Ep21 - Ruth Negga / "Loving"

after Oscar nominations. Because I was up to three a m. Yesterday, I took a nap. Eventually, I hate you. I couldn't help. I mean a certain point. Look, if you do anything else, you will collapse right now. I had a very long day because after it was the day of the Oscar dominations, and then I had two Q and a S with with two amazing redheads um first Amy Adams and Emma Stone. So it ended up being being a pretty long day.

Did you eat a TV right in the morning? I did, yes, uh no, And everybody patted me on the back for managing to make it through this segment without getting sick. Well, you know, not too many shockers. I guess beyond I guess you know you just mentioned Amy Adams, so just start there. That was the biggest surprise for everyone. Pretty surprising. I mean you always wondered. Yeah, you said all along you weren't sure she got in, and I wasn't sure either, just because I don't know if sci fi gets the

respect it deserves. But then with the Golden Globe nomination and the SAG nomination and the Critics Choice nomination, like, she seemed very secure. And I hate to say that, like one person pushed another person out, but um, obviously you know there were some people who were considered on the bubble who made it in and and Amy did not. Yeah, it's a low key performance too, It's not like it's this big Academy quote unquote performance in that way. So presumably,

I mean, you never know who's fourth, who's fifth. A lot of people think it's Meryl Streep, like she somehow on the afterburners. I mean, it could be Ruth, though Ruth Negga didn't have any support, and you'll make itself crazy thinking about it. I just I did not have Meryl on my list for the longest time until after her Golden Globe speech. I was like, Okay, she kind

of sealed it with that. But then it's disappointing because the other omission that that was very sad for me was Hugh Grant was not nominated from the same movie. What do you think happened there? I think we take him for granted to some extent, or maybe you know, the movie didn't get I think only Meryl was nominated from the movie. Um. Act, yeah, yeah, costumes were nominateds were nominated. Okay. I mean it's possible the movie just didn't connect with Oscar voters and Meryl got in because

she's Meryl. Um. I think it's also possible he might have split his votes a bit. Some people might have thought he was a lead. Yeah you know, um he was nominated for lead at the Golden Globes. Maybe maybe that wasn't a smart move on the studio's part to

position him that way there. Who knows. Something that was interesting to me was, you know, ever since Nocturnal Animals premiered at the on the festival circuit, people were talking about Michael Shannon and then that sort of died down and it became Aaron Taylor Johnson with the Globe in bathtonom So seeing Michael Shannon's name was a huge He's

always creedy, Yeah that guy. Yeah, No, me too. That's what's interesting, Actually this quote surprises were things that we all thought was gonna happen early on that we stopped thinking was gonna happen. Mike Shannon Twentieth Century Women for Screenplay is an example too. I um, you know, regarding Amy Adams, look, she's in good company and at Benning wasn't nominated TOI p Henson wasn't nominated, was so holding

out hope that Taragi would get in. Uh, you know, it was just it's just a testament to what a great year was for actresses. But but it was pretty shocking that also, you know, everyone loves Amy Adams. I just she's had a lot of work. I mean, she carried the load. You know, Dennis was off working on Blay Runner. Uh, you know, I don't know, I didn't really see Jeremy Renner around on this movie. I don't

know if she was working. They obviously loved really, i mean, eight nominations, so to not nominate the person who is sort of the face of the movie you know, holding it together. You made your case for that. I certainly did well. You said you did a Q and A

with her. Yeah, she was hilarious. I mean she you know, I can't speak for her, but I got the impression that, like I think Dennis Miller, before he went crazy years ago, said something to the effect of, if the worst thing that happens in your life is your show gets canceled, you led a fucking charmed life. So I think she has like really good perspective about it. Um, all I can say is that she was in a great mood

last night. She was really funny. She is so happy for Denny and for the movie, and um, you know, she was just she's just great with the audience and and seemed in really good spirits. Well here's the thing, Uh, next time she's in the running, she probably went well, you know, in a way, it might be the best thing that could have happened, because she probably wasn't gonna win, although for a while I was thinking she could. But um, so now you know, it sets her up to be like, yeah,

she's she's building a great narrative, so you know, whatever's next. Yeah, what else? Uh, Captain Fantastic didn't pan out. I mean I think I had I had hopes that I knew were a little you know, on on the precipice, and none of them panned out. No Kevin Costner or no Taragi, no Captain Fantastic. Although Vigo got in, which I'm thrilled about. That lineup seemed locked in place year it was kind

of interesting. Um oh, I was still, you know, pulling for Tom Hanks, but again, nobody feels sorry for Tom Hanks, let alone Tom Hanks. America's dead. Yeah, let's see, let's look at the Where are the freaking nominations? Do you uh? Do you have any um p G A We have p G A n SAG this weekend. Gosh, Well, the PGA nominees are the Best Picture nominees plus Deadpool. Yes, Deadpool did not make it, in which we both sort of expected. Yeah. I think some people got their hopes

up on that, which is I think they did. Yeah, but I mean, look, they weren't getting their hopes up without you know, any evidence to support them. I mean, a pre a WT nomination is pretty great. The sneeze at. Yeah, here's the nominations. Mel Gibson got in yes End of the Day, which was a little surprising to me, just because, as I've said before, I thought he had a better shot with the more vast d g A, where Garth

Davis was nominated for Lions. Like I would have thought me too, That's exactly what I thought, Like Mel would have been in for d g A and Garth would have slipped in for Oscars. Lobster got that screenplay nomination. About that U thirteen Hours got that sound nomination. Yeah, Suicide Squad can call itself an Oscar nominee, and Passengers, I mean, that's a look. I think Passengers is a much better film than Suicide Squad, but I don't know that's that's like giving a cannibal a knife and fork.

Passengers got two nominations. Thomas Newman got in, which I was wondering what was going to happen there because that branch the composers are so insular and they always nominate their own, and this year there was like John Williams, James Newton Howard had the Fantastic Beasts score, Thomas Newman had Passengers, And you know, these are kind of lackluster compared to what those guys usually put out, and meanwhile there was all this new blood and some of it

got in, like Michael Levy for Jackets got in and uh we all figured the lion uh composers would get in Nicholas Burttel for Moonlight. So all the it's it's it's uh, it's mostly new blood and then Thomas Newman so just reminds you that they do take care of their own. Still. I just rewatched Moonlight over the weekend for the first time in months and was really struck

by how good the score is. Uh, that string stuff is amazing when he out there in the water with by the way, if I can plug, I did a sag after a career conversation with Mirschel that's now online, and it is like just listening to that man speak, he's a charm. Yeah, it's hard not to like tear up half the time. I was very proud of myself, I must say, not to be a douche. The visual effects a nailed and and and only because I went to that bake off. Really, that really homework pays off.

It gives you a perspective that you wouldn't have otherwise, because, as I've said before, that deep water Horizon Real was amazing. The Kubo guys really made a passionate plea and they both got in. Yeah. Over Arrival, I was kind although there, but I guess Arrival wasn't as you know, flashy as when you get down to it, it it really is. It's very low key effects humanity. Yeah, but then so was ex mckinna and not One, which was not something that

pleased that branch last year. Yeah, have we not talked about that? There's an they Yeah, I mean this year at the bake off, the guy made a little speech like, remember your voting for the best visual effects, not the best movie with visual effects, And some people took that as like anti Arrival, but it had something to do with the x macin of it all last year, beating Mad Max and Martian and Star Wars effect these big like but you know, it's a political branches, a political industry.

So all these major effects houses working on these movies and then they lose TWEX Machina, which my answer is if you don't like it, don't nominate x macinn in the first place. Also, X main I had amazing great effects, Yeah, especially considering their budget. So okay, let's take. We asked for some questions this week, Yes, let's pull them up. You know, I just had a thought, what have the Amy Adams win SAG. I don't think it's gonna happen.

But you think you think Emma begins her march at say, but it would not be surprised, Natalie Portman one, I would actors love that movie? I love it. I'd be surprised. You know, do you think Casey is a lock for actor because if she doesn't win SAG, Ryan's not winning SAG and it's not nominated for ensemble, so it's lain walking out of SAG without an an award. You don't think Ryan's winning? Say, I don't know. I really am

pretty sure that's going to cast. I mean, I'm very excited for this weekend because we will have some answers. You know, let's give these people some answers. Didn't okay, Dennis kN Okay, Sorry dude. Uh. I think La La Land is winning nine Oscars, but I'm not so sure about screenplay and sound editing thoughts. I think Land is probably winning screenplay. I don't understand why people are feel

like that's an issue. But against that winning screenplay, I thought that was gonna win screenplay back when I thought that was the only award it was gonna win. Like it's it's a great screenplay. It's kind of the thrust of the movie is what he's put on the page in many ways that musicals don't have screenplays or something, which is ridiculous. There's more dialogue than music in that movie. Absolutely, it's a very witty screenplay and just exchanges and everything.

So I think he's good. Maybe it loses to Manchester, but I don't think, yeah, that's the only thing it can lose to. I think, yeah, I think you're right. I don't think sound editing is going to happen. But I didn't think the nomination was gonna happen. I was a little dumbfounded by that. Who do you think it could lose to Hacksaw? Okay, so it's like either Bullets or Broadway basically, I mean I think that Oh wait, I got a headline, hold on down. It's like an

old school variety headline coming in over the transom. I think I think law law is gonna win. Sound mixing musicals win sound mixing, Yeah, but sound editing if it win's sound editing watch out. Yeah, I know, watch out because I already think it's going to tie the record for wins been Her and Titanic, and uh so you have it winning everything everything except iund editing one of the songs Ryan Gosling and one of the songs, and Gosling is not Yeah, you know, he's definitely a creeper there.

Uh this says can anything stop La La Land? Clearly not. Um, you know, fourteen nominations. We we kind of buried that. But that's the lead of the day, was tying a record that all about even Titanic had, and it probably would have broken the record if they hadn't changed the rooms about the songs. Yeah, it could have got three songs back in the day, absolutely, and uh if it you know, if there were some like makeup wizardry that they had put into the movie or some a visual

effect situation, like yeah, it was. It's amazing how much this movie took this town by storm. And uh no, nothing's gonna stop it unless there's some closet and damien skeleton and Damien's closet somebody wants to dig out. But I think that like that. Yeah, but the way I did a Q and A with the producers of La La Land on Sunday, and I don't know why, I just loved the story. But Mark Platt was talking about, um, you know in the opening scene it's all one take,

or it's got to look like one take. Um, you know. It just shows you how hands on the producers are, like Mark Platt, producer of Wicked, producer of movies like Bridge of Spies. Apparently they were having trouble getting the door in the back of the truck tot up to reveal, you know, the drummers. So Mark Platt was back there pulling you forget that door to open. I love that. That was one of the three cuts I think in that sequence was when the door opens. Um that that

question was from no offense from Tom That's funny. I just got that. Does Arrival have a realistic shot to win any Oscars? I'm a big fan, but afraid it will go. I think I think it might, really I think it'll get something below the line. But you know where I think it's best shot might be. And this might be crazy, is adapted screenplay. It would have to be,

you might, it would have to be happening. But yeah, I mean I could see that, or I could I could see film editing or sound editing happening the way I just realized Manchester wasn't nominated for film editing. Yeah, I called that. I've heard editors kind of bemoan the

way they play with time in that movie. A lot of them think they discovered it after the fact, like it was a manifested thing, but it was in the shooting script, the way he wrote the flashbacks in so solid editing, I thought, but it was left on the sidelines. But yeah, I think Arrival could win editing because of its structure. I think it could win, which is funny. It's kind of a similar structure to Manchester. So why

are they bitching about Manchester? Yeah, I don't know. I think it adapted is you know, the darkest of forces, but you know, worth mentioning because of what kind of a story it is. And again sound editing, like if they obviously they like a Rival more than they like Hacksaw. I'm picking hacks all right now, just because it's a war movie. But you know, I could see them thrown at a bone there. But at the moment, yeah, I think it walks away empty handed. Kyle says, is there

anyone who could surprise with a win. I'm keeping an eye on Shannon and the Lobster. Well, I wouldn't keep my eye on the Lobster. I mean, I love the Lobster, but that's not something that I actually in original screenplay. I think, yeah, it's too tough. But somebody said yesterday, I think it was Kyle by Channon. Uh said, um that, like, as much as he loves Merschel, Ali kind of wants Michael Shannon to win just to hear the speech. Ye oh, yeah he would. I'm sure you'd have something to say

about exactly h surprises. Let's see. I am, like I said, I am not. I think there's gonna be some surprise in one of the acting categories. I just don't know what it is. I think I could see Casey fallen off. That's my concern, like shocking, like, but I don't know that it is shocking because um Denzel is so powerful in the movie and so highly regarded, and I mean he's got some stiff competition. It's a testament to how good gays he is. That he's you know, he's been

so dominant. Yeah, yeah, so, and I we we talk a lot about like, don't underestimate Ryan Gosling, don't I start underwardsmate, bil Morton's in Viola is good to go. I mean, if Viola doesn't win, it would be the biggest shock. Some people think it's about who paris in the running here. I just don't know a lot of people do. I don't think so either. But again, a lot of people to hate that movie. I was actually

surprised you got in. Ultimately, I was surprised she got into Grainy Adams let's see, and you know other stuff that I would say as surprises are the tech categories that you know Jane would be bored. I was just gonna say, wake me up, what you're done. I love that we've established this narrative, but I just I don't care about anything but the star Matthis wants to know. Is there any chance Audition in City of Stars can

split in song? Our industry voters, industry talking about a like allegations, So two firm Yeah, those are two different questions regarding the songs. Yeah. Actually, I mean personally, I think Audition is the better song because of how it's used too, But I think the anthem it's the it's the best song in the movie is Another Day of Sun, which was it shortlisted or not? Yeah? That that and it just goes on and on. That's why I love that song. It just keeps going for like ten minutes

or something. But I could see it happening. Um, you know, Moanna is sitting there with Lynn Manuel looking forward as he got you know, yeah, actually and well yeah, you know it was it? What was that year? Um, everybody thought it was gonna be was it Lady Gaga and Sam Smith? One? Last year? Was it last year? What was that year? Like a decade? What was the child of nineteen? Yeah, I'm still shocked by that. Unbelievable Yeah, because I mean like you just went in the face

of everything, Like Lady Gaga was a bigger star. The song was the front runner. It was a better song. I don't know what happened there, unless people were just put off by Diane Warren or something. She she does get out there fierce, fiercely with her campaigns. She's been nominated, like I believe it's a zility. Let's see alternative our voters industry talking about affle like allegations. I mean, certainly Constance wu Is you know, I haven't seen much else.

The funny thing is, I feel like people are talking about it and that they're all asking why people aren't talking about it, you know, And I'm like, if you have something to say, like say it, but I you know, I don't have anything to say that. I don't think it's been said all right basically, So you know, could that ding him at the end of the day, maybe if there's some undercurrent, but I don't. I don't think there is, so, you know, I think he's also um uh,

you know, by not speaking about it. I don't know, like, um, yeah that's what I heard. Yeah, like that it has I don't know. Maybe you know, if you can't talk about it, then you can't talk you can talk about I mean, he's it's been settled and there's legalities. It's like, I don't know. Um, that's a much longer conversation, I think, very clearly establishing here, Keith wants to know when does backlash reach beyond the bubble and actually become detrimental to

a film's chances. Great question. It also depends on the backlash. I mean, uh, I don't really know that it ever happens. Yeah, you I mean in our circle like we get worried about it, but then, like I remember the Argo backlash, It's always question something that King's speech where there were people, you know, who were piste off that it was winning

the guilds. But that was after Social Network spent like entire entirety of December winning critics awards, So you know, I don't know, Um, did you see, by the way, every year they do those honest movie posters. Oh my god, the one for La La Land was hilarious. And I also don't know if you saw the US see if I can find it, if you saw the Saturnight Live sketch this weekend where Zizzaria, because that's as far past the bubble as it goes. But that could have been

a funnier sketch. I thought, like, I thought it was actually a very affectionate sketchy. I didn't think that they were attacking La La Land. I thought it was done with Like, I kind of thought it was going to go in a different direction because I saw people tweeting about it before it aired on the West Coast, and I thought it was going to go in the direction of uh shit. Sorry, I tuned up for trying to put my words together, like use your words, use your words, Chris.

I just thought it was going to go in a like in a backlash direction, like commenting on backlash basically what I mean. And I didn't really do that. It was just like, uh, you know, how dare you not like this movie? But I really see that happening by the way, I guess I kind of took it personally like no one is saying, how dare you hate? Like not like this movie? I think people are saying, like why would you hate on it? I can't imagine why? Why is this movie that like lions Gate completely took

a huge risk on. That's what cracks me up. As people are like, oh, it's like Taylor to win Oscars, And I'm like, did Damien Chaselle pitched to this to these guys? And Sunday so a few years ago, this this dream project he had for years with original music, not by anyone music, and they put they put money into this thing and it's paying off for them, Like this is not like, this is not engineered. It's hilarious to me. Okay, So then dot CEO dot K does

I'm sorry, what does these um honest movie posts? You should check them out. So the Lala lamposter is funk. The backlash we all need this right now? Well that's that's in reality. Uh, this film is better than your life. Um, Manchester by the Sea, is you thought Ben was miserable? Sad flick round two? Ksey Affleck has entered the game. Um,

people themselves, Oh this you'll like this one. Um. Look at the silence poster Godfellows, Godfellows starring Old Spider Man, Kylo Wren and Oslan and it says from the director of Koon Dunn and Hugo, and then underneath that it says, wait, come back. He also made the Wolf of Wall Street that the part of Gangs of New as Ship They're gone. Wow,

that's pretty honest. And Um, of course the Arrival one is Amy Adams has more chance of actually discovering alien life than winning a goddamn oscar at this point for her the words I think the Arrival one should be not the Charlie Sheen movie. Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. There's some I just have to tell you the tagline for loving their loving poster. Thank god they weren't called

Richard and Mildred Boning. Oh god, well, speaking of loving. Uh, that's the interview this week, Ruth Nagar, Surprise and Trent and the in the sweepstakes if you will talk to her a while back actually, so this is hopefully not too dated. And she had a cold at the time, probably from working her as. Yeah, it was right before she went off to do some some work and then

she came back. She came back at the right time clearly because she she was gone for a bit and then she came back just before ballots went out and did some work and uh, and it paid off. I mean she's one of what was it six actors, six black actors or six actors of colors, seven actors of coloring. Yeah, and I'm happy to say many of them did play back. So thanks everybody. That's probably annomination, let's be honest. I mean, yeah, Amy did play back to the power. So stick around

for Ruth Nagger right after this. Do you have a PTA prediction or is it obvious? Oh? P g A yeah, la la okay, oh sag entsemble. I'm staying fences. I would not. I'm telling you I don't know. You know, I think Manchester, A lot of people think Manchester. I think my guesses Fences or Hidden Figures. Umid figures would surprise me. But I'm blinking. I feel like I'm blanking because there's also Captain Fantastic and Manchester. What's the fifth?

I know, right, how can we not know this? Captain Fantastic Manchester by the Moonlight that could be the one that wins. Actually, of course I could see moon Light winning, but I think Fences is gonna win. I'm gonna stick with Moonlight for now. But yeah, hidden Figures and Fences would not be surprises. Um, I guess man just has to win. Be surprised because three great actors from the movie are nominated, but I feel like that will get dispersed.

Um yeah, I'll stick with Moonlight. Fences has run a very smart ensemble campaign though, so I would not be surprised. And I mean, look, it's like, oh my god, it's a flawless ensemble. It's a flaws ensemble, and it's just like every actor in that room wants to play those parts. You know. I think that's what's gonna happen. We'll see anyway, stay tuned for Ruth read after this. In me no, the district of Columbia. I'm now'll pronounce you husband and wife. Ye,

rich went in bed with that woman his wife. That's no good here, Richard Perry Lovey, being a white person, and Mildred Jeter, being a colored person, did unlawfully cohabitates man and wife. Richard. I believe this is about all that could go all the way to the Supreme Court. Were her name right, the thind of Virginia will argue that it is unfair to bring the children of mixed race into the world. Tell that woman coming aloys my family here, I don't care. I can take care of you,

he contain. Welcome back, everyone, I'm here with one of the stars of Loving Ruth Nega. Thanks so much for doing my show. I appreciate it. Thank you for having me. We talked to Jeff Nichols on the show a few weeks back. Um, you know, his vision for this movie, the story of the Lovings, was a very quiet vision,

which is why it's so bold. You know, you might expect something with such uh dramatic and emotional under and overtones to maybe be a bit bigger quote unquote, and I thought it was interesting that he took that approach and just out of curiosity, Uh, you know when it comes to something like that, when this this is a story with emotions that are charged underneath the surface, really, do you feel like you wanted a release of like a big moment as an actor or where you right

in the wheelhouse with what he was. I think that thing about Jeff is um his priority is at verse a very similarity, because he wants everything to be truthful, you know, and authentic, and in order to honor the loving story that involved in its an entirety, that meant writing the screenplay that he did write and directing the film that he did direct that you see in your screens. And the thing about Jeff is that, you know, the priority is maintaining the truthfulness of what happened and the

integrity of this couple. And I don't think that he wanted to debase that um for sort of to meet sort of sort of cliche standard of filmmaking, you know, um. And I think it's Jeff Jeff, there's Jeff and his work are devoid of cliche. He is not a director that you know, is it. I think he's that terms a gun for higher who just like you know, comes in, does the job and heads off. He's an artist, and

you know, I mean, you think that's quite obvious. You know, his back catalog and so, um, I think he circumvented any sort of for pothole that might um suggest a real standard paint by numbers kind of firm and too, I think very much to his credit and to the film's credit. You know, I think Jeff doesn't patronize his audience.

He doesn't patronize anybody. And I think that he gives his audiences the respect they deserve in terms of resisting that kind of spoon feeding emotion or you know three quarters in having the big sort of reveal, or the kind of the big dramatic kiss and or the kind of you know, you know in this filments is this.

I think he has created this brilliant tension because you are expecting, you know, you're expecting sort of something to sort of explode almost and that tension becomes almost uncomfortable in many ways. But what it does is that that's reflective of the tension that it must have must have

existed then for this couple and many like them. Um, you know, to live your life under a thresh of exposure, you know, to have to live this sort of duality, dual existence, you know, in secret and hiding, that takes its toll, you know, and any anyone could be exposing you, and any violence could be around the corner, because it was for many people, you know, to speak up and speak out. I mean, this is no surprise to anybody.

At certain points in history was to risk, um, risk your life even you know, and and and and and it could cost you. And I think that that that is very much that that kind of energy is very much present in this film. And I think that's more interesting than that's sort of the run of the mill, you know, because expected thing. And I don't think Jeff does anything expected. And I think that that that it It is for me. It's maybe a quiet film. But

you know, um, you know that word is. People have attached many things to that word, and is do they mean boring? Do they mean nothing happens? Because I don't think that's reflective of our film, um, And I think in a way it mirrors Mildred and Richard because they are unexpected themselves. You know, I certainly don't think it

means boring for all the reasons we've lined out. I mean, I think that'll probably give you a lot to play with as an actress too, most definitely, And I think you know that the Mildred A. Richard were in there. We're a complex characters, you know, complex individuals as well, and I think that we were careful not to diminish that diminish their story. You know, Mildred, she's quite shy, unreserved, but that doesn't mean she is weak or subservient or

um any of those things. In fact, the opposite. She has an incredible sort of sense of herself and her self esteem. She has a self esteem, self confidence, and she has a belief in her beliefs. You may actually just yeah, absolutely, and you may have just actually answered my next question which I often ask actors who are playing real life people like it, was there a quality you know in your research? I'm sure you saw the

documentary and stuff like that. Was there a quality about Mildred that was so captivating you wanted to make sure that you carried it across in your performance? Oh for sure, for sure, you know, and that the documentary and the footage, the archival footage in the documentary that Nancy Birsky made the Loving Story, which I urged anybody and everybody to see. Um. It was really a gift for all of us, Jeff, Joel and I and I I it really was my

sort of my Mildred handbook, as it were, Mum. And in that in that footage, you know, there's a luminosity to this woman. She she she radiates m charisma and goodness and truthfulness and a lack of cynicism and ah, you know, an innocence without naivety. And and and I really I really worked hard. I think we ordered to capture that the glow around this purple, both of them.

And I think that, you know, and I think I think Joel did an extraordinary job of portraying Richard Um and I think together we felt it was very much Um. There was two of us in it, you know, and I think we felt I certainly felt very supportive by him Um and both as Ruth but also in my performances Mildred. And I'm also I'm often curious about locations, because like how they helped to inform what you're doing.

I asked the same question of Jeff, you're out there shooting in and around Richmond, in the areas that this happened, How does that help you as an actor to really get in that heads very much. So, um, you know, that was that was non negotiable. I think he insisted on shooting in and in and around Richmond and body greed. Uh not far from when where any of this happened. You know that the court house, that's the actual courts that they got sentenced to, the outside of the prison,

that's the prison that they stayed in. We couldn't, um, we couldn't actually film in her cell that Mildred was locked up, and because it was too flipping tiny, it was really tiny, and I think that really brought it all closer to home. It really made it really immediate, you know, um, because you know, I know this sounds really obvious, but histories have something that happened, happened back then.

But I think filming walking in their footsteps and you know, being in that quarter with the four walls where this happened, this actually happened, really resonated with us. It's sort of I think it galvanized both Joel and I'm in fact everybody into really I mean, we wanted to do his best possible job as possible, you know, in the first place, but it just gave an extra dimension you know, and I do believe that places have energies. You know, they

retain traces of events. You know, there's a residue in buildings, and you definitely felt an energy you know, around this film filming in these places in addition to the fact that it's very beautiful and so you sort of see why you know, Mildred was connected to this place. You know, I just spoke about her connection to nature, very key element for him, and that that environment, so I spoke

to that as well home for for Mildred. From Mildred, it feels like, you know, like when when you when you starve a plant of sunlight and water, they wilt. And you could very much see Mildred wilting and when she had to live in when she was exiled at Washington, d C. And also I think they exposed this sort of the folly of these laws that that prevented someone from raising their family where they wanted to raise them. Yeah, it's really quite extraordinary. Um this year alone, quite the

whiplash of material I guess. You know, you have the i'll use the word again, the quiet nature of of loving, and then you have something like the grand massive scale of warcraft and then the mania of something like TVs Preacher. Is that variety like very important to you? Um, because it's because it's it's very fulfilling, that's the bottom line, and you get to explore different parts of oneself and others. You know, it's very exciting to be allowed to do that,

you know, get paid for it. With regards to Tulip, what's the most fun you had playing Tulips so far? You think, Oh, we just laugh a lot on set. You know, I love I like jovial sets, you know, with the warmth and kindness and support, and you can't help but laugh when them Joseph Gilgan and Dominic Cooper are here, your playmates. It's such wild subject matter obviously. And uh, Seth Seth Rogan was actually the first guest on my podcast that pilot. The great word, the energy

of that pilot was just sensational. It's very reflective of both Seth and Evan Silberg. Yeah, it's really you know, I'm working with him as extraordinary because you felt that that that that energy they have, you know, that kid, the County Store energy very much um um um came through it our in our pilot. It was very much dictated a lot of sequences. Yeah, and did you get a chance to see Sausage Party yet? By the way,

I count wait to see Sausage Party. It's funny he and and Evan are like the pre eminent artists regarding theology between you know, Preacher and Sausage Party has elements and this is me and yeah, exactly, It's It's fascinating. I can't wait to see Nick Reil paid a douche excited. I love their voice, their their voices sensational. Um, I'm just looking back at some things. An early movie break for you was Breakfast on Pluto Jordan. What does that

mean for you? Oh? Well, that was? That was I mean, I remember, I remember where I was when I heard that news, and I just I was just wild with joy. I was because I was living in and I wasn't living at Dublin the time, and I wasn't really expecting to get the call. To be honest, Well, if I read, if I'm correct, I feel like I read that he rewrote or wrote apart for you. I don't know if that's a procophon, if I've made that up, or if he actually said it, or I've just decided that he said,

let's stick with Neil said it. I'm assuming you were a fan already gone. Oh yeah, huge fan, huge fan and of Pat mcabe who wrote and he also wrote Butcher Boy. Um oh, huge fans of them both Um and Kelly and Murphy who played Kitten. It was. It's just such a thrilling story, a really beautiful you know, Pat, Pat McCabe is such an original writer, and Nila is

such an original filmmaker, you know. And and they remind me of of of Jeff in that way, you know, they you know, that's they They've carved their own path really unique in original. They don't um you know, and I think you can say that with many many people, you know, um, you know, they have a style that's all over their own. So just work and mean working with Neil and Patton, like Declin Coe is a cinematographer.

I mean it was extraordinary and what Lawrence Kindlin Fellow Irish got, you know, and Kinney was extraordinary as Kitten. Brandon and Liam Neeson, I mean, Ruth McCabe, Mary Cockton, I mean, like we're talking like just starting, I could go on, so I mean, you know, and this is this is ten years ago now, so, um, you know it is such an honor. Do you ever see The Good Thief's films? A Good Thief randomly throwing it in there? I love that movie to remake. Melty is fantastic in it.

People haven't seen The Good Thief, they should check it out. Check out Neil Jordan's filmography. In general, I think, um, what do you want to do? A weird question, but like going forward? Do you have any interest in getting behind the camera? Do you have any interest in I think I'm too lazy. Really, I don't know. I don't know. You know. Actually, um, let's see, I don't know. I really like I don't need to be a prolific worker.

That's another word for being lazy, right, I'm that use that at work to see if I can get away with it. Um, I have to say that this, you know, doing Preacher, which I had door and then working with Jeff on Loving I mean that you can't go really wrong there. You know, I wouldn't mind doing if I could do like Creature of Year Undo a film with Jef Nichols. Here, I'd be happy at but not compelled to, you know, produce and make projects happen anything like that.

I ask also because we find ourselves amidst this diversity debate and as it pertains to the industry, and so I'm just curious if if you know what people are interested in doing, if they're interested in combating that people definitely, I think, I think you know, and I think that what you know, I wouldn't be an interest in combating it. That you know, creating work for myself would be a

great idea. Leave it with me, Yeah, I mean, you know, the thing is is that I think that we are I mean, you know, there is a push which is great. There is an agitation um to see diversity reflected under the screens, and nuts can only be a good thing, you know, I mean, and in many ways and many with very different narratives, because there isn't just one narrashin you know, there'sn't the black narratives. There's just the mixed

race narratives, many st and stories to be told. And I think that's really exciting, you know, and I'm excited to um hopefully maybe be a partial. Yeah, speaking earlier, Preacher, you're co starring that Dominic Cooper. You guys have been together for a few years, do you find it increasingly difficult to keep your private life just to keep that away from public scrutiny. Yeah, I mean I don't really know how to answer that question really because I don't

really look myself up too often. Key is, do not under any circumstances google and self. Oh yeah, in general, look some of it beyond you can under control, you know. Yeah, you can't really lose too much sleep about it because of that, you know, you drive yourself crazy. So I just leave that. I knew that one aloud. And then what's next for you? I didn't, I didn't notice. If anything, just sticking with the show for now. Maybe I'll just stick with the show and if Jeff will have me back,

stick with him. Otherwise you're lazy, and you're like, I'm I just I have this, um, I quite like just staring at windows really to be on a stage dreaming, and you know what, I actually think that's an integral part of a little an actor actually and being an artist. I'm being alive, you know. I don't think we do it often enough. I think that it'll probably all have better blood blood blood pressure levels if we did, you know, yeah,

take it easier. But should I should get off these screens. Well, on that note, I think I'm the last one you've been talking to today, so thank you for talking to me at the end of a very long Pleasure. Ruth has a bit of a head cold, so we wish her well. So sorry I sound really bummed up and stuffy with my apologies put out for the sniffles. Good luck with the premier and good luck with the movie as it opens. Thanks, thank you, Pleasure. Thanks for listening everyone.

Remember to subscribe and check back next week when I'll be talking to Moonlight writer and director Barry Jenkins. You've been listening to playback at the Boa