "Push" — the story of an obese, illiterate black teen who suffers unspeakable abuse — something that millions would want to read.

"I would never even think of presenting that book as a book club selection because people would think I had lost my mind," Winfrey said in a recent interview.

So when Winfrey heard producer and director Lee Daniels had adapted Sapphire's book into the acclaimed movie "Precious," with an all-star cast including Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and others, she was so impressed that she decided to lend her coveted endorsement to the film by signing on as its executive producer, along with hit filmmaker Tyler Perry.

"That is why we are both here, to applaud the brilliance of Lee because I can't imagine what kind of brain thinks that they can bring that to life," she said. "Who thinks you can take that book and turn it into a movie?"

"Precious" stars unknown actress Gabourey Sidibe as Precious, who endures an abusive mother, an incestuous father and extreme poverty in a journey of redemption.

Though Winfrey and Perry acknowledge the subject matter may be too grim for some, they hope their backing will get more people to see the film when it is released nationwide on Nov. 6. It plays at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dole as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival.

In a joint interview, the two spoke about why "Precious" moved them and what message it sends.

In an age when the world now sees images of African-American young women such as Sasha and Malia Obama, why is it still important to tell the story of girls like Precious?
Winfrey: For as many stories as there are hues and colors and variations of colors in the African-American race, this is just one. I feel about this story the same way I felt about "The Color Purple." It is now 24 years ago that we did that movie. This feels like a modern-day "Color Purple." Precious feels like a Celie who lives in Harlem. The story of abuse in our community and in many communities is still a taboo subject. The story and the arc of hope and possibility and empowerment is an evergreen, timeless story that I think this generation, the generation before us and many generations to come will also be entertained and inspired by. This story has no limitations.
Perry: This story has not been told yet, and it is still going on. It is still present in our society, and I think that somebody had to do it. I am so glad that Lee Daniels did it and I just wanted to support. He had already told this story so we are just here for support.
Oprah, wouldn't you have wanted to play the role of Mary (the abusive mother, played by Mo'Nique)?
Winfrey: I don't know an actress who wouldn't have wanted an opportunity to play that role. I think that is a wonderful character to play. I also don't know an actress in existence who could have done a better job (than Mo'Nique).
Oprah, you said this movie split you open. What about it resonated with you?
Winfrey: What struck me is that you can live in those circumstances and still find hope. You can't do that on your own. Somebody has to show it to you. For every one of us who have made it, someone has to show it to you. For me it was teachers. That is why I love the character Ms. Rain (played by actress Paula Patton) because Ms. Rain allowed her to see that in herself.
Perry: That woman (Mary) is my father, so I know it well. They can exist and they are real. What it did for me as I was watching the film and I got to the end of it, I felt such relief, such a weight off of me because I made it, and that is what I think people who have been through it. When they see it, they are going to be like, wow. I made it through. That is what is so powerful about it.