'Selma': Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey turn '60s civil unrest into a stirring, relevant film
'Selma': Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey turn '60s civil unrest into a stirring, relevant film
Ava, how did Oprah do when she had to punch the sheriff?
AD She was all in. She had no problem working with the stunt guys to be taken down. I kept saying to them, "Please, can you just be a little more careful?" And they're like, "She's falling on her own!"
OW I did it every time.
With
OW It's a jaw-dropping thing that this piece of art can meet this cultural moment that's so rich, so robust, so bursting with the energy of people finding their voices. This film's about being heard. I feel like this film, not to overstate it, but it is here for a reason in this moment.
Will you be screening this for your close friend
OW For sure. Our desire is to go to the
With such intense scenes - marchers were teargassed - was it tough keeping your emotions in check?
OW The very first time I saw it with the other producers, they're all taking notes. And I'm, like, sobbing. And I thought, OK, I guess as a producer you're not supposed to sob (continuing in a choked voice) so let me just take some notes too. I'm gonna blow my nose and stop crying.
Oprah, how did Ava try to woo you for
OW I was just gonna be in the background going, "Yay!" But she sent me the link to a story about
It probably also helped that as a girl you wanted to be Dr. King!
OW What made me think I was gonna do that? I was 12, 13. I remember being at our yellow Formica kitchen table filling out one of those "What are you gonna be when you grow up?" forms, and my father was saying, "You can't be Dr. King because Dr. King is a man!" "Well, I'm gonna have me a church," I said.
What about you, Ava? Who was your idol?
AD (Pointing at Winfrey.) My mom had magazines with you on the cover on our coffee table since as long as I can remember, to the point where I thought you were my family member. She would tape your show at work and watch it at night. My mom would just say, "Look at her. Don't be like me, be like her," and get emotional.
OW Oh, God, I'm emotional about that (tearing up). You never told me that! (She playfully smacks DuVernay.) Don't tell me that in an interview for the first time!
Let's talk about something lighter. Ava, you worked on Scandal!
AD Imagine a geek fan getting a chance to direct her favorite show! I can make
So you're Team Fitz, then - not Team Jake?
AD Oh, Fitz.
OW Fitz.
AD Sorry,
The Real-Life Heroes
Oyelowo says he gained insight from King friend
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