Nettie is the first name of Celie’s sister in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple.
Nettie and Celie are sisters whose lives are separated after Celie’s abusive husband drives Nettie away. Nettie eventually travels to Africa, where she works as a missionary and sends letters describing her experiences.
The film uses Nettie’s letters as an important narrative device. They connect Celie to the outside world and reveal information about family members, colonial society, and Nettie’s years abroad. Akosua Busia plays Nettie, while Whoopi Goldberg plays Celie.
The 1985 film was adapted from Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. It also stars Danny Glover as Albert, Oprah Winfrey as Sofia, and Margaret Avery as Shug Avery. The story traces Celie’s movement from oppression toward independence and self-respect.