Black Women of Awards Season

an exclusive conversation By Angelique Jackson and Jazz Tangcay

Plus: Kerry Washington Laverne Cox Rashida Jones

Leading Female Contenders List

02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 3

FEATURES P.28 52 P.28 Black Women of Awards Season ) Photograph by Gizelle Hernandez any Artist Group; Manicure: Christina Aviles/Star Touch Agency; Suit: St. John; Agency; Suit: St. John; Touch Christina Aviles/Star Manicure: any Artist Group;

Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams By Angelique discuss politics, represen- Jackson and tation and being part of a Jazz Tangcay unique competition period

P.42 Focus on Black History

“One Night in Miami,” “Judas By and the Black Messiah” and Angelique “Da 5 Bloods” shine a new Jackson light on the turbulent ’60s

P.52 Telling Untold Stories

The star of “Harriet” shares By what she learned from the Cynthia experience and how she aims to Erivo amplify other forgotten voices

Cynthia Erivo aims to focus on lives Hollywood overlooks with her production company Edith’s Daughter. P.52 (Cover) Davis’ Styling: Elizabeth Stewart/The Wall Group; Makeup: Sergio Lopez River/Cloutier Remix; Hair: Jamika Wilson/ Epiph Remix; Hair: Jamika River/Cloutier Sergio Lopez Makeup: Group; Wall Davis’ Styling: Elizabeth Stewart/The (Cover) Earrings: MISHO Designs; Abrams’ Styling: Iman Ramadan; Hair & Makeup: Paulette Morgan/@theiqueen; Clothing: Eloquii (This page Paulette Styling: Iman Ramadan; Hair & Makeup: MISHO Designs; Abrams’ Earrings:

Cover photograph by AB+DM 4 ● CONTENTS 02.17.2021

P.55 From actors and artisans to producers and directors, here’s a look at the FOCUS women behind awards season contenders

P.75 European Film Promotion shines a light on 10 Shooting Stars

BIZ + BUZZ

P.13 23

P.13 Questions swirl around ViacomCBS’ Paramount Plus streaming plan for bringing together its diverse units

P.18 Director Lee Daniels writes about Billie Holiday’s lasting legacy

P.20 Director Tim Story shares how he reimagined the “Tom & Jerry” rivalry

P.22 Awards Circuit: For Oscars’ acting categories, SAG and Globes love is key P.76 P.23 MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre is reinventing himself as an actor Finnish actor Seidi Haarla, who starred in the 2019 film “Force of Habit,” is one of European Film Promotion’s Shooting Stars.

OUR TOWN ARTISANS REVIEWS

TV FILM

“It’s a Sin” “I Care a Lot” P.83 P.85 P.25 27 P.79 81 P.83 85

P.25 Neil Patrick Harris’ “intimate” shoot P.79 Andra Day shares how she stepped into on “The Matrix 4”; how Susanne Bier the role of a jazz legend in “The got the “First Lady” directing gig United States vs. Billie Holiday”

P.26 Here are a few ways to support Black P.80 Short “Cops and Robbers” mixes anima- History Month while shopping tion styles to convey powerful message

P.27 Lady Gaga Oreos, inspired by the P.81 Casting director Kim Hardin discusses Nicole album “Chromatica,” are a viral hit representation in the industry FACETIME P.86 Beharie

Variety, VOL. 351, NO. 3 (USPS 146-820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the first week of September and the last week of December, with 21 special issues: Jan (6), Feb (1), June (4), July (5), and Aug (5) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2021 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. Force of Habit: Jolle Onnismaa/Totem Films; Beharie: Vertical Entertainment Films; Beharie: Vertical Habit: Jolle Onnismaa/Totem of Force

6 ● MASTHEAD 02.17.2021

VARIETY IS OWNED & PUBLISHED BY P-MRC HOLDINGS, LLC

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8 ● PLUGGED IN 02.17.2021

“Croods,” “Angry Birds” and “Ice Age” Stars franchises, will produce the film with of The Biggest David Ginsberg and their production company Estuary Films. The project is Upcoming a collaboration between Estuary and TV Stories of animator Ken Duncan’s Duncan Studio, Premieres with additional development financing and support from Corus Entertainment’s the Week From Nelvana. Rob Hollocks, Josh Feldman and Estuary’s Brad Saunders also produce. Gaineses’ Will Collins, screenwriter of the Golden Our Reporters Globe-nominated “Wolfwalkers” and the Compiled by Joe Otterson Magnolia Oscar-nominated “Song of the Sea,” will Network write the script. — Angelique Jackson to Go Digital 2 First in July

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ joint venture with Discovery, Magnolia Network, has finally gotten a new launch date after delaying its October start. But in the wake of the pandemic, that revised plan marks an inversion of the old one, with Magnolia to launch digitally first, Shia LaBeouf, on July 15 on Discovery Plus; the rebrand Kenan Thompson of the linear DIY network now is set for CAA Part Kenan January 2022. The original plan was to :D\V$ЕHU Vscore = 87 start with the launch of the cable net- Sexual Battery Starring in his work, with the Gaineses revamping DIY own sitcom, the Lawsuit “SNL” player is to include a “Fixer Upper” revival and 4 in prime position. ‘Umbrella shows like “Magnolia Table,” hosted by Joanna Gaines — or Jo, as she is known

Academy’ Cast Shia LaBeouf and Hollywood talent Wire/AP Bateman: Ian West/PA Pictures; Taghizadeh/Fable Anne Boleyn: Parisa hell: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP; to viewers. The direct-to-consumer Scores Big agency CAA have agreed to a hiatus, product was supposed to debut about with the actor receiving inpatient care Pay Raise Ahead six months later. — Elaine Low following a lawsuit filed in December of Season 3 by his ex-girlfriend, actor and musician 1 FKA Twigs, who alleged that he was Peter Dinklage physically abusive during their rela- The majority of the core cast of the “Umbrella Academy” — tionship. Since then, LaBeouf has been Lily Rabe Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert to Produce, accused of emotional abuse by a number Tell Me Your Secrets Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher and Justin H. Min — has netted a sub- Star in of women. A pattern of his behavior has Vscore = 66 stantial salary hike going into the hit Netflix-UCP show’s third been well-documented over the years ‘This Was It’s no mystery season. According to multiple sources, the six actors banded 3 while he has continued to work in the Our Pact’ why her number is together ahead of the season to ask for a pay raise, with each of entertainment business. CAA has not rising ahead of them now earning more than $200,000 per episode. According Peter Dinklage is set to voice one of the fired LaBeouf, two people familiar with this crime drama. to a person familiar with the series, fellow cast member Elliot lead characters — a “mysterious and the matter tell Variety, explaining that the Page also received a raise but was not directly involved in the charismatic bear” — in animated feature actor made the decision to take a break so group’s renegotiation. Page came into the series earning a higher “This Was Our Pact,” based on the best- that he could solely focus on his recov- rate as the most established star. He was said to be supportive selling graphic novel by Ryan Andrews. ery and get the help he has admitted he of the group’s effort for a pay increase.— Joe Otterson Dinklage, who has voiced roles in the needs. — Elizabeth Wagmeister

There’s a new queen in town. Daniel D’Addario Brandy Breaks Maia Mitchell Here’s the exclusive first @DPD_ Down How Her Good Trouble look at Jodie Turner-Smith as “Cinderella” Came Vscore = 54 Claudia Conway’s appearance on Anne Boleyn in an upcoming to Disney Plus Her Vscore is series on Channel 5. “American Idol” — the worst sort of exploita- coming of age tion of a minor — ought to prompt real — up five points 8,662 likes 14,186 views soul-searching among ABC executives. since Jan. 1. Uncovered

Ahmad Barber and Donté Maurice, known this we jumped at it immediately! This as AB + DM, are the photography duo behind project was something so special and dear Tom Bateman Behind Her Eyes the Black Women of Awards Season cover to our hearts,” say Barber and Maurice. “We Vscore = 52 featuring Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams. wanted to illustrate the idea of collaboration Is it still cheating if “We’ve had the honor of working with them and conversation.” The pair photographed it moves the nee-

on previous projects so when we got offered Abrams in Atlanta and Davis in Los Angeles. dle seven points? Mitc Walker/Variety; Andrew Thompson: Stephen Lovekin/Variety; Chip LaBeouf: Michael Buckner/Variety; and Jo: Magnolia Network;

10 ● FIELD NOTES 02.17.2021

It’s Hard to Follow the Yellow Brick Road

I had a visceral reaction to last week’s news TV set, and each year felt as though we were seeing that there was a remake of “The Wizard of Oz” the film for the first time. Nothing about it ever in the works. It’s pretty much how I feel every got old despite the fact that we knew what every time Hollywood announces plans for a “retelling” single beat would bring along the yellow brick of a classic. In my view, the 1939 film starring a road. We’d always be scared to death when those young Judy Garland is one of those movies, like terrifying flying monkeys attacked. We cowered “Casablanca,” “Citizen Kane” and “Midnight every time the Wicked Witch of the West appeared Cowboy,” that can’t be improved upon. on-screen even though we knew she’d melt away The 1939 musical fantasy holds a special place when Dorothy threw that bucket of water on her both in the history of American cinema and also ugly green self. in my little-girl heart and still stands as one of the L. Frank Baum’s beloved children’s book “The greatest achievements in moviemaking and cast- Wonderful Wizard of Oz” has been adapted in ing to ever come along. Though I can’t recall ever various forms over the years, but at this point we actually seeing the movie in a theater, it became have no idea what version to expect from director a tradition in my family, as it did in millions of Nicole Kassell. She promises to bring a “fresh take” American households, to watch “The Wizard of to the legendary story, a “reimagining,” as she calls EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Oz” on network television once a year as a TV spe- it, while acknowledging, “These are profoundly cial (it aired from the late ’50s through the early iconic shoes to fill. … ” Right she is. It would seem ’90s and then periodically for years thereafter). incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to replicate I vividly remember my pent-up excitement the kind of transcendent, emotional connection when my parents made plans for us to have dinner many of us had to the ’39 original and to the event- at the house of family friends to watch the movie. ized family entertainment experience we enjoyed The kids would gather on the rug in front of the in our living rooms year after year. Claudia Eller

It became a tradition in my family, as it did in millions of American households, to watch ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on network television once a year as a TV special.”

02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 13 BIZ+ BUZZ

ViacomCBS faces an Scaling the Mountain uphill climb as it prepares to unveil its Paramount Plus streamer to consumers and investors

By Rebecca Rubin and Cynthia Littleton

Illustration by Peter Oumanski

As ViacomCBS looked for options to rebrand its CBS All Access streaming service, the company strategically chose a name that invoked one of Hollywood’s oldest brands: Paramount Plus. Among the many content labels under the ViacomCBS umbrella — including MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, CBS and Comedy Central — the 100-year-old Paramount Pictures was expected to be most recognizable to consumers and give the revamped platform the boost it needs to contend in the streaming wars. Yet in the weeks leading up to the ViacomCBS investor day event on Feb. 24, where the company intends to raise the curtain on the Paramount Plus strategic plan, there’s been little clarity on how the different divisions integrate 14 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.17.2021

They are very late to the game, and they have a muddy message.” — Peter Newman, NYU with the streaming service. In fact, amid In the near term, Paramount Pictures a transition in leadership of digital oper- has been a free agent. With the pandemic ations at ViacomCBS, the company resulting in prolonged movie theater clo- has been scrambling to refocus the blue- sures, the studio has been active in selling print and distinguish itself from Netflix, finished titles including Aaron Sorkin’s HBO Max, Hulu, Disney Plus and other “The Trial of the Chicago 7” to Netflix entrants in the crowded field. and Michael B. Jordan starrer “Without That was most clearly illustrated in Remorse” to Amazon. Sources familiar the numerous Paramount Plus ads that with the negotiations say CBS All Access/ ran during the Super Bowl. Narrated Paramount Plus were offered each by Patrick Stewart, star of the CBS All title but didn’t have the budget to buy Access original “Star Trek: Picard,” the them. “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge TV spot featured Dora the Explorer, on the Run,” Paramount’s animated fea- “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, Snooki from ture derived from the Nickelodeon stal- MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and, of course, wart, will debut March 4 as a premium SpongeBob SquarePants. Industry $20 VOD offering; it will be available free insiders felt the 30-second clips were a to Paramount Plus subscribers. little confusing. Nor did they make it Insiders say ViacomCBS doesn’t clear that Paramount Plus, set to debut plan to use the buzziest theatrical March 4, is a rebrand of CBS All Access. releases it has on hand, such as “Mission: “They are very late to the game and they Impossible 7,” “Top Gun: Maverick” have a muddy message,” says producer and “A Quiet Place Part II,” to make Peter Newman, the head of NYU’s Tisch a splash for Paramount Plus. That’s a School of the Arts’ MBA/MFA program. million. The handover to Ryan, who reality show “The Real World” and a "Top Gun: Maverick,” departure from the approach taken by One longtime CBS insider described it comes from a technology and digital spinoff of “SpongeBob SquarePants” starring Tom Cruise, Disney and WarnerMedia: The July 4 as “not-invented-here syndrome,” a sign startup background, has led to some hic- called “Kamp Koral,” which features won't be part of the debut of the film of Lin-Manuel Paramount Plus roll- of the perception that the new stewards cups and questions about who is calling the cast as youngsters at summer camp. out due to the financial Miranda's Broadway smash “Hamilton” of Paramount Plus have little apprecia- the shots at Paramount Plus. After seeing Netflix boast the arrival considerations of and Christmas Day premiere of Pixar’s tion for the foundation built by CBS All A representative for ViacomCBS of a new movie every week for the next bypassing theaters. “Soul” helped goose Disney Plus sub- Access. A pioneer in subscription stream- declined to discuss Paramount Plus’ year and Disney, at its annual investor scribers, as did the Christmas Day launch ing, CBS All Access debuted in October launch plans in detail, citing the upcom- day, announce numerous streaming-cen- of Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman 1984” 2014 and at present has about 8 million-9 ing investor day presentation. Sources tric film and television projects in the for HBO Max. million subscribers who pay $5.99 or close to the situation disputed the sug- works, Paramount Plus executives have ViacomCBS would have had to cut a $9.99 a month depending on the plan. gestion that the company has struggled made moves to reprioritize the film stu- big check to the profit participants of The price point for Paramount Plus will to bring its various brands under the new dio’s offerings. Heightening the sense tentpoles like “Top Gun” and “Quiet likely be unveiled next week. streaming roof. And the source pointed that was necessary was Warner Bros.’ Place” to make up for the lost box office ViacomCBS insiders say there’s been out that most of the Paramount Plus surprise decision to have its entire 2021 potential, a blow the company isn’t well strain in readying the building blocks management team under Ryan consists film slate debut simultaneously on HBO positioned to absorb. of Paramount Plus, in part because the of CBS All Access alums. Max and in theaters. That is proving to That’s because ViacomCBS is still pull- regime that built CBS All Access is no Streaming services have the twin be a huge investment by parent company ing out of the financial crater created by all longer in place. CBS digital veteran demands of offering up a large library AT&T in WarnerMedia and the growth the internal drama and sector headwinds Marc DeBevoise was named chief dig- of established TV shows and movies of HBO Max. that have buffeted the two halves of the ital officer of ViacomCBS as the long- as well as buzzy exclusive originals. Paramount Pictures may yet become reunited Redstone media empire, Viacom awaited merger of Viacom and CBS Paramount Plus is leaning heavily an integral part of Paramount Plus. At and CBS Corp., since they were reunited. Corp. was completed in December on TV content, such as the many iter- present the studio’s new titles are com- The enlarged ViacomCBS also can’t afford 2019. In May, the conglomerate unveiled ations of the “Star Trek” franchise and mitted in the lucrative first pay window a big hit to its theatrical business at the plans to expand and rebrand CBS All established ViacomCBS brands like to Epix, the cable channel that launched same time CBS is faced with an eye-pop- Access. Five months later, DeBevoise was “SpongeBob,” “Dora the Explorer” and in 2009 as a joint venture of Viacom, ping price hike to renew its TV rights pact elbowed aside, and the reins of the “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah,” Lionsgate and MGM. MGM bought with the NFL. Paramount Plus relaunch were handed as well as hundreds of titles from out its partners in 2017, and Paramount ViacomCBS has billed Paramount to Tom Ryan, then president of Pluto TV. Paramount’s vault, including “The Pictures’ commitment to Epix is believed Plus as offering “a mountain of enter- Ryan, now CEO of ViacomCBS Godfather” trilogy, the “Indiana Jones” to end in late 2022 or early 2023. The sub- tainment,” in a nod to the studio’s iconic Streaming, came into the fold less than franchise and many other classics. scription Paramount Plus service would snowcapped peak logo. As relaunch date a year before the CBS merger, when Also on offer: original programs, such be a natural new home, although sources approaches, it’s clear the conglomerate Viacom acquired his Pluto TV ad-sup- as a limited series about the making of close to the situation say there’s no cer- has steep passages to scale before it hits

ported live streaming service for $340 “The Godfather,” a revival of the MTV tainty that any such deal will transpire. the streaming summit. Pictures Paramount

16 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.17.2021

Variety Promotes Two Writers, Two Editors in Multiplatform Focus

By Variety Staff

“There is nothing more gratifying than Donnelly reports to Brent Lang, exec- to see our reporters and editors continu- utive editor of film and media and New ing to push themselves and grow their York bureau chief. knowledge of this swiftly evolving media Low has been upped to senior TV universe,” says Variety Editor-in-Chief business writer. She came to Variety in Claudia Eller. “We are incredibly proud January 2019. Low has distinguished Variety has promoted writers Matt to work with Matt, Elaine, Jazz and Jem, herself with sharp business coverage Donnelly and Elaine Low and editors all of whom are so talented and devoted of the streaming sector as well as tradi- Jem Aswad and Jazz Tangcay. to their work.” tional television programming. She has The promotions come as Variety is Donnelly has advanced to senior penned cover stories about Netflix tele- expanding the scope of its multiplatform entertainment and media writer. He vision chief Bela Bajaria, the final season editorial operations to better capture all will focus on news and analysis about Donnelly Low of “Orange Is the New Black” and the aspects of the global entertainment busi- the film and TV industries, particularly marriage of e-commerce and reality TV ness. The elevation of Aswad to deputy the inner workings of the Hollywood in Amazon’s “Making the Cut.” music editor reflects the strong growth creative community. He also covers She reports to Daniel Holloway, exec- of Variety’s activity in the sector in the talent representation. utive editor of television. four years since he and Shirley Halperin, Donnelly joined Variety in September Tangcay has been elevated to senior executive editor of music, signed on to 2018 and has made his mark with exclu- Artisans editor. Tangcay, who joined relaunch Variety’s music coverage. sive breaking news stories. Among his Variety in October 2019, has quickly Donnelly, Low and Tangcay are part of notable scoops have been the inside established herself as an authority on a growing team around the world deliv- story of Gabrielle Union’s departure the below-the-line production commu- ering breaking news, analysis, data and from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and nity and the array of crafts and technical deep dives to guide the industry through a reporting on behind-the-scenes strife at expertise that are the backbone of visual period of unprecedented transformation. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Aswad Tangcay media and recorded music. Tangcay is also part of Variety’s team devoted to covering awards season. She co-hosts the weekly “Awards Circuit” Variety After years of steady acceleration, the number of scripted podcast with ’s Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider. OFF-PEAK TV TV shows hit a coronavirus speed bump in 2020. Last year, 493 original scripted series premiered in the U.S., down 7% from Tangcay reports to Lang and Halperin. 2019, according to FX Networks data. That’s the first year- Based in New York, Aswad joined over-year decline since the cabler began keeping the tally more Variety in April 2017 from Billboard. than a decade ago. –Todd Spangler Aswad’s promotion comes as Variety has steadily expanded the scope and volume of its music activity under 550 Halperin’s leadership with annual fran- chises including Hitmakers, Music for Screens, Music Mogul of the Year and extensive Grammy Awards coverage. “Jem has played an essential role 500 in elevating Variety’s music business coverage,” says Halperin. “When we both arrived at Variety nearly four years ago, we endeavored to become 450 not just a part of the conversation but an important voice when it comes to industry-shaping and culture-shifting topics. I’m happy to report that we’ve 400 achieved that goal, thanks in no small part to Jem’s tireless efforts.” Aswad focuses on music industry news and analysis with an emphasis 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 on the live music sector. He has writ- ten cover stories on the Weeknd, Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Source: FX Networks

Stallion and Spotify. Alex Gitman Tangacy: Aswad: Variety; Donnelly, Low,

to Black history’ filmis ‘This my contribution GUEST COLUMN Holiday of Billie The Courage 18 By LeeDaniels ● include “Precious,” “ThePaperboy,” work is“TheUnited States vs. Billie Lee Danielsisadirector, producer the series“Empire”TV and“Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Hislatest BIZ + BUZZ and screenwriter. Hiscredits Holiday,” starring Andra Day. der discomfort and to raise consciousness der discomfortandto raise consciousness She deliberately performedittoengen- about lynching. It was Billie’s protest tune. the mostimpactfulsongofhercareer, was the 1950sand’60s. now callsthecivil rightsmovement of a seedthatflourishedintowhathistory ’40s, noless. IthinkMissHoliday planted United States. Andduringthe1930sand the lynchingofBlackpeoplehere inthe platform toraise publicawareness about safety, herown livelihood, touseher jeopardizingdefying theKKK, herown traveling through theJim Crow South, how courageous BillieHoliday was — upon it.Most peopledonotknow just and thegovernment’s persistentassault career thatIlearnedofBillie’s activism cal talent.But itwas muchlaterinmy cased BillieHoliday’s glamourandmusi- historians around theworld have show- Black history. Filmmakers, journalists and that movie. It isasignificantpartofmy remain indebtedtoeveryone whomade I amtoday. Nearly later, ahalf-century I and inspired metobecomethefilmmaker screen. Thatexperience changedmy life and furs, andloving eachotheronthebig people livinglarge, drippingindiamonds I couldnotbelieve Iwas seeingBlack jazz iconBillieHoliday. At 13years old, the Blues,” acinematicmasterpieceabout was in1972. Thefilmwas “LadySings The firsttimeIsaw myself on-screen “Strange Fruit,” whichisundeniably is farfrom over. of my own professional life. Butthework rience Iwillalways cherish asahighlight were abletocreate togetherisanexpe- This momentofBlackhistorythatwe Black artistswas anenormousprivilege. was agift forme. Doingit alongsideother yet tragic storyofaBlackbisexual activist Holiday sangaboutin“Strange Fruit.” versionthe 21st-century ofwhat Billie and around theworld were protesting Millions ofpeopleacross ourcountry cidental andemotionallyoverwhelming. had justmade. Its timing was bothcoin- I thoughtconstantlyaboutthefilmwe less killingsofunarmedBlackAmericans, streets lastsummerprotesting thesense- ken, frustrated peoplemarching inthe Ahmaud Arbery. AsIwatched heartbro- of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and ayearHoliday” before themurders be documentedandcelebrated. an aspectofherartistrythatdeserves to belongs inBlackhistorynarratives. It is ences. Thisimportantpartofherlegacy theaters withpredominantly whiteaudi- the songinarange ofvenues, including yet shecontinuedto bravely perform suppress herlynchingabolitionefforts, government tookextreme measures to her. Shewanted ittoend.Thefederal bodies were being lyncheddevastated among audiences. Knowing thatBlack The opportunitytotellthispowerful We shot“TheUnited States vs. Billie Billie Holidayin1958 the generosity ofheractivism. understand whoBillie Holiday was and only hopethefilmhelps peoplebetter “Da 5Bloods,” tonamejustafew. Ican Axe,” “Ma Rainey’s BlackBottom” and Messiah,” “One Night inMiami,” “Small Black history: “Judas andtheBlack this year thatcontributetocorrect our Black creators whohave toldstories time, andIstandalongsidemany other history atthisparticular momentin for centuries. against thebrutalhorrors oflynching many otherswhohave beenfighting action. Theyowe thistoBillieandso makers totake longoverdue legislative ultimately helpcompelfederal law- ism andenvironmental racism) and (and policereform andsystemic rac- national conversations aboutlynching States vs. willaddto BillieHoliday” Congress, itismy hopethat“TheUnited act continuestohanginthebalanceof designate lynchingahatecrime. Asthis Antilynching Act, legislationthatwould to passtheproposed EmmettTill 2020, theUnited States Senatefailed out sufficientconcern. in thecaseofBlacktrans women, with- murdered withoutconsequence—and Fruit,” andBlackbodiesare still being years sinceBilliefirstsang“Strange As uprisingswere occurringinJune Here we are in2021,more than80 This filmismy contributiontoBlack 02.17.2020

Holiday: AP Images; Daniels: Ron Eshel/Invision/AP Images

‘Tom & Jerry’ Are on hisdeepcomedy background, with property nearly three years ago, drawing 26 onWarner Bros. andHBOMax. animation hybrid movie thatdebutsFeb. duo are now relaunching inalive-action/ in1946.of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The characters whofirstcametoexist out the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoon “It’s notwar; it’s siblingrivalry.” Tim Story usedoneguidingprinciple: feuds inpopculture history, director In tacklingoneofthemost notorious Still Goingat It The studio approached Story withthe Those rivals would beTom andJerry,

20

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BIZ + BUZZ Rabbit,” a spoofofLosAngelescrime was the1988film“WhoFramed Roger could follow.” humorous, andithadahumanstoryyou did everything Ineededittodo. It was a feature-length format?Thescript do you translate a7-minute shortinto to your face. Thechallengewas: How ately hitonnostalgia.Abigsmilecomes growing up,” Story says. “You immedi- the hospitalitybusiness. Moretz isfakingher way to thetopof ding, where fellow hustlerChloëGrace hotel ontheweekend ofacelebritywed- big city. Fate bringsthem toaluxury mouse andcattryingtomake itinthe life New York just another where they’re mensional splendor, thrustintoareal- depicts thefrenemies intheirtwo-di- Man” and“ThinkLike aMan Too.” — andtheensemblefilms“ThinkLike a grossed closeto$300millionworldwide two midbudgetmovies thattogether and Kevin series— Hart’s “RideAlong” successful franchises including Ice Cube A majorreference fortheproject “It happenedtobemy No. 1cartoon Story’s “Tom &Jerry” reimagining and hitallthosecritical comedicbeats, something toplayagainst. by puppeteers, togive theperformers scale modelofTom thecat, operated development, Story ordered up agray- of tapeonastick,” saysMoretz. Earlyin play broad physical comedywith“a piece Jeong andRob Delaney—whohadto includes MichaelPeña, ColinJost, Ken for thehumanactors—acastthatalso ture, known for.” allthethingsthey’re them fightanddestroy property, furni- into thetone, we couldjustbewacky. Let As longasIcouldgettheactorstobuy template allowed ustohave themost fun. the real world. Ourworld, ourrules. That beingthrownthe sametime, they’re into — theycanbecutinhalfandsmashed.At Story says. “They live by certainrules Tom andJerry areal catandmouse,” territory.enter live-action “LionKing” Jerry notcross thevisualspectrumand was adamantthattheiconicTom and humans astheynever hadbefore. Story noir thatsaw cartoonsminglingwith “If anyone were todothiscorrectly “By nomeanswere we tryingtomake Buying intothattonewas atallorder o f o o i p hat E “a “a ormers c a

rrect st, Ken erate h ar b g p a eats, ly also ra d iece to in y- l d y

By MattDonnelly “ “"Tom &Jerry” Tim Tim Storyonthesetof Moretz anddirector GraceAbove: Chloë the bigscreen Barbera duoback to brought theHanna- How director Tim Story "Tom S tor & Jerr y onthesetof y” with thetechnologyandfreedom of creatively compelling. He “fell inlove and reinvent.” he’s notafraid topushtheenvelope can tellfrom thework he’s donethat it would beTim,” Moretz adds. “You watch therelease witheveryone else.” haven’t seenthefinalcut.We’re goingto speak tomeanymore,” hesays. “They before theygetolderanddon’t want to something Icouldshare withmy kids then watched seven inarow. I wanted see hisfirst ‘Tom &Jerry’ cartoon, he 9-year-old sonwhilehe’s stillakid. could show oneofhisown filmstohis couch together, Iwilltake thatany day.” they want tograb popcornandsitonthe safe enoughtogotheaters, great, butif I want familiestoenjoy it.If theyfeel more eyeballs thanitwould intheaters. degree, asmany have toldme, thismeans to besafe,” Story says. “And toacertain now where it’s more importantforus ies withaudiences, butwe’re inaplace on openingweekend toenjoy my mov- cineplexes andonHBOMax. release model:concurrent openingsin ing outaspartofthecompany’s new & Jerry” isnow oneofthefirstfilmsroll- WarnerMedia vault IPintheaters, “Tom get abetteridea.” have theluxuryofgoingback when you smaller-budgeted movies, andyou don’t movie cametogetherinpost. I’ve done storytelling,” hesays. “So muchofthis mately jumpedintoanimationsohe with theintentionofreinvigorating Story foundhisfirstanimationproject “Upon sittingdown andlettinghim One familyinparticular:Story ulti- “I’m accustomedtotheater-hopping While theproject was conceived 02.17.2021

Tom & Jerry: Warner Bros. (2); Moretz/Story: Daniel Smith/Warner Bros. 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 21

French Remakes Finally Land Stateside IN OUT UP By Elsa Keslassy

an authentic American story with mass appeal, even though it didn’t feature major stars or a well-known director and was made by French producers — albeit not just any French producer. Philippe Rousselet’s Vendôme Group, whose Ashley Huston Ian Stratford Jessica Fischer The recent success of “CODA,” a drama credits include “Source Code,” joined has joined CuriosityStream has left Endeavor after four has been named executive adapted from César-winning French film forces with deep-pocketed French studio as VP of communications. years as senior VP and general VP of finance for Charter “La Famille Bélier” that sold to Apple in Pathé and former Lionsgate boss Patrick She comes to the factual counsel. He’s joined First Look Communications. She joined a record-breaking deal at Sundance, may Wachsberger to assemble the project. streaming service from Media as chief legal officer and the company in 2017 as herald a new era for remakes spearheaded Pathé’s financial backing of “CODA” digital news service Quartz. head of business affairs. senior VP and treasurer. by French producers with Hollywood ties was crucial, as it allowed producers to and European financing. make the movie without a U.S. distribu- Danny Barton Darcus Beese Bryant Barile, Albert Lee U.S. remakes of French movies have tor. That’s seldom how it works. Usually, has joined UTA and has resigned as president and Stephanie Smalling tzer: Universal Music Group; Coda: Sundance Institute Music Group; tzer: Universal had a checkered history. Some titles, like a sales agent or producer sells the remake Klutch Sports as a content of Island Records. He have been promoted to agents James Cameron’s “True Lies,” adapted option to a U.S. producer, and the develop- executive. He was took the helm of the label in the motion picture from “La Totale!,” and more recently the ment doesn’t go anywhere. Other times, previously with Fox Sports. in 2018. literary department at CAA. Kevin Hart-headlined ”The Upside,” a French producer tries to be involved in a remake of critically acclaimed “The the remake and fails to find willing U.S. Michele Harrison Tommy Finkelstein Danielle De Lawder Intouchables,” have been hits. But more co-producer and distributor partners. and Keith Bielory often than not, American remake rights “Historically, the U.S. is a tougher mar- has joined Range Media has exited WarnerMedia to are optioned, only to have projects slip ket because there are thousands of proj- Partners as a manager in become executive VP and have been promoted to away. One notable example is Dany Boon’s ects around, and France has been behind its music division. head of global and legal partner status at A3 Agency. hit comedy “Bienvenue Chez les Cht’is,” Israel, Scandinavia, the U.K. and Spain in She spent the previous affairs for APA. He had been De Lawder has been whose U.S. remake never took off. terms of coming up with strong drama 15 years at Monotone Inc. a longtime business affairs with the agency for 19 years. “Remaking a film for the U.S. and enter- concepts for remakes,” says Federation executive at HBO. Bielory joined in 2015. ing the English-language world is a par- Entertainment’s Pascal Breton. ticular challenge for a French producer, But the climate is changing, says and the reasons are not only cultural but Breton, who is about to attach a U.S. studio also financial because the U.S. has a differ- on the TV series “The Department,” the ent approach to financing,” says Dimitri English-language remake of the French Rassam (“The Little Prince”). spy series “The Bureau.” Anton Capital exec Cecile Gaget notes “France is producing more and more AP Images; Lancaster: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images; Sel Agostini/Invision/AP Evan AP Images; Lancaster: that it’s “useless to sell remake rights to ambitious content,” he notes. A flood of a studio because it will stay on a shelf.” projects, such as Pathé’s remake of Nicolas “CODA” — about a hearing girl who Bedos’ witty romantic comedy “La Belle struggles to break away from her deaf Époque” with producers David Heyman family — was an eye-opening exception. and François Kraus, are set to hit the Kelsey Asbille, Laura Lancaster Attorney Michael Seltzer The film was celebrated at Sundance as global market in the next few years. star of Paramount has left Alcon Entertainment has been promoted by Network’s “Yellowstone," to join Amazon Studios as Universal Music Group to Amy Forsyth, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur star in "CODA." has signed with ICM head of series, starting exec VP of business and legal Partners for representation March 1. Before Alcon, she affairs and head of commercial in all areas. worked in programming transactions. He’d been senior at NBC and Fox. VP with UMG since 2016.

Josef Robey Jen Weinberg Elizabeth Newman and has been named director has left Disney Television Jordan Moblo have been of product for Crown Media Studios to become head promoted to lead the newly Family Networks, parent of talent relations and events formed creative acquisitions company of Hallmark for WarnerMedia. Austin department of Walt Disney Channel. He had been a O’Malia has exited Showtime Television. Newman was VP digital consultant for startup to join WarnerMedia as head of development for Touch- ventures. of awards. stone Television. Moblo was a development executive at 20th Television. Fischer: Charter Communications; Asbille: ImageSPACE/MediaPunch/IPX/ 22 ● BIZ + BUZZ 02.17.2021

How to Go the Distance to the Oscars

The road to the Academy Awards requires love from the Globes and SAG

By Clayton Davis

All awards seasons lead to the Oscars, the King and Waltz cases, their films In best actress, four women have but for an actor or actress to stand on were late-breakers in their respec- emerged as locks for nominations — Viola the Dolby Theatre stage (or as is most tive seasons, and the lack of screeners Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), likely the case this year, accept the stat- reaching voters in time factored into Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”), uette virtually), the Golden Globes and their omissions. Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) SAG awards are the two most influen- This year, studios and strategists are and Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young tial precursors. still hopeful that their contenders can get Woman”). The groundswell and support The SAG Awards have existed since nominated and go the distance to a win. for 86-year-old Sophia Loren was pal- 1995 and quickly established themselves In best actor, Riz Ahmed (“Sound pable when her film “The Life Ahead,” as a place where an actor or actress of Metal”), Chadwick Boseman (“Ma directed by her son Edoardo Ponti, would be recognized by their peers, Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Anthony Hop- dropped in November. Still, the first due to its large crossover with AMPAS kins (“The Father”) and Gary Oldman winner for a foreign-language perfor- voters. In the past 20 years, only three (“Mank”) have shown up in both groups. mance missed out on both bodies, when people have won an Academy Award for Tahar Rahim (“The Mauritanian”) a Globe nomination from the Hollywood AWARDS CIRCUIT acting without garnering, at minimum, landed a Globe nom, while Steven Yeun Foreign Press Assn. should have been a nomination from both the Globes and (“Minari”) nabbed a SAG nod. With a an easy get. Despite mixed reviews for the SAGs: Marcia Gay Harden for 2000’s handful of critics’ wins, Delroy Lindo “Malcolm & Marie,” some still believe Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis “Pollock” in supporting actress (missed (“Da 5 Bloods”) looked like a sure thing in the star power of Zendaya. As for provides his analysis, predictions and Globes and SAG), Christoph Waltz for and a possible spoiler for the Oscars, Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie perspective on the battle for Oscars, 2012’s “Django Unchained” in support- especially if Boseman became a favorite Holiday”), she felt like a potential spoiler Golden Globes and other honors. ing actor (missed SAG) and Regina King for supporting actor for the same film — earlier in the season, before the reviews for 2018’s “If Beale Street Could Talk” but he was snubbed by both the Golden dropped, but her chances of winning now

in supporting actress (missed SAG). In Globes and SAG. seem unlikely. All rights reserved A.M.P.A.S. Guild; Oscar: Albert Watson/© Actors Screen Award: Golden Globes; SAG Golden Globe Award: Richard Ho 02.17.2021 diminished by allthepunches andkicks. not forever, andeventually bodieswillbe peers have anawareness thatMMAis to you? perseverance.” breaking. You have todigdeepandshow like thewinisinevitable. It canbeheart- inside, you’re afraid, butyou have toact “Trash talking, mindgames. Deepdown somewhat alike. He notesthatthetwo professions are is preparing asecondactasthespian. martial artsfighterandformerUFCstar, ilar thanonewould think. and fightinginasteel cageare more sim- Turns outthatworking inHollywood By MattDonnelly Sights onHollywood St-Pierre Sets His MMA Legend Georges says oftheseries. He watched co-stars It was agreat learningexperience,” he come back.Ifeelvery blessedandhappy. master whospeaksFrench. hero of comic booklore isamartialarts asthe ing Batroc. Thecastingisdead-on, Falcon andtheWinter Soldier,” repris- month inDisneyPlus’Marvel series “The ing. Ihave toclimbthemountainagain.” belt. That’s where Ihave tostartwithact- ing. Inmartialarts, you start at white of work andpassionthatIusedfortrain- lot ofwork, andIputinthesameamount French-speaking Quebecnative. “It’s a coaching andEnglishlessons,” says the week. Theater, camera acting, audition and now I’mhaving actingclassevery Claude Van Damme. Vengeance” with childhoodhero Jean- then appeared in2016’s “Kickboxer: he learnedtolove hisnewcraft. He supervillain Batroc theLeaper, where The Winter Soldier,” heplayed the Universe. In2014’s “Captain America: game by joiningtheMarvel Cinematic He’s beendabblinginfilms, uppinghis there’s alotofmentalwork,” hesays. St-Pierre is returning totheMCUnext “I startedtakingitmore seriously, The 39-year-old saysmany ofhis Doesn’t thatsoundlike amovie set “My sport,so sportisa full-contact Georges St-Pierre, theesteemed mixed “No oneismore excited thanIam to GeorgesG St-Pierre time toperform.” business. We are allactors—whenit’s and that’s how Icarriedmyself inthat shy andtruetothevalue ofmartialarts, don’t ignore me,” hesays. “I’mmore gives himself:Love me, hateme, but play arole. That’s thepersonathathe example, he’s playing arole. Fighters character building. a lingeringgiftfrom theworld ofMMA: regimen, St-Pierre sayshetakes withhim motion picture talentdivision. Sports, heisalsoaclientintheagency’s swift attacks.) Longrepresented by CAA Rock —he’s oftencalledtheRush forhis up theiractingchops. the monitorsbetween histakes, soaking Anthony Mackie andSebastianStan from fan-friendly fighter nicknameàlathe and Dwayne Johnson. (He even hasa fighters-turned-actors Dave Bautista that’s asrobust asthoseofnotable St-Pierre ishopingtobuildarésumé eor Firmly in the action-star lane,Firmly intheaction-star “When you seeConorMcGregor, for While committedtohisnewtraining g es St - Pi err e SOURCE: GABELLIRESEARCH ESTIMATES,U.S.CENSUSBUREAU scale demand.Overall, itpointstoaworldwhere sportsbettingbecomesmore to gamblingincreases, othersportsyetlackthereach tosparksuchlarge- unprecedented demand.VIP’sviewisthatwhiletheNFLpostseasonlinked sites experiencingtechnical difficultiesandcrashes duringthegamedueto saw asurgeindownloadsthedayspriortoNFL’sbigday,withmany betting appsfrom Fox FanDuel, onSports DraftKings, Bet, andBet BetMGM with therecent providing SuperBowl atasteof what’stocome.Majorsports sports gamblingmakes clearhowbigthisemerging market willbeintheU.S., an annualvalue of more than$10billionby2028.VIP’slatestspecialreport on it willnearlydoublein2021overtheprevious year,withtheindustryreaching States were allowedtolegalizesportsbettingin2018,andestimatesare that prevalent duringbigevents,particularlyastheNBA, MLBandNHLgaintraction. SPORTS INDUSTRY BETTING TO SKYROCKET 2028E $ 2027E $ 2026E $ 2025E $ 2024E $ 2023E $ 2022E $ 2021E $ 2020E $ 2019 $ 2018 $ 1.1bn 564m 10.1bn 9.5bn 8.8bn 7.9bn 6.9bn 5.3bn 3.6bn 2.1bn 1.2bn VARIETY INTELLIGENCEPLATFORM For moredatafromVIP+,visit VIP+ By GavinBridge

variety.com/vip. VARIETY ● 23

02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 25 OUR TOWN

JUST FOR VARIETY (1)

(1) Neil Patrick Harris spent some of the pandemic film- ing “The Matrix 4” in Berlin. He tells me that he was sur- prised that writer-director (2) Lana Wachowski’s shoot was so “intimate.” “It didn’t feel large because it felt like she was in her sweet spot, which was filming on the fly, filming using natural light,” the Emmy and Tony winner says on this (2) week’s episode of the “Just for Variety” podcast. “Sometimes you’d sit around for an hour waiting for the clouds to clear, and then you’d quickly film. You’d film pages at a time in 30 minutes and then be done.” He adds, “You would think that a giant movie would be 100% storyboarded, animatics, and we’d be checking off shots. I think she lived that before three times over, and I would suspect that she wants to do things her own way now. It wasn’t often that you felt that you were doing something gigantic because she made it feel very intimate.”

Images; Images; Harris’ most recent work is in Russell T. Davies’ “It’s a Sin,” HBO Max’s new limited series about a group of gay friends in London at the start of the AIDS epidemic. During (3) our chat, Harris recalls when he became aware of AIDS. It was the mid to late ’80s, and his agent’s assistant got sick. “It was profound, because at that time it was still early on, and it was still so loaded with a quiet, hushed discussion, a level of shame or concern that made me unable to really have a dialogue about it,” says the actor, who was a teen then. “I was just given information and processed it. And that was it. I never really got to say goodbye.” … Ted Sarandos will host a virtual toast to the talent behind Netflix’s 42 Golden Globe nominations on Feb. 27. Festivities start at noon PT. … (4) How did (3) Susanne Bier come to direct “First Lady,” Showtime’s upcoming anthology about the wives of America’s presidents? It started with a text from (4) Sandra Bull- ock, the star of Bier’s 2018 Netflix hit “Bird Box,” saying that (5) Viola Davis wanted to talk to the Danish director. Before Bier knew it, Davis, who is not only portraying Michelle Obama in the series but also executive producing with her husband, Julius Tennon, was calling and asked her to direct. “She said, ‘And by the way, you have to direct the whole thing, and it’s probably nine or 10 episodes,’” Bier tells me from Atlanta, where she’s prepping the project. “And I was like, ‘No, no, no, no.’ And then she said, ‘Yeah.’ And then I found myself not really capable of not obeying.” It was announced last month that Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford. No word on additional casting, but I can tell you it doesn’t sound like Melania Trump will be among the first ladies depicted. (5) Bier is coming off the huge success of “The Undoing.” She would love to tackle a sec- ond season of the HBO limited series: “I think it would be so much fun. And I know that Nicole [Kidman] agrees with me, and I think… Hugh [Grant] agrees with me too.” Last week I told you about the Louis Vuitton men’s pop-up on Rodeo Drive. If you can’t make it to the shop, LV by Appointment brings a capsule store to you. A chic little fully staffed trailer is driven to your home so you can browse and choose from a selection of pieces customized for you, including leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories Harris: Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images; Wachowski: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP Images; Bier: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP Images; Wachowski: MAX/IPx/AP Tine/STAR Harris: Dennis Van Bullock: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/AP Images; Davis: Birdie Thompson/AdMedia/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images Thompson/AdMedia/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images; Davis: Birdie Agency/AP Collin/Image Press Bullock: Xavier and more. It’s available in the L.A. area through mid-March. 26 12 1 • 3 nizations. $12, donation willbesplitbetween theorga- systemic inequality. Inaddition,a$100k zations thattacklehomelessnessand will bedonatedtooneoffourorgani- ees. For every pairofsockssold,a by thebrand’s Black-identifying employ- Collection was envisioned andrealized • 2 strength. $2,500, honors, andtosignifygrounding and gold, torepresent theBlacklives it onyx, paired withdiamondsand18-karat Godfrey the NAACP. Designer • 1 history andculture. uct launchesthatpay homagetoBlack tions spotlightingBlackartiststoprod- and show support—from collabora- rounded upahandfulofways to shop continue through February, we’ve As BlackHistory Month celebrations By LesleyMcKenzie Gifts That Give Back Black History Month Black Onyx Heart Talisman benefits fine jewelry brand Harwell Godfrey’s Apple Watch Series 6payshomageto Bombas’ gender-neutral BlackHive San Black-owned Francisco-based, The limited-edition BlackUnityThe limited-edition ● OUR TOWN crafted thependantinblack bombassocks.com harwellgodfrey.com Lauren Harwell 2 5 5

Black Joy Perfect Tee Shirt,$30, Black women inSouthFlorida.Custom leadership ofBlackandbrown youth and Change, whichfocusesondeveloping the will donatetoPower U—CenterforSocial the streets indefenseofBlacklives. Levi’s cal struggle andthosewhohave taken to that honorthelegacyofBlackpoliti- Steez • 5 trnk-nyc.com/pages/resistance-resilience 100. Printsstart at$110 (unframed), will bedonatedtoBlackYouth Project identity andactivism.Partial proceeds Felli Maynard Myesha Evon Gardner ists —including featuring theworks of11Blackart- ital exhibition, Resistance/Resilience, design studioTRNK,hascurated adig- • 4 civil rights. Starting at$399, organizations thatfightforequalityand giant hascommittedtosupportingsix tory andculture, duringwhichthetech celebrate andacknowledge Blackhis- is partofApple’s monthlongrollout to engravingUnity” onthecase. Thelaunch the Pan-African flagandfeatures a“Black 4 Tariq Dixon Levi’s hasteamedwithartist on a collection featuring graphics on acollectionfeaturinggraphics , founderofNYC-based — whoseworks explore Amandla Baraka and apple.com 3 levi.com levi.com 3 Felicita Fresco , known for hisroles in“Weeds” and (right) announced his engagement (right) announcedhisengagement witnessing theentire birthingpro- partner,” hewrote inanInstagram cess, Ifelt adeeperlove for mylife Logan wrote onInstagram. Logan to the 2018 games in Pyeongchang, the 2018gamesinPyeongchang, bronze medal infigure skating at named welcomed theirfirst child, ason named gay U.S. athletetomedalatthe Rippon became thefirst openly revealed hispartner’sidentity. welcomed hisfirst child,ason “Think Like aMan.” He hasnot South Korea. Kajaala isareal post Feb. 8. Malco isanactor Morning America”onFeb. 10. He was worth every second,” He waswortheverysecond,” Feb. 9.“After44 hrs of labor Jussi-Pekka Kajaala is aformer WWEstar;Rowe is a WWEsuperstar known Olympics when he won the whenhewonthe Olympics Sarah Logan and estate developer. by thenameErik. Raymond CashRowe Brave Raymond Rowe RaymondRowe RomanyMalco Adam Rippon AdamRippon , on Jan. 22. “After “After , onJan.22.

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● 27 ,

From producers and directors to actors and artisans, women of color have made critically acclaimed contributions to the films of 2020. Variety talks with a number of potential honorees.

Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams on politics, representation and an Oscar season like no other

Photographs by AB + DM

Black Women of Awards Season

conversation. Davis, one of the in- dustry’s most celebrated actors, is being lauded for her performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and is considered a lead contender in this year’s Oscar race; Abrams produced the award-winning documentary “All In: The Fight for Democracy,” which was just shortlisted for an Academy Award, contending as a documentary feature. Davis’ name has become synon- ymous with awards season, as evi- denced by her mantelpiece, which boasts an Oscar, two Tonys, three Drama Desk Awards and an Emmy for her work on screen and stage. Her rousing remarks when accepting the supporting actress Oscar in 2017 for “Fences” underscore her unabashed honesty about the business she works in: “People ask me all the time, ‘What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?’ And I say, ‘Exhume those bod- ies, exhume those stories — the sto- ries of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams come to fruition.’” Regarding the awards season mael- strom, Davis says, “It’s a platform. It’s n; Clothing: Eloquii (Opposite page) Clothing:Misho Designs St. John; Earrings: page) n; Clothing: Eloquii (Opposite another microphone. It’s another opportunity to open my mouth and Agency; Touch Christina Aviles/Star Manicure: son/Epiphany Artist Group; speak a really fundamental truth about Hollywood and this business and, really, America.” Abrams is a game changer, cred- ited with helping to turn her home state of Georgia blue in the 2020 presidential election, which was a major factor in Donald Trump los- ing the White House to Joe Biden, Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams and earned her a Nobel Peace Prize know how to harness their power. nomination. Her “All In” documen- These bold, towering figures may tary, which she produced with film- come from vastly different profes- makers Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés, sional backgrounds, but the outspo- recounts Abrams’ own election story ken women share much in common, — losing the 2018 Georgia gubernato- not the least of which is giving voice rial race to Republican Brian Kemp, to pertinent issues in their respective with fewer than 55,000 votes standing fields and attaining success in their between the candidates amid claims careers against all odds. of extensive voter suppression. The Their primary connection, how- film also traces the history of voting ever, lies within their core princi- rights in America and the nefarious ples. They are both Black women who maneuvers that have been deployed have worked their way from poverty to deprive people of that right. to pop culture prominence and then As she navigates her freshman used their spheres of influence to cre- awards season with “All In,” Abrams ate opportunities and make space for says: “It’s an extraordinary thing to other Black women to follow. know that the intent of the film has As the intersection between enter- been recognized. The goal was to pro- tainment and politics continues to vide Americans with the tools they meld, their mutual success has land- needed to identify and mitigate voter ed Davis and Abrams smack in the suppression and that constant attack (Previous spread) Davis’ Styling: Elizabeth Stewart/The Wall Group; Makeup: Sergio Lopez River/Cloutier Remix; Hair: Jamika Wil Remix; Hair: Jamika River/Cloutier Sergio Lopez Makeup: Group; Wall spread) Davis’ Styling: Elizabeth Stewart/The (Previous middle of Hollywood’s film awards on their citizenship.” Morgan/@theiquee Paulette Styling: Iman Ramadan; Hair and Makeup: Abrams’ Moraes; Clothing: Larissa Stella McCartney; Earrings:

Black Women of Awards Season

Davis’ and Abrams’ respect for one another was on full display in an exclusive conversation for Variety’s cover story and video shoot. As polit- ical leader Abrams transitions from election season to awards season, Davis wholeheartedly welcomes her into the fold. When asked what it means to have her name associated with Abrams’, Davis says, “It’s a reflection and a confirmation that I’m living my life on a higher level than what I do [as an actor]. “I’ve always wanted to lead a life of significance. I’ve always wanted to leave breadcrumbs — like my mentor, Miss Cicely Tyson, did for me — and leave the world a little shifted by my presence. Not everyone can be a Martin Luther King Jr., but they can be who they are and make a difference in the life of someone. That’s what Stacey Abrams means to me. My God, she shifted the whole election; she shifted the whole state of Georgia.” In any normal year, Abrams and Davis would be greeting each other on the awards circuit in a crowded ballroom, accepting accolades dur- ing an awards luncheon or a televised gala. Instead, because of COVID- 19 precautions, the pair are catching up over Zoom, reflecting on the year that’s past and what’s to come. Here is an edited transcript of their conversation.

Stacey Abrams: I had the first occa- sion to get to know you — without you having any idea I existed — because I watched you do one of the most sear- ing and captivating episodes of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” You were this criminal mastermind who so deeply loved her children that you were willing to betray your oath. The way you just embodied this wo- man who was so deeply conflicted. When you’re watching a show — I love procedurals, but they become very rote — I remember watching that epi- sode thinking, “My God, she is good.” That was before “How to Get Away With Murder.” It was before the Academy Awards, Tony Awards and Emmy Awards. It was before the world understood what an extraor- dinary talent you are. I remember, because when you can take that kind of character in a 45-minute proce- dural and make it that indelible, you are incredibly talented. Producers and performers documentary filmmaking,” the diaspora, is so much three or four Black women Laverne Cox and Kerry Washington Washington explains. about our bodies belonging in the room. We didn’t have “We’ve had an ecosystem of to other people. So to be one lesbian in the room; on making their own dishonesty and lack of trans- able to really have agency we really had inclusivity. opportunities and achieving parency in our leadership to call the shots, to be able It’s really powerful creating real inclusivity on set and gaslighting on an institu- to be the storytellers, is opportunities where people tional, structural level. That very empowering. feel safe to bring their has made us all really want perspectives to the table to know the truth, speak the What is one change you and don’t have to carry the truth, teach the truth.” were able to implement weight of being “the only” as a producer that you’re while they do that. Why did you start particularly proud of? producing? Cox: “Disclosure” director When is the first time that Laverne Cox: My twin Sam Feder said, “I want you remember feeling seen brother always tells me the this film to be by trans people for your work? Laverne Cox and Kerry window? How do we just let truth. Many years before I completely. I want a mostly Cox: It was 2014. I was in Washington know all too the whole wall come down, had a breakout moment trans crew, and when we can- L.A. for the Emmys for my well what it’s like to be “the so that more people can get as an actor and I [was in] not find a transgender person first nomination. We made first,” as well as the mix of in?’ That is the challenge of acting school, wanting to to fill a role, I want to have eye contact across the room, pride, pressure and respon- being a first something.” have a mainstream acting that cisgender person men- and I was like, “Oh, my God, sibility that comes with it. Cox, who recently career, my brother was like, tor a trans person.” He also Kerry Washington” — utterly That’s why they’re working appeared in “Promising “You’re Black and you’re had this idea that every single star-struck. Then you walked to ensure that they’re pro- Young Woman,” and Wash- trans — that’s not going to person on-screen was paid. up to me and said, “How does viding opportunities for ington, who starred in “The happen. You should produce It’s a really interesting model it feel to make history?” I underrepresented artists Prom,” have been lending your own work.” Producing for documentary filmmaking could cry thinking about it both on-screen and behind their star power as produc- came out of wanting to that I want to try to incor- because it was so sweet and the scenes. ers to promote sociopolitical have some kind of con- porate in the future. welcoming. So I don’t remem- “All day Inauguration Day causes beyond Hollywood. trol over my career. Everyone in our film works ber the first time I felt seen I was wearing my shirt that Cox, who produced “Dis- Kerry Washington: There’s in the business and often are for my work, but I remember has [Vice President Kamala closure,” has been making something about the agency the only trans people on set. the first time I felt seen Harris’] face as a little girl, docs since 2007 (winning a — like, I get to control my So many of them talked about by Kerry. and it says, ‘The first, but not Daytime Emmy for “The T body, myself, my story — that walking onto our set and Washington: I totally the last.’ Because that has Word” in 2015), with plans to is so necessary to us feeling everywhere they looked there remember it. I think my to be the message,” Washing- move into scripted content. like the women we were was a trans person. And that question to you was to also ton says. “The goal can’t be to Conversely, Washington’s meant to be. Our history [as was so integral in telling the say, “You’re not alone.” It be the only one in the room.” Simpson Street banner has Black women], particularly story of transgender repre- was at a point in “Scandal” Cox agrees: “The ques- produced a litany of scripted in this country but all over sentation on-screen. where the “history” was such tion for me has always been, work, but “The Fight” is its Washington: I had a simi- a part of the conversation. ‘How do we keep the door first documentary. lar experience on “Little I wanted you to know what open? How do we open a “This feels like a really Fires.” We knew we were a fan I was, but also that important moment for us to telling a story about mother- you’re not alone. be grappling with truth, and hood, race and class, so we I think that’s why a lot of peo- cast this writers’ room to ple are gravitating toward have somebody who could speak to [every topic] from a personal perspective. But we also didn’t have one Black Portraits: Nicole Rifkin Portraits: woman in the room. We had Black Women of Awards Season

Rashida Jones and I was 12, and she would say, I struggled with [speaking would hold my breath until Dominique Fishback “Oh, my goodness, where up] too, because I don’t I read the whole script [think- did that come from?” [So] want to seem ungrateful. ing], “Am I going to have a on recognizing the power I always felt like I had some- I’m grateful to be here, and conversation with the direc- of their voices thing. I started acting at the so many people don’t get to tors or producers, because I MCC Youth Company, where be here, but just because need to be represented right?” they took inner-city youth I’m grateful doesn’t mean You can’t just plug me into from around New York. I have to be walked over. an Italian family. You have to I was 15 and learning about consider my family and what’s myself onstage, and they Rashida, in “On the Rocks,” important to me. I can have would say, “Your voice mat- you tell Bill Murray, who those conversations openly; ters. How do you want to say plays your womanizing that’s such a huge relief to it?” I think that stayed with father, “You have to start me, and it was not like that Before Rashida Jones Over the past two decades, me, so I would navigate listening to women’s voices.” the first 10 years of my career switched from plans for law the writer, producer, direc- the world moving forward Have you had that experi- because I didn’t have the school to acting in the late tor and “On the Rocks” star knowing I had a voice. ence personally? power. I think I was scared to 1990s, she was immersed in has seen a shift. “People are In other theater compa- Jones: I’ve had that experi- feel like I was freedom fight- the arts. Jones, the daughter anxious to be [like], ‘What do nies, they would try to change ence many times in my career. ing in a place where I didn’t of entertainment icons Quincy you think? What do you have [my writing] and they would I try to take those things in have a lot of authority. Jones and Peggy Lipton, grew to say?’ There is an appetite call it “editing.” I would text stride, and I’ve tried to let it up with the idea that “If you now, which is really nice,” them and say, “This is my build character and not bitter- Dominque, what was is have something to say, you Jones says. piece; you can’t remove me. ness. Because the truth is, like to work on “Judas and should say it.” Dominique Fishback, This is my voice, and if you there’s still some of it, [though] the Black Messiah”? “It didn’t occur to me that who has earned Oscar buzz want to use my concept, then it’s definitely better. I feel Fishback: It’s a boy’s there was a reason that I could with her breakout role as say that the original writer like, from the pipeline studio club, and I was nervous if be shut down,” Jones recalls. Deborah Johnson in “Judas does not approve of this.” level to the casting level to the my jokes would land. Am I But Hollywood had other and the Black Messiah,” Rashida Jones: How development level, everybody going to be included? But that ideas — and as a Black woman hasn’t been in Hollywood as did you, at such a young in the business is moving wasn’t an issue at all. The in the industry, she quickly long, but she’s faced similar age, know that you had to toward showing better and level of care and respect they noticed a pattern. obstacles. The actor, play- protect that? more accurate representation showed was incredible. It “I realized that it had noth- wright and poet learned Fishback: I think, ultimately, of the actual demography was never [about] ego, and ing to do with me. There’s the value of her voice while I knew that if I didn’t have in this country, including never disrespectful. It was a systemic thing at work that coming up in the theater, as anything else, I have my women and women of color. always supportive. I just happen to be not reap- she experienced incidents voice. My words — and our I learned how to trust ing the benefits from,” Jones of her work being “edited,” words — are forever. What did you make of Black men because Shaka explains. “There’s been many when in her estimation her how Black identity was [King] made my voice matter, times in my career [where] perspective was actually handled in “On the Rocks”? allowed me to be heard and I’ll say something or have an being erased. The two actors It’s not really the key always gave me credit where idea and it’s just washed over. discuss how they developed part of the storyline or credit is due. And then 30 minutes later, an the confidence to take control explicitly mentioned. hour later, a day later, a white of their own narrative. Jones: In the ’90s, because man says it and everybody’s of my name and the way I like, ‘What a great idea.’” When was the first time looked, I’d go to castings and you remember feeling seen people would make assump- for your work? tions about what I was going Dominique Fishback: My to look like. There wasn’t mom is a schoolteacher, and a ton of mixed representa- I would write poems when tion on TV at the time, and I Nicole Rifkin Portraits: Viola Davis: I loved that serial killer role for all the reasons you men- tioned; it was a chance for me not to be warm and fuzzy. The first time I met you was at a political fundraiser for Fair Fight. I was so nervous that I forgot all the things that I should have said. I thought, “I have to drive the point home of how important this elec- tion is. And I have to impress Stacey Abrams.” I forgot all of it because I’m very shy, introverted by nature. I sat in the corner, and then I listened to you speak. And I heard the voice of a visionary and a leader.

Abrams: Whatever it was that you planned to say, I don’t know, but you were extraordinary that day; when I got up there [onstage], I thought, “I’m gonna ask her to do my eulogy.” What is so important about how you enter spaces is that you bring such thoughtfulness to the issues that face our communities. You aren’t someone who is an actress or pro- Viola Davis stars in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s classic play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” ducer who happens to do activism. You embody this notion that we are where the state flag also included the going to get better. Winning these responsible for the world we’re in. Confederate emblem. I know what Senate seats wasn’t about “Yes, now that means. I know that despite all the we get to have everything we want.” Davis: I feel like we’re in a period attempts to wrap that story in venera- It was one more injection, one more where for me, I’ve had to harness tion and heritage, it is fundamentally a pill, one more opportunity for us to my anger. I’ve almost had to com- conversation about my humanity. take our medicine and try to do better partmentalize it. I absolutely believe It is a conversation we continue to for our people. that this last year has driven home the have 100 years after wars have been And I think that one of the rea- point that we are in a war of ideology fought, and 50 years after laws have sons you and your characters res- and ethos. We just are. been finally eviscerated — at least onate with me so much is that you What was it like watching the inau- on the books — yet we continue to seem so intentional about how you guration, watching everything that grapple with questions of humanity. are going to reconcile your space and you and a lot of Black women have Who’s entitled to dignity and access? how you’re going to enter this world. fought for? Not just what it felt like, Who’s entitled to want and to dream When I learned about JuVee Prods. but to express how far we need to go and to have? [which Davis formed in 2011 with and what it is that we need to do? For me, the inauguration is a husband Julius Tennon], about your I had a conversation with someone reminder that voting, that democracy, decision to take the reins into your last night. I said, “There needs to be isn’t magic. There is nothing about own hands, I see that as a continua- a reconciliation of the past.” I’m not democracy that’s magic. It is work. tion of what we saw on Inauguration talking in the abstract; I’m talking It is hard work. Day — people who are so often dis- about policies that have been put in But it’s also medicine. There is a dis- counted becoming their directors and place — everything from the war on ease of racism that is embedded in the “It was a joy to producers, creating their own lives. drugs to Jim Crow to the Black Codes, veins of America. There is a disease of to the privatization of prisons. We had bigotry that winds its way throughout play someone Davis: I took the reins out of neces- a Supreme Court decision, Plessy v. how we’ve made our rules and who has who was that sity. There aren’t movies that are Ferguson, that dictated 100 years of access — [plus] sexism, homophobia, emotionally free being done and developed with any- policies that have suppressed us. How this broader construct of xenophobia. and Black. With one like me in mind. I’m a 55-year-old do you reconcile that? What is your I want us to remember that America dark-skinned woman in Hollywood. sense of pride in what happened with is this extraordinary ideal, but it’s also Ma, she had the I’m still in the “maid,” the “urban the last election? an attempt every day to be better, to freedom of being mother crying over her dead son’s acknowledge, to reconcile the whole absolutely who body in the middle of the road” cate- Abrams: I grew up in Mississippi of who we are. By ourselves, none of she was because gory. I’m not seen as sexual. The most under a state flag that until this year us are powerful enough to get it done. basic fundamentals of what makes a was the Confederate battle flag of trai- But together, we make progress. she gave herself woman do not trickle down to me. tors who went to war to keep our peo- The inauguration wasn’t about permission.” For me to get those roles and be

David Lee/Netflix ple enslaved. I came of age in Georgia, magic, and that suddenly everything’s — Viola Davis seen in that way, I had to create and Black Women of Awards Season

develop them myself. I had to find Abrams: I’ve followed the industry “The dimensions we have, there’s someone with less. those emerging artists like myself for a very long time. I’ve always been Your job is to serve that person.” We who are on the periphery. There’s fascinated by the arts. [Now] having that come with film, were raised with the service ethic, still resistance in exploring our full been in a pitch meeting and having with the ability to but they also took us with them to pathology — I always use the word had a concept like “I’d like to do a doc- say, ‘I want the vote. Because what they taught us is “pathology,” because pathology is a umentary about voter suppression.” story to be told,’ that the fact that they treat you wrong study of tumors, what makes a tumor I didn’t think I could do it. doesn’t mean you give them permis- malignant or benign. What are the ori- I think the thing that was stunning and for the story to sion to do it again and again. gins of it? A psychological pathology is to me was the translation of thought be so real, raw and I always begin with a question of [asking] “What makes a person tick?” into action, and how both fluid and complicated, is “How can I help?” If you start by chas- There’s still resistance to under- unreal the process can be. I met Liz fascinating to me.” tising someone for not voting, you standing what makes us tick. And Garbus and her team, I described are ignoring the real, legitimate and that’s where art lives. It was my what I wanted, they described what — Stacey Abrams authentic pain they feel. The conver- chance to not do that for myself; it they did, they introduced me to Lisa sation I had with an elderly man who was my chance to do that for other Cortés, and then there was a movie. had never voted in his life because people of color. As a writer, I understand how things he grew up in intergenerational pov- I got “How to Get Away With Mur- go from thought to paper. You meet erty — his parents were sharecrop- der,” and that’s when my career this character you’ve created in your pers — wasn’t “You should vote.” It shifted. And all I was, was exhausted. head, and you get to keep revisiting it. was “What do you need?” I sat next to a life strategist at a party. The dimensions that come with film, Sometimes we need to vote out of I said, “Why is it that so many peo- with the ability to say, “I want the story revenge: Your failure to do your job ple on the top seem miserable?” And to be told,” and for the story to be so real, to serve me is cause enough for me to he said, “Viola, because they thought raw and complicated, is fascinating remove you from office. I think ven- that they hit it. That success was the to me. It was also the ability for me to geance gets a bad rap. We see it as top. But it’s not. It’s significance. It’s speak [my idea] to others, and to have sort of evil. If you aren’t willing to do transcendence. It’s leaving a legacy.” them tell me what they saw and to your job, you don’t deserve your job. My head exploded, because that’s see all of those pieces come together. “All In” is about how this has hap- what it is: It’s leaving a legacy. What has also been an amazing dis- pened primarily to people of color, to Every time I portray a character, I covery is the deep humanity of the young people and poor people. When want to honor that Black person that people I’ve met here — like you, Audra you have been removed from your I’m portraying. By filtering and water- McDonald, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry God-given capacity to be heard, when ing it down, it’s doing the same thing Washington, Bradley Whitford and so your citizenship has been denuded by as the so-called oppressor is doing, many others who’ve [had] the deep the feeble ministries of means, and which is [saying], “You’re not good humanity and the willingness to help this fear of not having enough power, enough for me” or “I don’t want to make things real — it’s reaffirming. I want you to be angry enough — not see you” or “You’ve got to water and enraged, so you have no clear thought filter yourself down enough so it’s not Davis: The one thing that has struck — to be angry enough to show up and an indictment of me.” me with this whole political process say, “No more.” are people who don’t vote. I was watch- It goes back to making sure that Abrams: What have been your favor- ing the news one day, watching it as when you’re stirring people up, you ite projects so far? Viola, the little girl growing up in pov- don’t do it in a way that says, “If you erty in Central Falls [Rhode Island]. vote, things will change.” It’s “If Davis: “How to Get Away With Mur- There was something inside my brain you don’t vote, you will be damned, der” was a big one. It was my chance that said, “I can understand why peo- because they will continue to hurt you. to create a woman. With Black wo- ple don’t vote.” Why not just take a swing at maybe men, we still had been an extension of You had boots on the ground. I want stopping the hurt? Maybe getting our history, of being seen as chattel, to know some of the stories that you something good?” as being seen as so strong that we’re heard from people who don’t vote. I want to shift [the conversation], almost masculine, as not feeling any What’s the machine behind it? because one of the most extraordi- pain, as not being desired and not nary characters you’ve embodied being embraced. Abrams: The image you crafted of came of age [during Plessy] and is so It was my chance to explore wom- yourself, just remembering being a complicated because of this, and that anhood, explore the mess, and even young girl growing up in poverty. The is Ma Rainey. It’s not just the gender explore the parts of ourselves that are work I do begins there. of Ma Rainey that stands out, but it sexually traumatized. What does it I grew up in a working poor family is how effectively you embody all of look like when we take off our wigs? of eight. We were in a world where my those tensions of being a citizen who Or when we put them back on? It was parents did all the things you’re told is Black and a woman in America. Can my chance to create a human being to do; they worked full time, they’d you talk about not just your time as and to do so on my terms. gone to college in the era of Jim Crow, Ma Rainey, but the fact that you’ve Seeing that you’re venturing into and still racism and sexism stopped been so embedded in August Wilson’s the world of Hollywood, what is the them from getting the things they stories of Blackness in America? one idea about it that has blown your were willing to work to get. mind — or the one discovery, if you’ve My parents were so intentional Davis: When there are stories of had one? with us, saying, “No matter how little Blackness in America, they stay Radha Blank and One of the themes these a day acknowledging the is nominated at that level, Channing Godfrey Peoples films have in common is fact that the slaves in Texas that would create an oppor- how they look at ownership didn’t find out they were free tunity to make the next film. persevered to bring for Black people — how did for two and a half years, so It means you’ve been given their projects to the screen that relate to your journey thematically my characters this validation, the stamp of as filmmakers? are examining what freedom approval. And if we could do Channing Godfrey Peoples: means to each of them. it, then surely there’s some- I had the first ideas for the Radha Blank: So much of one right there behind us. film probably a decade ago, what I really experienced as Then there’s the other part but [my husband and pro- a creative is reflected in the of me that says our films have ducing partner, Neil Creque film; I think that’s what I do historically been overlooked Williams and I], in earnest, with my frustration around for decades. But for me, it’s pushed the film up the hill for not being seen, not being an opportunity to be a sym- about seven years and had to valued. We need more of us bol for the young person who Last January, Radha Blank one Black story or storyteller explain what Juneteenth is. in that greenlighting posi- needs it, because they may and Channing Godfrey Peo- isn’t carrying the load of And during that time, people tion, the gatekeeper posi- see that as a particular pin- ples were in Park City, Utah, Black existence.” weren’t jumping up and down tion, but we also need more nacle of success. anxiously awaiting their The specificity through to produce a film about a lit- of us working side by side, Godfrey Peoples: I think respective Sundance debuts which the two tell their tales tle-known day. It’s interesting to be our advocates. I don’t all these Black women that of “The Forty-Year-Old Ver- sets each film apart, Godfrey because we released the film know if I would’ve been able have been passed over for that sion” and “Miss Juneteenth,” Peoples explains, but the in 2020, and George Floyd’s to make the movie I wanted particular kind of award have films they had each fought for core goal remains the same — murder happened right to make if it wasn’t for Lena been deserving [of winning]. six years to get financed. telling stories that celebrate around the that time. In one Waithe being my producer. None of us are here by acci- Blank says she was “imme- Black women. respect, I appreciated that She was the only person who dent. If you actually go into diately invested” in Godfrey “It was not easy to make people finally learned what did not ask me to compro- our background, you will see Peoples’ movie, “because you a film with a Black woman’s Juneteenth was now, but I mise one thing — from my all the work that we’ve put can’t help but also look for humanity up front. I didn’t think that there’s a whole appearance to how I speak to in, in order to be here. Every- things that are affirming get to see that as often as I education we have to do for who I cast. I got to make my one has different stories, what it is that you want to do wanted in cinema, and that people to really, really get movie because another Black but at the end of the day, we’ve and say in the world.” She inspired me to make these what it is. Our film celebrates woman was like, “Yeah, approached these films with adds: “The level of variety of kinds of stories,” Godfrey we’ll support you.” love and passion, but also Black stories takes the pres- Peoples says. “Radha and I craftsmanship and determi- sure off me. It means that both made films in totally You’ve both earned acco- nation and drive. And yes, different regions that have lades from the Gotham we absolutely deserve to touched on gentrification and Awards and Independent be considered. Black communities and pre- Spirit Awards, plus AFI and serving culture, and you have National Board of Review to be passionate about doing honors. To date, a Black that because I don’t think it’s woman has never been been seen as commercial or nominated for a best direc- viable or safe, or everybody tor Oscar. What would that would be doing it.” signify if it happens? Blank: I’m sometimes at odds around what the awards are, who is giving them, and to whom, because there’s one part of my brain that

Portraits: Nicole Rifkin Portraits: knows if any Black woman Black Women of Awards Season

Costume designers an interesting profession to moving at the pace I was Las Vegas, and during that Francine Jamison-Tanchuck express yourself.” moving because I wanted to time there was a tribute to Charlese Antoinette Jones: learn as much as I could. Joe Louis, and every boxer and Charlese Antoinette I was into old period films and known to man was there. Jones on influences, a couple of epic films. I grew Charlese, with “Judas I saw Muhammad Ali in this inspirations and taking up up Christian and was allowed and the Black Messiah” wonderful tuxedo coming to watch [only] certain movies. you had to re-create the through the lobby. So those space in Hollywood I remember watching “Ben- look of Black Panther things I recall. Hur” over and over for the leader Fred Hampton and costumes. I didn’t realize this his followers. How did When was the first time was a career until I moved to you go about doing that? you remember feeling seen New York. Antoinette Jones: The for your work? majority of the clothing Jamison-Tanchuck: When Who opened the door and was vintage. We were sourc- our peers are excited, it’s very mentored you? ing clothes from all over the rewarding. [But] I remem- Jamison-Tanchuck: There country. We were eBaying ber when my nephew saw “She opened a lot of doors to pigeonhole her talent. was an opportunity that was like crazy, finding vintage “Glory” in school, he stood for us,” “Judas and the Black “At one point, there was that starting through affirmative pieces. We were shipping up and said, “That’s my aunt Messiah” costume designer feeling of ‘Does a woman action, inviting people of clothes from L.A. I went to Francine.” I got a little embar- Charlese Antoinette Jones know how to capture a war color to come into the indus- Fresno and met a vintage rassed because I thought, says of Ruth E. Carter’s film?’ I thought, ‘Watch me,’” try. I applied and got into the dealer. He had a warehouse “Does my name have to go historic Oscar win in cos- she recalls. program from 450 applicants. of ’60s [clothing]. I filled my from one end of the screen to tume design for her work on The pair detail their Hol- I was an apprentice and had van. That’s the part of my the other?” “Black Panther.” “I’ve seen lywood journeys, discussing to work at four different stu- job that I love. It’s so much Antoinette Jones: Yes! more people requesting Black the triumphs and challenges dios within a year, and I made fun — the procuring and You have to take up space. designers this year — defi- they faced and revealing $100 a week. My mentors the research. My name takes up a whole nitely due to her win, but how they learned to defy ex- were Bernard Johnson and at screen. And maybe that’s the also partially due to the social pectations as Black women one point I worked on a film Francine, “One Night answer to the question about climate. Even me being con- behind the scenes. with the famed Edith Head. in Miami” centers on a Black women as well — we sidered [for awards] right Antoinette Jones: The reimagined conversation just have to unapologetically now is due to her winning What movie or costume biggest hurdle for me is among Malcolm X, Sam keep taking up space. and laying this groundwork.” inspired you to become the fact that I wasn’t able to Cooke, Jim Brown and Francine Jamison-Tan- a designer? secure a mentor. I would Muhammad Ali. That meant chuck has logged more than Francine Jamison- see white people who were that you were also design- 40 years in the industry, with Tanchuck: I’ve been design- walked through the steps — ing costumes to evoke the Civil War epic “Glory” ing and making costumes getting that help and moving a similar period in civil marking her first film as lead since I was 7 years old. I up quickly. [But] I was fine rights history. What was designer. But she says she’s started doing things on my your approach? often faced skepticism from dolls, and I started making Jamison-Tanchuck: My an industry that sought my clothes to match, and dad was a huge Sam Cooke vice versa. I’ve always been fan. I remember how Sam a movie buff. I saw Dorothy Cooke was on the front Dandridge’s “Carmen Jones,” of these albums and how he and I thought, “Wow, what would look so wonderful and handsome. I also worked as an assis- tant to [“Rain Man” costume designer] Bernie Pollack in Nicole Rifkin Portraits: metaphoric, so that people can walk told, fully realized. Even if they’re not “This last year munities to create change. [People out of the movie theater and talk likable, even if they’re so-called “not has driven home of color] aren’t an afterthought. We about all the intellectual ideas, but pretty” — and that’s a big one for me — are a central theme. The reason I’m they don’t get to spend time with us, even if they’re not heterosexual, even the point that so intentional about acknowledging without humanity, to see what makes if they’re mad at God. It’s an honor to we are in a others is that I’ve watched people do us tick. That’s why August lets us talk. work with people whose entire vision war of ideology good things and get lionized for it, With Ma Rainey, one of the lines is to further stories of people of color, and ethos.” and when they make a mistake, every- that stood out for me — because it people who share your vision. And thing they built crumbles, because it has taken me a lifetime to get to this here’s what I want to know: if you’re — Viola Davis wasn’t about the work, it was about point: “Ma listens to her heart. Ma proud of yourself for all the things the person. listens to the voice inside of her; that’s that you have done. Oftentimes it’s So yes, I am proud. I’m always all that counts with Ma.” By the time hard for us to feel that, as women of delighted when the things I want to you meet her in this piece, she will be color, that sense of achievement. do come to fruition. I am proud of rendered obscure. This is one woman the work I do, but I never want the who is called the “Godmother of the Abrams: My partner in crime is [Fair most important work — the ensemble Blues,” and yet nobody knows her. She Fight CEO] Lauren Groh-Wargo; I work — to be discredited. That’s the will be buried in obscurity. reference her because I always want piece that drives me most. It was interesting to play a woman to acknowledge the work done by who has that inside of her, but that others. On the morning of Jan. 6 [when Davis: What’s next? Now what, Sta- other part that says, “You may not see the Georgia Senate runoff election cey? I always say that, even with art- me, but I see me.” It became a healing was called as a victory for Jon Ossoff ists who win awards, or after you do elixir for Viola. I’ve done the work and Rev. Raphael Warnock], I had to that last job that got 98% on Rotten on myself, but the journey as a dark- go to an appointment. We drove over Tomatoes. What’s your next chal- skinned woman in America is very to her house. I called ahead and [when] lenge, your next fight? specific. That is something people we saw each other, we started jump- still don’t talk about. It was a joy to ing up and down. I wanted to share Abrams: The perennial fight that play someone who was that emo- that joy with her because I’m proud you have successfully battled is tionally free and Black. With Ma, she of what we did. I’m proud that we in- to give empathy and to make empa- had the freedom of being absolutely creased the power of Black people, thy real. My battle is to make power who she was because she gave herself Latinos, Asian American Pacific Is- real. For us to believe that our com- permission. I wanted to honor her. I landers, Native Americans and white munities deserve the power, that our want to honor all the Black people people who wanted to be in coalition. people deserve power. That the mar- that I portray. So much of the work of the last ginalized and the disadvantaged — Every Black person that I portray, decade, and certainly the work of the those who have been diminished by even if they didn’t make it in the his- last two years, has been about prov- society in their minds — we have to tory book, deserves this story to be ing that you could rely on our com- know we are mighty in our power.

Stacey Abrams speaks to a crowd at a campaign stop during her run for Georgia governor in “All In: The Fight for Democracy.” Amazon Studios Black Women of Awards Season

Three Oscar contenders shine a light on Black history

Cassius Clay stands with Malcolm X outside the Trans-Lux newsreel theater in New York in 1964. Black Women of Awards Season

A medic attempts to save the life of a soldier at An Ninh, South Vietnam, in, 1965.

Black filmmakers are offering an “Right now, there are more films being unvarnished look at the legacy of made about our past than ever before. the 1960s civil rights era, examining “The studio heads are more apt to America’s tortured history of racism make these films than they were in the and drawing parallels to contempo- past. It’s not that Black filmmakers rary cries for social justice in some weren’t trying to do these films. It’s of the year’s most captivating films. always come down to us telling our Regina King’s “One Night in stories versus somebody else. I know Miami,” Shaka King’s “Judas and the Regina; Shaka was a student of mine. Black Messiah” and Spike Lee’s “Da The more the merrier.” 5 Bloods” serve as a triptych of the “One Night in Miami” is based Black experience, inviting viewers on the real-life encounter between inside the great debates that accom- Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown panied an earlier generation’s fight and Muhammad Ali. It’s set on Feb. for equality. Together, they chart the 25, 1964, the night the boxer (then course of that turbulent decade. Cassius Clay) won the heavyweight Lee has spent his career spot- title for the first time. “Judas and the lighting Black stories that have gone Black Messiah” takes place in the late unshared or were framed inauthen- 1960s and documents the final days tically in the history books, most in the life of Black Panthers leader famously with 1992’s “Malcolm X,” Fred Hampton, while “Da 5 Bloods” which gave audiences a new view of travels between the Vietnam War era the man behind the fiery speeches, (with a scene in 1968 in which the but the director “practically killed titular Bloods learn of the assassina- myself to get made.” tion of Martin Luther King Jr.) and “Black folks are part of American the present, as the surviving quartet

history, American her-story,” Lee says. cope with the scars of war. AP Photo (2) and This page) spread (Previous These filmmakers double as histori- he was an NAACP youth leader at 16. ans, contextualizing the past to deter- Youth is the lifeblood of revolutions mine how we got to where we are. across the globe, because young peo- King (credited for writing the “Judas” ple don’t have stuff to rope them in and story with Will Berson and the Lucas fool them into thinking that everything Brothers), Lee (who partnered with is OK. Their life is in front of them, Kevin Willmott for “Bloods”) and and they’re impatient in the best way. Kemp Powers (who adapted his “One During the rebellions of the sum- Night in Miami” play for the screen) mer, that was a very youth-led move- detail their process. ment. I’m 41, and a lot of times, my generation and certainly the gener- Why Spike Lee wanted to depict PTSD on-screen Why did you want to look back at the ations above us think of that younger 1960s through the lens of today? What generation as not really having any lessons can audiences take away? spine and backbone and having resil- Spike Lee: I was a kid growing up in ience. But I think nothing could be that era; I remember it. In ’67, I was further from the truth. 10 years old. Thank God, I’m not old What they’ve had to circumvent in enough to be drafted, but the Afros, their childhood and adolescence, and the music, Black Power, Dr. King get- the ways in which they’ve responded, ting assassinated, RFK assassinated, has been really impressive. I’ve heard the Vietnam movement, the anti-war the revolutionaries in their 60s [now], movement. I remember watching the who were the young people in the Chicago Democratic convention Black Panthers, talk about how this on television in 1968 when Mayor feels different and, in some ways, even Daley unleashed those cops cracking bigger than when they were the folks heads, and anti-war marches. That on the front line. time was very rich. With “Da 5 Bloods,” Spike ed in 1988. But it is estimated Kemp Powers: We live in a country What was your process in preparing Lee set out to tell a story about that about 30% of all Vietnam that it’s almost incredible how we’re to tell these stories? Black veterans’ experiences, vets have had PTSD in their able to contort ourselves to avoid Lee: Research, research, research, crafting his tale around Mar- lifetime. Both numbers are discussing race in any way, shape research and more research — doc- vin Gaye’s 1971 album “What’s comparable to PTSD rates for Going On,” which encapsulat- soldiers who served in the or form, but every once in a while, it umentaries, films, books, everything ed what soldiers faced during Gulf War in the 1990s (approx- bubbles to the surface. And I think I could get. the Vietnam War abroad and imately 12%) and the current the 1960s were a crucible moment in Powers: I would argue that when it after coming back home. conflicts in the Middle East the history of the country, as far as comes to both Malcolm X and Mu- “Marvin had an older (PTSD diagnoses estimated race relations. And I think we’re liv- hammad Ali, everyone’s an expert and brother that did three tours between 11% and 20%). in Vietnam; he was a radio “It’s [also] a fact that during ing through another crucible moment knows more about them than you do, operator. So he was writing the height of the Vietnam War, now, these past five or six years. and that’s OK. I never profess to know Marvin periodically and giving Black soldiers were one-third So much of the change is brought everything. I’m just a guy who’s read a him a firsthand account of the of the fighting force, but we about by young people. That’s what lot of stuff and done a lot of reporting. horrors of the Vietnam War,” were only 10% of the popu- really drew me to the night that I But even when it’s a person that you Lee explains. “But also, he’s lation of the United States of in Detroit, so he’s seeing the America,” Lee says. focused on for “One Night in Miami” know so well, it’s always interesting to bloods come back in body bags, The NVVRS study found that — it wasn’t just that these were four try to look at it from a slightly differ- the ones who were maimed Hispanic and Black male Viet- famous men, but it was just reminding ent angle; it can change the meaning or strung out on heroin.” nam vets showed higher rates myself of how young they were. That of that moment. That’s why I really From there, Lee takes the of PTSD (28% among Hispanic Cassius Clay was 22, that Jim Brown wanted to make this a piece of histor- baton, portraying the lasting vets, 21% among Black vets) mental scars the war left than their white counterparts was 28, that Sam Cooke was 31, that ical fiction, because there’s a certain on these veterans, namely (14%), which reaffirmed the Malcolm X wasn’t even 40 yet. burden to try to fairly characterize post-traumatic stress disorder, need for Lee to tell their story. And it was interesting for me each of these men. Even though the as portrayed through the char- “Before we premiered on watching “Judas and the Black Mes- words that they’re speaking are words acter of Paul (Delroy Lindo). Netflix, I had five screenings for siah.” My knowledge of the Black Pan- that you’re making up, you do have “That phrase wasn’t even Black and brown Vietnam vets around back then,” Lee notes. here in New York City, and they thers doesn’t go that far beyond Huey a burden. “People didn’t know or really were very moved,” Lee says. P. Newton. I knew who Fred Hamp- However, this is not supposed to couldn’t explain [what was The director has continued ton was, I knew about his death, but be a biopic. This is just to give you going on]. Something’s off, but to receive powerful feedback at no point did I think all that hap- an understanding of what these men there’s no medical term.” from vets and their families pened to a man who was 21 years old. represent, rather than what they did, Though the war spanned since the film’s release. from 1955 to ’75, the American “A lot of people reached out That youth component inspired when and how. This isn’t supposed Psychiatric Assn. did not offi- to me on Instagram saying that me, because I feel like young people to be your historical document. If cially recognize PTSD until seeing the film, and seeing the need to be inspired to pick up the anything, quite the opposite; it’s 1980. magnificent performance by mantle and realize that they have supposed to make you go out [and The U.S. Department of Lindo, they now know why this amount of power. read]. The FBI files on Malcolm X Veterans Affairs reports that their father, brother, cousins 15% of Vietnam vets were or friends acted the way they Shaka King: To piggyback off what have been available for years; you can diagnosed with PTSD, per the did when they came back from you said about youth, Fred Hampton’s track everything the man did the last National Vietnam Veterans Vietnam,” he says. “They saw

David Lee/Netflix phone was tapped by the FBI at age 14; year of his life. Readjustment Study conduct- their people in Paul.” Black Women of Awards Season

Writer-director Shaka King on gaining insight into the activist’s life

To capture the essence of Black chairman’s widow (now known Panthers leader Fred Hampton, as Akua Njeri or, more affec- “Judas and the Black Messiah” tionately, Mama Akua) and director Shaka King couldn’t Fred Hampton Jr., chairman of just read a few history books. the Black Panther Party Cubs. He had to put boots on Acting as consultants on the the ground. King traveled to Chi- film, the family gave permission cago to speak with the real-life to use Hampton’s words in the players from the Illinois chapter project, leading to one of the of the party and to find out film’s most affecting scenes, the what made Hampton tick from re-creation of Hampton’s “I am the people who knew him best. a revolutionary” speech. It was more than a fact- King compares the scene finding mission. It was also an to a “Gladiator”-type moment exercise in earning the trust of as Daniel Kaluuya’s Hamp- individuals whose stories had ton ascends the stairs into his been inaccurately portrayed version of the Colosseum: “He in the past. just got out of prison — literally “It didn’t surprise me that he was a panther in a cage, and a lot of folks didn’t want their he’s now out,” says the director. names on the record because “It’s also the scene where our they were infiltrated and people background extras did just the were murdered, so they’re very most incredible work that they private people,” King explains. did throughout the process. “Someone who I’m not It’s the kind of thing you don’t allowed to name told me this think about as being import- story about how Fred Hampton ant. But you’re talking about a used to take Malcolm X and scene where you’re showing King: The only difference for me is more like historical fiction and make Martin Luther King Jr. tapes or the might of your hero, and that not as much is known about Fred a movie about ideas. Let’s make this records and recite [the speeches] his power is the way his words Hampton and the Illinois chapter of movie about these two people, and along with them. He’d do that affect people. So for them to the Black Panther Party as the indi- let these two people represent and for fun in the basement hanging feed off of Daniel the way they viduals in “One Night in Miami.” serve an exploration of these oppo- out,” King says. “I was like, ‘That’s did in that moment, and for going in the movie.’ It inspired Daniel to feed off of them the But nevertheless, in the writ- site poles of humanity — socialism the scene where you find out way that he did, it made the ing process, in our first draft, my or capitalism — and allow the viewer that Deborah [Johnson, Hamp- entire experience real.” co-writer Will Berson and I had the to watch and see if you connect with ton’s fiancée] did the same After the first take, Kaluuya address of the apartment and the Bet- both of them in any way, or see where thing. But that’s not something threw down the mic and ter Boys Club in the slug line. When you fall in between those two poles, I would’ve learned had I not walked out of the arena. He gone to Chicago and made it my later told the director that he you’re trying to regurgitate every- even on a subconscious level. We just business to talk to people who was so invested in the charac- thing you’ve learned — which, for us thought that was more interesting knew him.” ter that he barely knew what at least, a lot of it was ego; we wanted and more useful. Ultimately, the most import- he was doing. [the audience] to know we did our If you watch these movies, leave and ant connection King and his “It was the highlight of my jobs — but when you do that, you end go to Wikipedia or Google some books, team made was with the late career,” says King. up with a script that’s like 205 pages maybe buy one or two, that’s the best and not at all dramatic. that we can hope for in terms of aiding It took five or six drafts before we in these individuals’ legacies. Young got out of our own way and allowed people probably don’t know about ourselves the freedom to treat this these folks, so there’s an opportunity for them to learn their history.

Let’s talk about the music. Spike, Mar- vin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” album was an important thread. How did it help you shape the narrative? Lee: Like a surgeon, I did it very skill-

fully [laughs]. He was a prophet. Photo Hampton: ESK/AP Bros.; Warner Judas and the Black Messiah: “What’s Going On,” one of the great- est albums ever made, came out in 1971. I know the album back and forth, and I knew where to put the songs. When Kevin and I decided to do this movie, I automatically thought the song “What’s Going On” could Kemp Powers explains why director Regina be the spine of the film. “Inner City King deserves to make history Blues” was the first song that came to me because I knew I wanted the film’s opening sequence to be archi- val footage. And then we had the Bloods singing “What’s Happening Brother” in the film.

How have the streamers changed the road for films like these to get made? Lee: The streamers are more doors to knock on. You only need one, and Netflix was that one door, and I thank them. The more places that make films, it just makes sense that more, different films will be made. King: Obviously, people have been asking me about this because our movie is coming out in theaters and on HBO Max the same day, and this “One Night in Miami” is do the kind of work that she is new. But one thing that I imme- a work of historical fiction, had to do,” he says. “Now, I diately found exciting was that we but the film stands to make don’t mind a talky film — were not only going to get it to more history: Regina King could one of the most impactful people, but because of the pandem- become the first Black films on me as a little kid was woman nominated for a best ‘12 Angry Men.’ A movie like ic you’re literally talking about a cap- director Oscar. King, whose that is engaging, and it’s like tive audience — people who can’t list of honors includes an an action movie of words.” go outside. Oscar and four Emmys for “The thing you don’t see You have an opportunity to put her acting, is also a prolific is an action movie of words a movie in front of someone who television director; she with Black people,” Powers Fred Hampton speaks outside the makes her feature directo- adds. His mission for both the U.S. courthouse in Chicago in 1969 while probably wouldn’t have watched it, rial debut with the film. stage and screen versions of Dr. Benjamin Spock listens. or might have been turned off to the “I’d be proud of her the “boxing match in a hotel politics, or made the easier choice because she deserves it,” room” was to take action to go see like a tentpole because you screenwriter Kemp Powers heroes out of the action and know we can bring the kids and ev- says of King’s possible nom- instead use their intellect as ination. “She did her job so their weapon. erybody. But now it’s like, “OK, well, well that it actually disguises Powers compares King’s why not watch ‘Judas and the Black how great a job she did as film debut to the reaction that Messiah’? The trailer was cool.” And a director.” greeted Kathryn Bigelow’s maybe there’s some information and “It was complex as hell “Point Break.” The 1991 action medicine that’s contained there, and to shoot this film that, os- movie was not Bigelow’s first tensibly, 50% takes place in time in the director’s chair, it’s beneficial. one location. Regina figured but it sent up a road flare sig- Powers: When you write these out a lot of that stuff on the naling that she had an innate screenplays, you have no idea how it’s fly,” he says. “I’ve written ability to direct hardcore going to ultimately be realized. In a a script [adapted from his action scenes. normal year, let’s say all these films stage play of the same name] “You can tell from every- that gave a blueprint for the thing [Bigelow] did that this had been released in theaters; people dialogue, but in terms of how woman knows action movies. “The 1960s were would have been forced to make a to pull this all together and ‘Point Break’ is still one of the a crucible moment choice. This year is interesting be- not just bore people to tears, best action movies I’ve ever in the history of cause I would argue that anyone and keep activity and move- seen in my life,” Powers says. who’s seen “Da 5 Bloods” probably has ment going, Regina was just “Similarly, if you come away the country, as far a bottomless pit of great ideas from ‘One Night in Miami’ and seen “One Night in Miami” and will to activate this story.” don’t understand what [King] as race relations. probably see “Judas and the Black Powers says he’s biased in is capable of, that’s like put- And I think we're Messiah,” and I don’t think that would his praise but maintains that ting the blinders on, because living through have necessarily been the case with King’s skill at translating the she activated that story in a all three of them released in theaters. dialogue-heavy story to the way that a lot of other direc- another crucible screen was exceptional. tors wouldn’t have even tried Instead, it’s like, wow, people are get- “When I look back at great to. As far as I’m concerned, moment now.” ting to take in all of these films, and talky films where directors she’s always going to deserve

Patti Perret/Amazon Studios Perret/Amazon Patti —Kemp Powers that’s just three. got nominations, they didn’t a medal.” Black Women of Awards Season

Illustration by Derek Abella

TK ART

Black Women of Awards Season

inclusive. But if you can’t see yourself on screen, do you feel as if you even exist? One-third of our lives is spent at work, and the artists who express their creativity through cinema deserve to have their work seen, and not just because of the color of their skin or their gender but because when you are exposed to an experience different from your own, your creativity grows. Take a moment to review this list of eligible films from 2020, putting a check mark by the ones you have watched. Ideally, that will leave you with a clearer picture of how you are contributing to cinema’s evo- lution with your votes. ¶ Your goal should be to view all of these films, but let’s be realistic. Try seeing at least 60% of them. All meet the Acade- my’s diversity requirements — in front of or behind the camera — that will go into effect in 2024. Many of them clear several of those thresholds.

REPRESENTATIVE LGBTQ (10) WOMEN FILMS (20) FILMMAKERS (15) “Ammonite” “Bull” “The Boys in the Band” Radha Blank, “Da 5 Bloods” “Disclosure” “The Forty-Year-Old Version” “Farewell Amor” “Falling” Garrett Bradley, “Time” “First Cow” “The Half of It” Sofia Coppola, “On the Rocks” “I Carry You With Me” “Happiest Season” Gabriela Cowperthwaite, “Joe Bell” “I’m Your Woman” “Our Friend” “Shirley” “Judas and the Black Messiah” Mona Fastvold, “The World “Supernova” to Come” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” “The Surrogate” Nisha Ganatra, “The High Note” “Minari” Patty Jenkins, “Wonder “Miss Juneteenth” Woman 1984” “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” “TABOO” ISSUES (5) Miranda July, “Kajillionaire” “Nomadland” “The Assistant” Tara Miele, “Wander Darkly” “One Night in Miami” “Herself” Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Palm Springs” “The Mauritanian” “The Old Guard” “The Prom” “Palmer” Marjane Satrapi, “Radioactive” “Pieces of a Woman” “Promising Young Woman” Dawn Porter, “The Way I See It” “Tom & Jerry” Julie Taymor, “The Glorias” “Totally Under Control” DISABILITIES (5) Autumn de Wilde, “Emma” “The United States vs. Robin Wright, “Land” Billie Holiday” “Best Summer Ever” “The White Tiger” “Come as You Are” “Crip Camp” “Run” “Sound of Metal”

SCORE: 45-50 = A 35-39 = C UNDER 29 = Watch more movies 40-44 = B 30-34 = D before filling out your ballots. It’s important to say what this form Asian cultural perspective, one we is not. often don’t see. It is not a demand that you vote for We finally saw a lesbian rom-com: these films. Hulu’s “Happiest Season” from Clea It is not a guide for a diversity quota, DuVall drew outstanding notices so more people of color are represent- and featured a superb performance ed in the film industry just because. by Kristen Stewart, who is openly bi- It is not a document made to make sexual. The first known LGBTQ pro- a voter feel guilty about liking “Green ducer nominated for an Academy Book” more than “Roma” or preferring Award was Tony Richardson for 1963’s “Crash” to “Brokeback Mountain.” “Tom Jones,” which won best picture. This guide is a road map for high- Only three best picture winners have lighting and making industry voters been produced by someone from the aware of the films that speak to not just LGBTQ community — 1999’s “Amer- one audience but the cinematic world. ican Beauty” (Bruce Cohen and Dan If the industry supports more films Jinks), 2007’s “No Country for Old from diverse voices, there will not be Men” (Scott Rudin) and 2010’s “The a need for any quota or mandate, as Andra Day stars in "The United States vs. Billie Holiday." King’s Speech” (Iain Canning). No some people fear or suggest. That’s identifying bisexual, transgender, a good thing, not just from an artis- queer or gender-neutral producers tic standpoint but from a financial look at the industry overall. Change version of themselves on screen. It’s have found recognition. one. Hollywood executives and pro- must come in front of and behind the incumbent on the Academy to iden- Some subjects are classified as ducers will see the return on their camera. The lack of diversity is evi- tify, nurture and fill the pipeline with taboo, which can be a synonym for investments with box office receipts. dent when it comes to the producers cinema’s next artists, who will evolve issues around women, gender or sex- Films like “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” behind contenders for the top awards. with the medium. uality. But the list of subject matter ($116 million domestic gross) and There have been 116 women nomi- People of color are not asking for a considered forbidden is vast, and the “Get Out” ($176 million) were smash nated for best picture since 1973, or default or “quota” slot in acting, direct- films that fall under this rubric are hits with modest budgets; the latter 18% of the number of men nominated. ing or artisan categories. We’re asking vital. Whether it’s toxic workplace also won Jordan Peele an Academy Of that 116, two are Black women for the same opportunity to snag one of culture (Kitty Green’s “The Assis- Award for original screenplay. (Oprah Winfrey for “Selma” and Kim- those coveted spots. Like in baseball, tant”), abusive relationships (Phyllida Voting members of all organizations berly Steward for “Manchester by the we want a chance to swing to see if we Lloyd’s “Herself”) or the grief of los- need to know this. If you did not score Sea”), one is Latina (Gabriela Rodri- can hit a home run; we don’t want a ing a child (Vanessa Kirby in “Pieces a minimum of 29, you aren’t a racist. guez for “Roma”) and one is Asian “walk” from the industry. of a Woman”), we don’t permit enough The first step is recognizing there is a (Kwak Sin Ae for “Parasite”). This extended calendar year is conversations to transpire, nor oppor- problem. We don’t want to force you When the Academy announced its worth celebrating, as we could tunities to see them explored. to see “us.” At a time when the world is representation and inclusion stan- make history in several categories. People with cognitive or physical painfully divided, I’m reminded of the dards, a set of four measures, and We could have the most-nominated disabilities constitute one of the most words of one of my mentors: “Don’t mandated a film meet a minimum of Black producer (Denzel Washington significant areas of unrealized oppor- listen to respond, listen to under- two in key areas such as actors, cre- with two), the first woman of color tunity in Hollywood. Darius Mard- stand.” We are delaying film evolu- ative teams, theme and studio repre- nominated in directing (Regina King er’s “Sound of Metal” broke ground tion by failing to support a multitude sentation, anonymous AMPAS voters and/or Chloé Zhao), along with the in this regard. Not only did it tackle of voices working in the medium. shared their outrage, griping that they most women nominated in the cate- the subject of hearing loss, but it fea- Systemic racism exists in the enter- “lost their freedoms” and could no lon- gory (adding Emerald Fennell). We tured actors from the deaf and hard- tainment industry, and Asian, Black, ger make the films they wanted to. could see the most POC nominated of-hearing community. Moreover, Latinx, Indigenous and LGBTQ Looking at the Oscar nominees for in the acting categories (the current Netflix’s “Crip Camp,” a stirring doc- people, people with disabilities and best picture going back to 2000, no record is seven, from the 2006 film umentary about the disability rights women are grotesquely underrepre- nominee would have been excluded year). According to the predictions, movement, was a hit with viewers sented in the movies and shows that under the proposed guidelines set to we could be tracking as many as 12. and critics and is an Oscar contender. Hollywood produces. While 2020 take effect in 2024. In each of the underrepresented But that’s not enough. To date, only demonstrated a historic level of rep- At the time of the announcement, areas, there’s room for improvement. two disabled actors have been rec- resentation on many fronts, there is Academy CEO Dawn Hudson told The LGBTQ section doesn’t just ognized by the Academy: support- still much work to do. Variety, “We don’t want the mini- deal with movies that tell gay stories ing actor winner Harold Russell for The strides that need to be made are mum met. We want them to meet all with gay protagonists, like “Falling” 1946’s “The Best Years of Our Lives” reflected in the legacy of the Oscars. these thresholds.” That’s when dia- by Viggo Mortensen or “Supernova” and best actress winner Marlee Matlin In the 92 years that the Academy has logue can begin to occur between the from Harry Macqueen. We want for 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God.” been handing out statuettes, white creator and the consumers that see a to give LGBTQ filmmakers more More than 50 actors and actresses have actors represent 99% of best actress resources, as Netflix did with “Ma been nominated or won Oscars for winners and 93% of best actor. Rainey’s Black Bottom,” helmed by portraying characters with disabilities. When #OscarsSoWhite made George C. Wolfe, who is openly gay. The issues of diversity, equity and headlines in 2015, many focused on That will allow for a wider range of inclusion can’t just be critical to the the omission of POC from the act- stories to flicker across screens, such artist of color. They have to be essential ing categories. Yet we must move as Alice Wu’s “The Half of It,” which for all of us. Cinema will thrive when Takashi Seida/Hulu Takashi beyond the names above the titles to takes on the LGBTQ subject from the everyone is on board. Black Women of Awards Season

The star of ‘Harriet’ on how she learned to tell stories that Hollywood has overlooked

I’ve been lucky enough to play women who she is, but she’s a hero of mine. often been trivialized or relegated to I Googled Black women in the who have marked history with their I learned a lot about storytelling certain archetypes and stereotypes. 1800s. Sarah Forbes Bonetta showed brilliance, and at the same time have through song from listening to her. I See them live in their fullness and in up, and I was obsessed because there somehow changed the way we see wanted to do Aretha justice and make genres that have historically not been was this woman in the 1800s, as part the world. sure that she was made proud, which meant for them. of the royal court [of England]. Pretty Like many of the Black women is a huge pressure to put upon oneself. Maybe it’s the story of a secu- much born an African princess and in history, they sort of get forgot- That experience really solidified rity guard at an airport who you’ve then given as a gift to Queen Victoria ten. Harriet Tubman was one of the the kind of storyteller that I wanted brushed off, but that seemingly ordi- and treated like a goddaughter. But she women that I was astounded by, after to be. It’s one thing to be able to be nary person has an extraordinary life still was a foreigner in a foreign land realizing that her story hadn’t been on the screen or be on the stage and — one you’ve never bothered to see trying to contend with who she was. told for a wider audience and that say the lines or the words that you’ve because you don’t see them. The rea- There are other stories. There are there are still so many people who been given. It’s quite another thing to son why you’re able to get on your so many stories about us that we hav- don’t know who she is. be able to help to create the world. I flight and go wherever you go is that en’t explored. That’s what I want, to I have this passion to want to make didn’t realize that there was a space they exist. normalize seeing us in spaces that we that right. Whenever the opportu- for me as an actress to take hold of my Or it might be a paper clipping, and haven’t been seen yet. nity comes up, and it feels like I’m power in that way and that I could be there’s a woman in it, and she’s lived Where is the Black woman spy? equipped to tell it most truthfully, I the creator of worlds and characters I a storied life. Most people would flip Who is the Black female superhero? take the opportunity and I’m proud had always dreamed of seeing. past the page, but when you read it, Who’s the Black fencer? Have we to be able to. I love Black women — from my it’s a fascinating story. That story of discussed her? No. And we know she Playing Harriet in 2019’s “Har- soul I do. I want Edith’s Daughter, my what’s boiling underneath the surface exists. Where’s the queer Black female riet” was a huge responsibility. I felt production company, to normalize the of the unconventional protagonist is at love story? responsible for trying to tell the story story of “the other” and be a source the heart of the stories I want to tell. I want to be a place where we can as fully as I could because she’s just where people can go to watch stories Or you get to Sarah Forbes Bon- make that. That’s what this place is for. relegated to a paragraph in our his- that they might overlook from time etta, who I discovered maybe seven That’s what this company is about. tory books. In some history books, she to time. People whose stories have years ago. I was tired of seeing cos- — As told to Jazz Tangcay doesn’t exist. You don’t get to realize tume dramas that didn’t include wo - how much work she did from the age men who looked like me. I know that Cynthia Erivo is a Tony and Grammy of 26 to 91. we existed [earlier than] the ’60s. I award-winning and Oscar-nomi- With Aretha Franklin, who I know that we existed as more than nated actress and singer. Up next, she played on the TV series “Genius: Are- help, or slaves. It’s like there’s a part will appear in National Geographic’s tha,” that story was pressure-filled. of history where we are just erased, “Genius: Aretha.” Erivo runs Edith’s

Not just because the world knows and it was worrisome. Daughter, a film production company. Photograph by Caitlin Cronenberg

Gutter Credit 02.17.2021 AWARDS CIRCUIT The peoplebehind thescenesandin frontofthecamera making waves VARIETY ● 55 56 ● AWARDS CIRCUIT ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON 02.17.2021 Female Creatives Light Up Kudos Conversation

From producers to directors, actors and artisans, women are making a splash on screen ● By Jenelle Riley and Danielle Turchiano

Anderson stepped into the Netflix royal from the ashes like a phoenix. Gorgeous family drama in its fourth season — a execution from a fantastic actor who has season that she argues has the strongest been away for far too long. female energy. After all, she looms large as polarizing political figure Margaret Thatcher, who goes head-to-head with Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) in most of her scenes. “Peter Morgan is par- ticularly good at writing women,” she Maria Bakalova says. “For whatever reason, he is right ACTOR, “BORAT SUBSEQUENT [about] strong voices for women, and MOVIEFILM” recognizable [ones], and very complex Taking on a major film role in a block- women.” Reflecting on her experience, buster sequel alongside a well-known Cate Blanchett the Globe and SAG-nominated thespian leading man would be a tough ask for ACTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, says, “That’s what one wishes for in this “MRS. AMERICA” any young actor. Add onto that a will- industry — to be surrounded by talented ingness to try high-wire improvisation, How she got into character to play Phyllis people that help to lift you up and inspire a comfort shooting with unwitting real- Schlafly: “I actually started with her you to do your best.” world co-stars during a worldwide pan- authorized biography and then waded demic and the ability to make a quick into the hours and hours of TV inter-

getaway when Rudy Giuliani threatens to view footage, and worked with the writ- Images; USA/AP tt; ddp images/Sipa call the cops on you, and you have some ers to slip a few of the contradictory and idea of the task that faced the now-24- provocative things she said into the series. year-old Bulgarian when she was cast In the couples’ debate with Brenda and Stacey Abrams in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” More Mark [Feigen] for instance, she actually PRODUCER, “ALL IN: THE than holding her own opposite Sacha wore that enormous cross and I felt it was FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY” Baron Cohen in the film, Bakalova also vital that we had the overlaps and heat that the actual debate held. Something I Of all the accolades and honors Abrams managed to play a part in a legitimate asked early on in the development stages has earned recently, she could soon add Christina Applegate U.S. political scandal, and now finds was, ‘What music did the Schlaflys listen Oscar nominee to her resume. Abrams ACTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, herself a genuine Oscar contender after “DEAD TO ME” to?’ I wanted to know what songs were is not just featured in Liz Garbus and best supporting actress wins from the circling around her head.” Lisa Cortes film, she’s also one of its pro- Applegate often jokes that her Netflix New York Film Critics Circle and the ducers. The doc focuses on voter sup- traumedy about two women who bond National Society of Film Critics and a pression, the history of voter rights and over grief and loss has felt like a doc- Golden Globes nom. As for where her Abrams’ personal story after her oppo- umentary. But in all seriousness, she next steps will take her, “Dramatic things nent won the 2018 race for governor of shares that her character “Jen was will always be part of my heart, that’s Georgia by a mere 55,000 votes. someone who opened up a portal to where I started,” Bakalova told Variety “I’ve always been fascinated by the my own emotions, my own trauma, my last December. “But now I’m interested arts and by that world,” Abrams says, own shit. A lot of the work was very in comedies, too.” noting that “had a concept that I’d like personal, I think, to Linda [Cardellini] to do a documentary about voter sup- and myself. It’s hard to do, but as an pression. “I didn’t think I could actually actor you go through all the different Helena Bonham Carter do it.” Abrams admits she was stunned methods — you write a journal, you do ACTOR, “THE CROWN” this, you do that, but all of a sudden it by the translation of thought into action Before signing on to play the real-life opens a portal. It was kind of beautiful, and how it all came together with the Princess Margaret in Netflix’s period aid of directors Garbus and Cortes. “I too [and] cathartic.” piece, Bonham Carter was worried had meetings. I described what I wanted, about the shoes she had to fill. But tak- they described what they did, we chatted ing the part proved to be fruitful: She about it, and then there was a movie.” Nicole Beharie was Emmy-nominated in September and ACTOR, “MISS JUNETEENTH” now has her second consecutive Golden Turquoise Jones, the hard-working and Globe nod and SAG nom for it as well. determined mother in Channing Godfrey “The gift for me in this part is that it is a Peoples’ marvelous “Miss Juneteenth,” part that keeps on giving. It is so compli- navigates the world echoing the prom- cated and complex,” she previously told ise of her former self as the winner of Variety. “She’s got so many facets — all her local pageant. She wants a better contradictory, really. She’s never boring.” outcome for her daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze). Beharie holds Turquoise’s Gillian Anderson regret and anger deep but shares her ACTOR, “THE CROWN” character’s hope and evolution emerging Kay; Blanche Felicity Images; Balalova: Wire/AP Ian West/PA Images (2); Anderson: Strauss/Invision/AP Applegate: Jordan Abrams, Images Association/AP Images; Carter: Press Jewell/Invision/AP Beharie: Taylor VARIETY ● 57

over 20 years trying to free her husband, “Goodbye Charlie,” but they do not end. Rob, from his prison sentence for a crime At 88, her renowned and heartbreaking they committed together. After winning WHAT ONE turn as Elizabeth in Netflix’s “Pieces WISHES FOR IN prizes at Sundance and the Gotham THIS INDUSTRY of a Woman” has put her among the Awards, “Time” has also been nominated [IS] TO BE top contenders for supporting actress, for a Spirit Award, and made the Oscar SURROUNDED which would make her the oldest act- doc shortlist. Bradley met Rich through BY TALENTED ing nominee in history, surpassing the PEOPLE THAT Gina Womack, the co-founder and direc- HELP TO LIFT late Christopher Plummer. She wants Tiffany Boone tor of the New Orleans-based Friends Jessie Buckley YOU UP AND that honor and is even eyeing the record ACTOR, “THE MIDNIGHT SKY” and Families of Louisiana’s Incarcerated ACTOR, “I’M THINKING OF INSPIRE YOU TO held by Agnès Varda, who at 90 was the Children. Says Bradley: “Fox is briefly ENDING THINGS” DO YOUR BEST.” oldest nominee ever. Few actors have been busier than Boone, in ‘Alone’ and makes a vivid connection — GILLIAN one of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch from Effortlessly bouncing among film, tele- ANDERSON between slavery and the prison industrial 2020. On TV she played a young ver- vision, theater and music for the past complex. We got to know one another sion of Kerry Washington’s character in decade, the Irish-born Buckley has qui- in the process of making that film. We Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and etly built an imposing resume. After built trust between one another and I had excelling in Shakespeare productions a Nazi hunter alongside Al Pacino and the pleasure of getting to know Robert at the Globe and prestige BBC fare, she Logan Lerman in Amazon’s “Hunters.” and the entire Richardson family. It was She then appeared in George Clooney’s earned a BAFTA nomination for her really at that point where it felt both “The Midnight Sky” as an astronaut beside lead turn in “Wild Rose” two years ago. natural and meaningful to continue the Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo. Boone She is now appearing everywhere from conversation around mass incarceration read up on Black astronauts, including Mae buzzy series (“Chernobyl,” “Fargo”) to Alexandra Byrne from a perspective too rarely seen. That C. Jemison, the first Black woman in space. Charlie Kaufman’s feature “I’m Thinking COSTUME DESIGNER, is from the perspective of love, unity and “THE MAURITANIAN” Boone even kept Jemison’s portrait in her of Ending Things,” for which she nabbed everyday resilience.” character’s room on the set. “It’s little a Gotham Awards nomination and lau- Byrne is no stranger to the Oscar winners things like that where, even if the audi- rels from the Dublin Film Critics Circle. circle, having won a gold statuette for ence never sees these things, I hope that “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.” However, the audience gets this sense that a full per- “The Mauritanian” is not a lush period son with a full life is on screen,” she says. piece but a more modern courtroom drama about a man who spent years as a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay. Starring Tahar Rahim as the titular player and Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch

rly Center; Bradley: blvxmth; Brosnahan: Arthur Mola/Invision/AP Images; Images; Arthur Mola/Invision/AP blvxmth; Brosnahan: rly Center; Bradley: as opposing attorneys, the film, directed Rachel Brosnahan by Kevin Macdonald, stretches from ACTOR/PRODUCER, “I’M YOUR WOMAN” Ellen Burstyn Mauritania to Cuba. “This film allows space for an ordinary ACTOR, “PIECES OF A WOMAN” Byrne says she read Mohamedou Ould woman thrust into extraordinary circum- Slahi’s book “‘Guantanamo Diary,’ and All great actors get their bearings on stances to become the hero of her own was completely absorbed by his story, Garrett Bradley the stage. At least that’s what Burstyn story, frame by frame, and we get to come his journey, him. “I was left wondering DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, “TIME” believes, and she’s a beloved figure of the along for that journey. It’s just a totally what processes, both personal and insti- Bradley’s documentary centers on Sibil craft, with more than six decades in all different approach to this genre than I’ve tutional, allow one human being to inflict Fox Richardson (also known as Fox media. Her film credits may begin in 1964 ever seen,” says Brosnahan. such behavior on another human being.” with “For Those Who Think Young” and Rich), an entrepreneur who has spent She adds: “We had little time and a very tight budget — nothing new. But the story, the research, the people, the col- laborations, markets in [the capital] Nouakchott, sunrise in the Sahara — brought me into an immersive and unique experience.” Even though Mauritania is a seg- regated society, Byrne met groups of women in the markets and in their homes. “I felt welcomed by their warmth and support, no questions despite the obvi- ous differences.”

Cate Blanchett earned her latest Golden Globes and SAG Awards noms for her role as Phyllis Schafly in “Mrs. America.” Boone: Parisa Afsahi/Sipa USA/AP Images; Buckley: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Byrne: John Sciulli/Getty Images/Beve Images; Byrne: John Sciulli/Getty USA/AP Images; Buckley: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Afsahi/Sipa Boone: Parisa Burstyn: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Images; Mrs. America: Sabrina Lantos/FX Images; Mrs. CharlesBurstyn: Sykes/Invision/AP easily. Everyoneloved thescriptand “The restoftherolescametogetherfairly away asdidDenzel.” the processandJohnsparkedtoitright before. Jared’snamecameuplaterin that wehadn’tseeninthiskindofrole who couldcreateabelievablecharacter of knownactors. Wetalkedalot about theirs andhehadtobeatacertainlevel Rami, hehadtohavethetalentmatch be workinginscenes withDenzeland Chamian says.“Becausetheactorwould ing roletocastcreativelywasSparma,” is expertlycast.“Themostchalleng- the film,buteveryroleinensemble Leto. It’satrioofOscar-winners leading not beAlbertSparma,playedbyJared to huntaserialkiller— who mayor teams withRamiMalek’sLAPDofficer Washington playsasheriff’sdeputywho In JohnLeeHancock’sthriller,Denzel “THE CASTING Denise Chamian I’ve experienced [before].” isfying onsomelevel thatIdon’t know tough thingsandallofthatstuff, itissat- because ofthecryingandthinkingabout even whenit’s draining, whichitcanbe “Even whenit’s itsmostseriousand the show “torturous fun.” Sheexplains: inee Cardellini hascalledworking on tearsinanother—SAGand full-on nom- ing laugh-out-loud banterinoneminute can switchtonesinaninstant—deliver- Given thenature ofhow “DeadtoMe” “DEAD ACTOR/EXECUTIVE Linda Cardellini 58 wanted toworkwith JohnandDenzel.” As fortheotherparts,Chamiansays, ● LITTLE TO AWARDS CIRCUIT DIRECTOR, ME” THINGS” PRODUCER, ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON — LINDA CARDELLINI IS SATISFYING.” DRAINING...IT WHEN IT’S AND EVEN MOST SERIOUS IT’S ATITS EVEN WHEN SAG Award. nominated for a which sheisnow Destroy You,”for starred in “I May produced and executive created, wrote, Michaela Coel Multi-threat gotten therightsand was developing the vine thatRon [Howard, thedirector] had “I hadread the book.Iheard by thegrape- ACTOR, Glenn Close about,” she says. trajectories. Thatiswhatthemovie understands theopportunity,rightsand in touchwiththeworld.It’seducated, a productofmodern,urbanIndiathatis I cando.Pinky[in‘TheWhiteTiger’]is or putintoaboxstereotypeofwhat ters andgenresnotbeboggeddown I havetheabilitytoplayvariouscharac- “I’m reallylookingforatrajectorywhere “THE ACTOR/PRODUCER, Priyanka Chopra Jonas WHITE “HILLBILLY TIGER” ELEGY” is nocomedyordrama.” scious nottodothis—playthetruth,there previously told scenes/characters we are creating,” she I thinkwe fallintoatrap ofjudging the her friendshipsandwriting. “Often, how ithappened,whilealsostill juggling the next episodestryingtorecall exactly acter issexually assaulted,andshespends nected.” At thestart oftheseriesherchar- come tounderstand that“we are allcon- SAG nomineeCoelwanted audiencesto mative limitedseries“IMay Destroy You,” With herthoughtful, timelyandtransfor- PRODUCER, ACTOR/WRITER/EXECUTIVE Michaela Coel me thepart,” saysClose. think ofme.’ He camebackandheoffered and Isaid,‘Ron, whenyou gettocasting, about stuff like that,soIwrote himanote script. I’ve always beenpretty proactive “I Variety MAY DESTROY . “Iwas always con- YOU” came onboard we were very, very happy.” was thebasisofentire story. Whenhe extremely important becausethatrole by thegreat ChadwickBoseman was add the ‘Stormin’ Norman’ role played authentic like atruebrotherhood. Iwill wanted thegroup ofactorstofeelreal and put togetherhadtherightchemistry and wanted tomake sure theensemblewe ers includingJonathan Majors. “Spike such asDelroy Lindowithup-and-com- Coleman gottoputtogetherlegends group ofuniquecharacters.” know Iwillbelookingforawholenew about thenext Spike LeeJoint becauseI time,” saysColeman.“I’malways excited off eachotherand we have a really good interesting, we bouncenamesandideas process soit’sand the casting always with thefilmmaker. “We bothlove actors says shealways looks forward toworking tation of“She’s GottaHave It,” Coleman on “BlacKkKlansman”andtheTVadap- Having previously worked withSpike Lee CASTING Kim Coleman When itcametocasting“Da 5Bloods,” DIRECTOR, “DA 02.17.2021 5 BLOODS”

Cardellini: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images; I May Destroy You: Laura Radford/HBO; Chamian: Denise Chamian; Jonas: Patricia Schlein/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images; Coel: Press Association/AP Image; Coleman: Kim Coleman; Close: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 59

when you’re watching television,” she to figure out who killed her one-night this is my first role. I just asked God previously told Variety about audience stand to a recent flashback to a “mind to give me all of the pain and trauma. I members who want to root for Villanelle. palace” scene that took place only in asked him to give me her pain and give “It’s good to make people feel something, her own head. “I just went with my gut me her trauma.” and she definitely seems to do that.” half the time, and as I would leave set, I would go, ‘Oh God, I hope that worked; I don’t even know what I did today!’ I was just so hopeful that it would all come Lily Collins together,” she admits. ACTOR/PRODUCER, “EMILY IN PARIS” The titular Emily, who moves to the titu- lar Paris in the first season of Darren Star’s new Netflix comedy, learns a lot about Clare Dunne herself when living thousands of miles Carrie Coon ACTOR/WRITER, “HERSELF” and an ocean away from her friends, fam- ACTOR, “THE NEST” Irish actor Dunne was a well-known ily and boyfriend. In doing so, she learns “When I read the script, I’d never seen commodity in British theater — partic- to “put herself first in a lot of ways,” marriage depicted in that way. ‘The Nest’ ularly thanks to roles in “The Cripple Golden Globe nominee Collins reflects. In wasn’t about a divorce, a funeral, a dead of Inishmaan” and her turn as Prince embodying that role, as well as serving as child. It was just about the tacit agree- Hal in Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female pro- a producer on the series, Collins says that ments we make in marriage.” she says. duction of “Henry IV” — but she was she, too, learned a lot about “accepting largely unfamiliar to Stateside audi- our voices and learning about our iden- ences until recently. To break through, tities” as women. “There’s a real strength she reunited with Lloyd, and took mat- in admitting when you need extra help. ters into her own hands: starring in and And it’s not always [about] just what you co-writing the screenplay for last year’s have to say, it’s in your delivery.” Sundance standout “Herself,” which Lloyd directed. The film was picked up by Amazon, and Dunne won raves for her turn as a woman rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive relationship, earning

es Emma Corrin ACTOR, “THE CROWN” a part in Ridley Scott’s upcoming “The Viola Davis Last Duel.” “To actually be in it and do it Corrin is one of many female nominees ACTOR, “MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM” was intense,” she told Variety of her dual dor/Sipa USA/AP Images; Corrin, Comer, Edgar-Jones: Press Association/AP Images (3); Davis: Davis: Images (3); Association/AP Press Images; Corrin, Comer, Edgar-Jones: USA/AP dor/Sipa from “The Crown” this year, but she is Over the course of her career, Davis has roles on the film, “because I’d written it, one of only two who joined Season 4 starred in “Fences,” “How to Get Away it was also a release. anew, stepping into the iconic Diana With Murder” and “Widows” to name a Olivia Colman Spencer’s shoes to take the People’s ACTOR, “THE CROWN” AND few projects, but the role of “Ma Rainey” “THE FATHER” Princess from teenager to royal wife and was what she calls “the healing elixir for mother, while Olivia Colman and Gillian Viola.” In Florian Zeller’s adaptation of his own Anderson were going head-to-head in Davis says, “Ma listens to her heart. Ma play, which he directed and co-wrote politically charged scenes. “There’s listens to the voice inside of her. That’s all with Christopher Hampton, Colman the Queen and Thatcher and Diana, all that counts with Ma. This is a woman who portrays Anne, the daughter of Anthony dealing with the complexities of being listened to her heart.” Davis adds that line Hopkins’ Anthony, a man who is suf- in positions of power but all having got- in the film still resonates for her “because fering from memory loss. We witness ten there in different ways. The way they it’s taken me a lifetime to get to this point.” Anne become an emotional punching confronted their very different problems The film highlights how Ma Rainey is bag to someone unaware of his current was all female-driven, and it was inspi- rendered obscure as white men perform moments and where they stood prior. rational to work on,” Corrin says. the “Jelly Roll” song. But with Davis in She shows unlimited resilience in both the driving seat, “Ma Rainey” is a name this film, and in Netflix’s “The Crown,” we will be uttering all awards season and has grabbed noms for both from and beyond. Thanks to Davis, who has Golden Globes and SAG, cementing her place as one of our most gifted actors. earned Globe and SAG noms for the role, we know Ma Rainey’s story.

Kaley Cuoco ACTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, “THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT” Daisy Edgar-Jones ACTOR, “NORMAL PEOPLE” After spending a dozen years on “The Big Bringing a beloved literary character Bang Theory,” Cuoco knows her come- to life is no easy feat since a strong per- Jodie Comer dic strengths well. But one thing the ACTOR, “KILLING EVE” centage of the audience will come into Golden Globe and SAG nominee didn’t Andra Day Emmy-winner Comer now also has two ACTOR, “THE UNITED STATES the project with a certain image of who realize until she pulled double duty as VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY” consecutive Golden Globe nominations the star and an executive producer on that character should be already in their “I put my family through it; I put myself hearts and minds. Edgar-Jones’ take on for her role as assassin Villanelle in “The Flight Attendant” was what a good through it,” Day says. “I went from 163 novelist Sally Rooney’s Marianne, a quiet BBC America’s cat-and-mouse thriller. multitasker she is. Not only did she often Her opportunity to touch an audience, have to wear “the producing hat [and] the pounds to 124 pounds. I would talk like teenager who embarks on a complicated her and I don’t drink or smoke, but I secret relationship in “Normal People,” whether awards voters or not, though, actor hat” at once, she recalls, she would started smoking cigarettes and drinking was one that shot past expectations, is what makes the show special. “I like often have to jump from a scene set in her Variety that conflict that you’re experiencing character’s present-day reality of trying alcohol. Not that I recommend people though. ’s chief television critic Collins: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Images; Coon: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP Images Dunne:: Clare Dunne; Colman: Sthanlee B. Mira Images Dunne:: Clare Jewell/Invision/AP Images; Coon: Taylor Collins: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Birdie Thompson/AdMedia/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images; Cucco: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images; Day: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/AP Imag USA/AP Images; Day: Anthony Behar/Sipa Strauss/Invision/AP Images; Cucco: Jordan Thompson/AdMedia/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Birdie do this; I just was desperate because Caroline Framke reviewed the Golden 60 ● AWARDS CIRCUIT ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON 02.17.2021

Globe nominee’s performance, saying In bringing the show to screen, Eyrich she is at her best when allowed to stand created two color worlds: one of the on her own and that she “makes every down-on-their-luck Broadway stars, sideways look count.” dressing them in bold bright colors, and the other, of small-town Indiana, a muted, neutral world. As a costume designer, her most challenging part was defining each character’s look, “and making sure they could dance in it for Emerald Fennell Sarah Flack 14 hours each day.” Her inspirations are WRITER/DIRECTOR/ EDITOR, “ON THE ROCKS” too many to list, but she offers “Jessica PRODUCER, “PROMISING Flack has helped shape all of Sofia Lange. And most recently, Meryl Streep YOUNG WOMAN” Coppola’s films, and obviously the two and Nicole Kidman,” as women who have Since its premiere at last year’s Sundance women have a deep understanding. In impacted her directly. And she is fortu- Film Festival, people have been talking Megan Stark Evans “Rocks,” Bill Murray plays an irascible nate to have dressed all three. about Fennell’s feature directorial debut, COSTUME DESIGNER, and selfish yet loving father to Rashida “SOUND OF METAL” “Promising Young Woman.” And the dis- Jones. “Our biggest challenge for ‘On the course isn’t likely to die down anytime In “Sound of Metal,” Ruben (played Rocks’ was to keep Felix [Murray] lov- soon as Fennell and leading lady Carey by Riz Ahmed), a drummer in a punk- able if flawed as a father, while being Mulligan continue to rack up praise and metal duo with girlfriend Lou (Olivia true to his character’s generation and accolades (she landed Golden Globe Cooke), loses his hearing. Costume all that is both magical and outdated noms for both writing and directing). As designer Evans was tasked with taking about it,” she says. With a long and sto- if that wasn’t enough, Fennell then stole viewers from the cramped Airstream ried career, Flack notes the women who scenes on Season 4 of “The Crown” as trailer of a working road band to the have inspired her. “Creatively I was Prince Charles’ “other woman,” Camilla stage to Ruben’s time at a collective for inspired by the work of Maya Deren Parker Bowles. Fennell knew “Promising deaf recovering addicts to an upper- when I was young. Professionally and Young Woman” would elicit powerful class Parisian artists’ townhome. Evans creatively, I was very lucky in my 20s to responses from audiences as it fol- says working with deaf actors “taught me work as an assistant for the editors Claire the true nature of communication goes lows Mulligan’s Cassie, who is seeking Simpson and Nancy Richardson.” Flack to avenge a friend who was sexually beyond the spoken or signed word; it is adds, “Claire Simpson, whom I worked assaulted in school. But she was still sur- filled with body language and observa- for twice, taught me through example the tional listening.” Signing on the Darius prised when a fight broke out at an early importance of standing up for oneself at screening of the film. “It was just a really Marder feature was a no-brainer. “The work and not to accept disrespectful situ- completely mixed audience, all sorts script blew me away,” she says. “As a sto- ations.” Meanwhile, Richardson “became ryteller, Ruben is the type of protagonist of ages and genders,” Fennell recalls. my mentor and friend in my earliest years Images; Academy/AP the Television Willy Sanjuan/Invision for Images; Eyrich: liance/dpa/AP I dream of — complicated, passionate, “There’s a scene in the middle of the as an editor. Even though I had been her movie, an argument between two peo- vulnerable and ever-changing. I was assistant only a couple of years earlier, she ple, and a shouting argument [erupted inspired to visually depict his emo- took me seriously right away as an editor in the audience] in the middle of it. For tional progression from a recovered and gave me confidence in that uncer- me, at the time, it was sort of horrifying addict burying himself in his music and Elle Fanning tain transition period between assisting ACTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, because I wasn’t expecting anything like relationship, to losing his hearing and and editing. I am very proud of the fact “THE GREAT” that. You don’t necessarily want there to searching for peace within. Both the that four of my own former assistants First-time Golden Globe nominee be fisticuffs through your film. metal music genre and the deaf com- (three of them women) are now editors.” munity are rarely represented in film. I Fanning says she felt like she was com- “But actually, afterwards, I thought: wanted to use my stylistic touch to por- ing into her own in real life, just as her tit- Well, that’s sort of what it’s supposed tray these folks in a realistic way, and in ular character, Catherine the Great, was to do really, this film is it is supposed to the case of Ruben and Lou’s metal back- doing so on-screen. “I love that Catherine make you feel, not answer any questions. ground, with plenty of heavily aged grit.” isn’t the perfect feminist and that she I don’t know the answer to any ques- doesn’t have all the right answers,” she tions. None of us do. But it is supposed says. “She was just so openly free and to make us all talk about it, at least in a ahead of her time and loved sex, and she more conscious way.” got to explore all of that, but as with most brilliant women in society, she was also reduced to a rumor about having sex Sidney Flanigan with a horse, eve though she was in the ACTOR, “NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS” Enlightenment period, and was gorgeous and did all these incredible things in sci- Flanigan had never acted before she was ence and art. I’m seriously so happy that cast in the lead role of Eliza Hittman’s Lou Eyrich “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” as a COSTUME DESIGNER, “THE PROM” we get to tell her story.” shy teenage girl who travels to New York Eyrich has created some iconic costumes City to seek an abortion. But her perfor- as part of Ryan Murphy’s world. Her role Dominique Fishback mance boasts far rarer qualities than just is so integral to his vision, that Eyrich WRITER/ACTOR, “JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH” first-timer naturalism: managing to con- is now credited as a producer on many vey striking depths of carefully withheld The playwright, spoken word artist of his shows. The most challenging part feeling and trauma with very few words, and actor is heartbreaking as Deborah of her job, Eyrich says, is “the fact that only for the dam to burst with a shatter- Johnson (now known as Akua Njeri), we [Ryan Murphy Prods.] had five other ing scene in which the only words she the pregnant girlfriend of Black Panther projects in production at the same time.” speaks are the ones in the title. She’s been Illinois chairman Fred Hampton. For “The Prom,” Eryrich says Murphy, honored with a lead actress nomination I WANTED TO USE Fishback journals as her characters — the Broadway play itself, the story, and, from the Spirit Awards, a breakthrough MY STYLISTIC “I write, I can’t stop” — and even wrote of course, the cast were all inspiring fac- TOUCH TO performance prize from the National a poem that was added to the film’s script. tors when it came to taking the job. She PORTRAY THESE Board of Review and several critics’ got to create costumes for Meryl Streep, FOLKS IN A REALISTIC WAY.” groups awards. Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells and — MEGAN James Corden. STARK EVANS Images; Flack: Dave Bedrosian/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-al Apple; Fanning: Jewell/Invision/AP Taylor Fennell: Ben Toner; Evans: Images USA/AP Images/Sipa / SOPA Landaos Images; Flanigan: Efren Fishback: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 61

her characteristics as long as it served “The Assistant,” playing Jane, the tit- bring the somewhat autobiographical Mohamedou’s story. That was the most ular worker in an office of an abusive story to life. Goldberg says she and Russo- important thing for her, that Mohamedou and unseen film producer. She says she Otstot were working on another adap- could find some sense of justice through was instantly intrigued by Kitty Green’s tation when the Russos brought them the film’s telling.” film. “I thought it was very different “Cherry.” She says: “My response to the from any other role or movie I’ve done book was immediate. The narrator’s voice before. I was a huge fan of Kitty Green’s leapt off the page. He was raw, funny, film ‘Casting JonBenet,’ and was a fan poetic and unflinching. It was like read- Jodie Foster of her work as a filmmaker in general,” ing ‘The Basketball Diaries’ and ‘Catcher ACTOR, “THE MAURITANIAN” says Garner. “When I read the script, I in the Rye,’ but for the post 9/11 genera- loved it right away. When I met her, it tion whose lives had been shaped by Iraq Foster has earned a Golden Globe nom was an easy ‘yes.’” and the scourge of the opioid crisis.” for her role in the film; in discussing As for playing such wildly different Their first step was to visit Cleveland, what attracted her to the project, she characters, Garner notes, “They were even eating at the restaurant where both says: “The most important reason we all both equally challenging, but in entirely Walker and Joe Russo once worked. “We came together to do ‘The Mauritanian’ different ways. Ruth handles pain exter- walked the walk of the book, the banks, was for Mohamedou Ould Slahi. His nally, whereas Jane handles her pain the neighborhoods, the colleges, hospitals story has so much to teach us all about internally. Ruth talks all of the time, with and the forgotten alleyways. We talked becoming the best human being you pos- an accent, while Jane internalizes every- to young people struggling to make ends sibly can. In his case, he was subjected thing. I had to work on my inner dialogue meet, and young adults who had come of to fear, dehumanization, isolation and for Jane more than any other character I age during the worst of the opioid epi- torture. But he didn’t let it break him. played before for that reason.” demic, when the city needed to bring His faith brought him through that dark- in freezer trucks because there wasn’t ness using forgiveness, compassion, joy, enough room in the morgues. By the time love and humanity. What a genuinely that trip to Cleveland was over, Angela beautiful man.” and I were knee deep in the story, it was Of the woman she portrays, Foster begging to be written.” says: “Nancy Hollander is such a hero for anyone who believes in social justice, civil rights and the rule of law. She’s also this Julia Garner fascinating contradiction. She loves her ACTOR, “THE ASSISTANT” AND “OZARK” bright red lipstick, painted nails, race cars Garner picked up her second Emmy and country western music! She’s a hoot. Award and just scored a Globe nomi- Jessica Goldberg Of course, when she and Mohamedou are nation and two SAG noms for her work SCREENWRITER, “CHERRY”

e/Invision/AP Images; Mauritanian: Graham Bartholomew/STX; Guerriero: Frances Lacuzzi Frances Guerriero: Bartholomew/STX; Images; Mauritanian: Graham e/Invision/AP together they love to tease one another as Ruth Langmore on Netflix’s “Ozark” In adapting Nico Walker’s novel about like two old family members. The real and is now nominated for a Golden Globe a former Army medic who begins rob- Nancy is much nicer and more polite and a SAG Award for her work on that bing banks to fund his opioid addiction, Misha Green than my version of Nancy, though. She same Emmy-winning third season. She directors Joe and Anthony Russo turned SHOWRUNNER, didn’t mind me exaggerating some of also earned kudos for her lead role in to Goldberg and Angela Russo-Otstot to “LOVECRAFT COUNTRY” Green, who is the lone female showrun- ner of an ongoing series nominated at the Golden Globes this year, may have had Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel as source mate- rial for the first season of her premium cable drama, but the long-time lover of mashing up genres only wanted to us it as a jumping-off point. “The show, at its core, is a family drama, and our heroes will have to deal with the monsters of their pasts to come together to deal with the physical monsters in their present,” she previously told Variety.

Cheryl Guerriero SCREENWRITER, “PALMER” “Palmer” stars Justin Timberlake as a col- lege football star recently released from prison who embarks on an unexpected friendship with Sam, a young gender- nonconforming boy that his grand- Jodie Foster is mother often looks after. Guerriero’s already Golden script was named to the 2016 Black List Globe-nominated of best unproduced screenplays before for “The director Fisher Stevens took the helm Mauritanian.” Foster: Robert Trachtenberg; Garner: Tiffany Nicholson; Goldberg: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Green: Brent N. Clark Brent Images; Green: USA/AP Garner: Tiffany Nicholson; Goldberg: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa Robert Trachtenberg; Foster: and the movie is now available on Apple acclaim andglowing critical reviews, All ofthehard work paidoffin awards to playthepiano, right before filming. new language(Yiddish), aswell ashow part limitedseries. Haas hadtolearna religious communityinNetflix’s four- a young woman whofleesanoppressive gripping andemotionalportrayal ofEsty, TV buttooktheStates by stormforher inated Haas firstrose tofameonIsraeli The Emmy andnow GoldenGlobenom- ACTOR, Shira Haas an unlikely way.” our truthscanbringpeopletogetherin in whichbeingvulnerable andspeaking ferent characters andexplore theways to dive intotheseseeminglyvastly dif- didn’t? Butmore importantly, Iwas eager football orbehave inacertainway andhe in aplace where hewas expected toplay story hitme—whatifthislittleboylived able inhisskin,Iwasn’t. That’s when the this littleboy, whoseemedvery comfort- I was anything butfeminine...but unlike with Tonka trucks, green army men,and when Iwas alittlegirl, except Iplayed feminine andhereminded meofmyself Barbie dolls. His mannerisms were very across alittleboy whowas playing with was walking inVenice BeachandIcame what thestorywould be.” acter like thesemen.Ijustdidn’t know found myself wanting towriteachar- ten soberandrebuilt theirlives, thatI abuse andwhohadreturned home, got- in prisonduetoalcoholismanddrug being around menwhohadspenttime But itwasn’t untilIhadtheprivilegeof sider, feeling empty, lost, incomplete. had my fairshare offeelinglike anout- or aparent,” says Guerriero. “And I’ve you, it doesn’t make themyour mother, that justbecausesomeonegives birthto families cometogetherinmany ways and babies soI’ve always heldthebeliefthat TV Plus. “My sister andIwere adoptedas 62 Haas “more beliefinmyself,” shesays. sure, but even more importantly, itgave Continues Guerriero, “ThenonedayI ● AWARDS CIRCUIT “UNORTHODOX” ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON in “Minari.” Steven Yeunstar Yeri Han and — KIRSTEN JOHNSON ALREADY LOST.” WHAT IHAD RAGE AGAINST TRYING TO ME BETWEEN THE TENSION THIS FILM WAS CHALLENGE IN THE the credits are finished rolling. story, you holdherwithyou, longafter and soul.You don’t loseMonica inthe audible sensebutofthemind,body their voices are heard, notjust inthe is anexample forallwomen toensure rience, sheexudes strength. Her Monica in storiesaboutaminorityfamily’s expe- caricature thatcanbetoooftendepicted Monica. Not fallingintothesubmissive whelmed yet loving wifeandmother Isaac “Minari” Chung’s astheover- Han istheemotionalbackboneofLee ACTOR, Yeri Han “MINARI” a great struggleforme.” me, andknowing whatwas coming was future coming was really frighteningto Alzheimer’s withmy mother, seeingthe lost, butbecauseI’d beenthrough the says Johnson. “My dad,thatI’d already to rage againstwhatIhadalready lost,” film was thetensionbetween metrying taries oftheyear. “The challengeinthis the mostmoving andcreative documen- him increative ways. Theresult isoneof she would make afilminwhichshekilled decided thattohelpprocess heremotion father was sufferingfrom dementia,she When filmmaker Johnson learnedher “DICK CO-WRITER/DIRECTOR/DP, Kirsten Johnson JOHNSON IS DEAD” THE as theseamazingwomen oneday.” have abodyof work asdiverse andstrong Eiko Ishioka asinspirations. “I hopeto Francine Tanchuck, Sandy Powell and She citesiconssuchas Ruth E. Carter, ferent stylesandtrends from thattime.” dive intoresearch anddepictsomany dif- in fashionandIwas thrilledtobeable tion. Also1969ismy absolutefavorite year their communityaboutself-determina- dren, startingmedicalclinicsandteaching were communityorganizers feedingchil- and notwhattheywere vilifiedfor. They Party forSelfDefensewhattheywere I wanted peopletoseetheBlackPanther munity iswhatinspired metodothisfilm. about ChairmanFred’s love forthecom- during theCleveland shoot.“Learning clothingbuilding andsourcing 1960s that theyhadonlyfive weeks toprep, and even quicker on my feet.” Shenotes definitely mademeabetterdesigner I ever hadtodress,” shesays. “This movie star. “This was the largest ensemble cast cliché —quiteafeatfor the risingdesign lot ofperiodclothing that never fallsinto performance by Daniel Kaluuya and a police and theFBI features anelectric Panther Fred Hampton by Chicago ofBlackThe storyofthe 1969 murder COSTUME Charlese Antoinette Jones BLACK DESIGNER, MESSIAH” “JUDAS 02.17.2021 AND

Minari: Josh Ethan Johnson/A24; Haas: Steve Cohn/Invision for Focus Features/AP Images; Han: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP Images; Johnson: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP Images; Jones: Kat Contreras 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 63

away with new discoveries or things I focused on the trauma they’re escaping. would do differently,” she says. “But that’s It’s not even focused on the immediate what makes the process so rewarding. challenges of trying to make ends meet. You are constantly learning and growing. It’s mostly about this family trying to heal You pick new techniques up along the the scars left by distance and time. That way and find ways to implement them makes it universal.” on the next assignment.” It was important to her not to mythologize these legends, whom peo- ple still remember and feel they know. “Humanity, humility and vulnerability were touchstones we would go back to if anyone seemed to be losing their way.” The film resonates with viewers who see many of the same issues of racial injustice today. “The discussions between Beatriz Levin Malcolm and Sam were happening before PRODUCER, “DA 5 BLOODS” AND anyone knew about a Malcolm X or a Sam “THE MAURITANIAN” Cooke. So for Black people the moment Levin’s name can be found on two is always now, regardless of in what year awards contenders this season; “The the conversation is taking place.” Mauritanian” and Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Jennifer Lame Bloods.” For someone who has three Nicole Kidman EDITOR, “TENET” producing credits to her name, it’s a great start. Levin says working on “Da ACTOR, “THE PROM” AND A BAFTA, Eddie and Independent ACTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 5 Bloods” had its hurdles, but with an Spirit Award nominee for her work “THE UNDOING” auteur behind it, she knew she was in on “Manchester by the Sea,” Lame Q: What was it like playing the roles brought her skills to Christopher Nolan’s good hands. “The challenge of ‘Da 5 of Grace in “The Undoing” and Angie time-tripping thriller — her first collab- Bloods’ was bringing so many parts together,” Levin says. “Helping to tell a in “The Prom” back to back? oration with the director. Nolan himself “Playing Angie after being Grace in story that crosses generations was one of has said this was his hardest movie ever ‘Undoing’ for most of the year was like the more interesting and inspiring ideas Vanessa Kirby to cut, with events looping in on them- a study in contrasts … from a composed ACTOR, “PIECES OF A WOMAN” AND of the film. It examines the [Vietnam] selves and moving backward through introvert with layers of inner life to a “THE WORLD TO COME” war and racial injustice through a mod- sion/AP Images; Levin: Beatriz Levin; King: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images; Images; Agostini/Invision/AP Beatriz King: Evan Images; Levin: Levin; sion/AP time. But Lame clearly rose to the occa- brassy singing, dancing extrovert. A lit- After wowing audiences on the first ern lens in a way only Spike Lee can do.” sion, helping to showcase many “wow” tle whiplash involved, but I kept thinking two seasons of “The Crown” and in moments throughout the film. “My big- it was like being in repertory theater and action blockbusters including “Mission: gest challenge was first to not let all the tried to have fun with it.” Impossible — Fallout,” Kirby felt she was initial challenges get in my way of doing ready to tackle a lead role. And as Martha, my best work,” she says. “Aside from a woman who loses her baby in child- working with the filmmaker for the first birth, Kirby landed the Volpi Cup for best time I didn’t know anyone on my team actress at the Venice Film Festival. She — the editorial team were all crew who also just scored both Golden Globe and had worked on previous Nolan films — SAG noms and Oscar buzz could not be and I was faced with material I had never higher for her raw, heartbreaking turn. really worked with before. I gave myself Monica Levinson She also plays a supporting role in Mona the first few weeks in Los Angeles before PRODUCER, “BORAT SUBSEQUENT Fastvold’s “The World to Come,” as Tally, we left for the shoot to be both nervous MOVIEFILM” AND “WANDER DARKLY”; an unhappily married woman in the 19th EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, Regina King and also ask a ton of questions. After that century American frontier who begins “THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7” DIRECTOR, “ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI” I hunkered down and tried to focus on an affair with Katherine Waterston’s Q: What appealed to you about work- King turned seamlessly from acting to the task at hand, which was the real chal- Abigail. “I actually felt ignorant about ing on two films as different as “Borat” directing with “One Night in Miami,” lenge of piecing the material together in not knowing that, in 1860, many women and “Wander Darkly?” Or are they a way that made sense to the audience Kemp Powers’ play about the evening had no choice about anything that they more similar than people might think? when Cassius Clay became the boxing enough so that they could then enjoy the did with their time, let alone someone “I have always been obsessed with champ. Instead of going to a party to cel- film. Thankfully my team ended up being that they love. And I felt that that was comedy, but life is a mixture of drama ebrate, he opted for a quiet celebration of amazing and were so patient while teach- such an untold story, that [it] was such and comedy and I am grateful to be ice cream with Malcolm X, singer Sam ing me all the technical aspects that were a voice from the past that has been sort able to swing between the two in my Cooke and NFL great Jim Brown. new to me, such as working in Imax film of forgotten.” career. And while they may appear to The helmer, who earned a Golden etc., so I could focus on doing my job and be polar opposites (and they are!), I am Globe nomination for directing the film, editing the film.” driven by telling great stories and collab- says the biggest challenge was not to orating with amazing storytellers. [The make the film have the feel of a play. “But films] are not alike, except that they both I felt Kemp’s dialogue was so powerful have the ability to deeply resonate with that with the right actors, those moments, people. In both films, I was able to col- if they came up, would be forgiven,” King laborate with the best of the best and says. “We spend quite a bit of time in one tell stories that I hope connected with room. So we decided to use artistic license audiences and inspired emotion in their and make the room considerably bigger own unique ways.” than what the actual room would have been. To help lean into the vitality of these Jayme Lawson men, we decided to keep the camera mov- ACTOR, “FAREWELL AMOR” ing at all times throughout the film.” “It’s an immigrant story that I hadn’t King says she took notes when she was seen before,” says Lawson, who is cur- acting and used them for her directorial rently shooting “The Batman.” “It’s not Kidman: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/AP Images; Kirby: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Images; Lame: Richard Shotwell/Invi Richard Images; Lame: Images; Kirby: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP USA/AP Agency/Sipa Collin/Image Press Kidman: Xavier Levinson: David Hartcorn; Lawson: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP Images Jewell/Invision/AP Taylor David Hartcorn; Lawson: Levinson: debut. “With everything I’ve done I walk 64 for thethird time. Yes, yes andyes.” years. Isaidyes toworking withmy son character I’ve wanted toplay formany empathy andtolerance. Isaidyes toa seconds. Isaidyes toagreat storyoflove, “I didn’t thinkaboutitformore than10 ACTOR, Sophia Loren more relaxed whenI’mworking.” rience atyour back,IfindI’msomuch be abletodothatwhenyou have expe- And particularlyforawoman, Ithink,to taste andmake ourown contributions. own experience andourown senseof versation —andare expected touseour given permissiontobeapartofthecon- shut,” shepreviously told ing isthatIdon’t have tokeep my mouth credits. “ThethingIlove about produc- produceralso addingco-executive toher Netflix’s money-laundering drama, sheis for herrole asmatriarch Wendy Byrde on Linney isn’t justamulti-award nominee ACTOR, Laura Linney deeply withme,” shesays. and yet beautifullessonthathasresonated forced tohearthemelody inlife. Apainful thoughts through songanddance, Zoeyis natural abilitytohearpeople’s innermost issue shecannotsolve. Through hersuper- months lefttolive, she’s confronted withan neurological conditionandgiven afew when herfatherisdiagnosedwitharare always prepared tosolve any problem, but computerprogrammer who’swhip-smart for theGoldenGlobenominee. “Zoey isa provided thebest oflearningexperiences edy tofarce todeepgriefover death—has NBC seriestakes —from romantic com- That, coupledwiththebigtonalswingsher she was never thecenterofamusicalseries. Levy hasbeentheleadofshows before, but EXTRAORDINARY ACTOR, Jane Levy ● AWARDS CIRCUIT “THE “OZARK” “ZOEY’S LIFE PLAYLIST” AHEAD” Variety . “We’re ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON Globe andSAG Award nominations for that’s found.She’s already earnedGolden of love lost,andrunningaway from one and desperately holdingany semblance Fern, having herlifeamongthenomads, She seesthefragility ofhercharacter, Ebbing, Missouri” plays by herown rules. “Fargo” and“Three Billboards Outside Oscar-winningThe two-time actress of ACTOR/PRODUCER, Frances McDormand to take onsomethinglike that.” ent. It’s really funasacostumedesigner the ’70s, everyone looked totallydiffer- in 2017. “By theendof’60sandinto worked withSorkinon“Molly’s Game” ous coupleofdecades,” saysLyall, who moved outoftheirlooksfrom theprevi- a momentwhenmenandwomen really hand,” shetold “so itdoesn’t take away from thestory at band, was toneddown forthescreen, often punctuatedwithasignature head- points outthatonoccasion,Rubin’s look, lot withhisappearance,” Lyall says. She face allthetime. He was really doinga of provocative costumesandpaintedhis life thanothers. “Jerry Rubin wore alot of thecharacters, somestayingtruerto ating theindividualwardrobes foreach “Rachel GettingMarried”— begancre- credits include“Empire Records” and point, as ajumping-off Lyall —whose historical images 1960s look? Using not make ita,well, costumey kitschy really didhappen—butthis story make theoutfitstruetolife—since “The Trial oftheChicago7”:how to The veteran hadabigchallengewith OF COSTUME Susan Lyall THE CHICAGO DESIGNER, Variety 7” “NOMADLAND” “THE in October. “It was TRIAL Handmaid’s Tale” hasbeenoffsince Although herEmmy-winning series“The ACTOR, Elisabeth Moss company tokeep. and Oprah Winfrey. That’s somegood both ofthosecategories:Barbra Streisand two women have ever beennominatedin producing inthesameyear. To date, only woman tobenominatedforactingand ture andactress, shecouldbethefirst in thecritics’awards forbothbest pic- stands tomake history. Currently leading her acting. Asaproducer ofthefilm,she talented people, both on-andoff-screen, meaningful toseethe work ofsomany hands,” shejokes. “It’s alsoincredibly pry ‘Schitt’s Creek’ from my cold,dead reached thepointofsomeonehaving to her because“itmeansthatwe haven’t tinued love fortheshow meansalotto Globe andSAG nomination. The con- has anEmmy Award andbothaGolden and crew onwhomtolean,butshealso has anewsurrogate familyinhercast on theCanadiancomedy, shenotonly the show, shesays. Andaftersixseasons learned how toactduringmy time”on on “Schitt’s Creek” changedherlife:“I Murphy isnotshy abouthow working ACTOR, Annie Murphy was aconnectionIdidn’t expect.” of horror juxtaposedwithrealism. That the entire trajectory shifts…theelements you thinkyou’re goingoneway andthen to. Thetoneofherstories; theway that so similartotheprojects thatIamdrawn much ofwhatShirleyJackson hasdoneis Moss. “And thenIread everything. So she really was untilIgotthejob,” says writers, butIdidn’t know how influential ration toStephen Kingandothernotable that was it.Iknewthatshe was aninspi- Jackson. and “Ihadread ‘TheLottery’ admits shedidn’t know muchabout author ShirleyJackson. Goingin,Moss “Shirley,” alargely fictionalstoryabout mon forgenre films. Andshestarred in an abusive genius, earningraves notcom- Man,” sheplayed theterrorized wifeof wildly different roles. In“TheInvisible son thisyear), Moss stayed busywithtwo August 2019(itreturns withafourthsea- AND “SHIRLEY” “THE “SCHITT’S INVISIBLE CREEK” MAN” life all about?,’ ‘What isourpurpose is as ambitiousanddeepas ‘What in 2016. Beingabletoexplore themes rector] Pete Docterpitchedmeback from thefirstinklingof ‘Soul’ that [co-di- essence ofhumanbeings. “I was inspired hit explores deepquestionsaboutthe debut astheDisney/Pixar animated short “Lou”)andit’s quiteanambitious ducer (shewon anOscarforanimated This is Murray’s firstfeature asapro- PRODUCER, Dana Murray we wrapped.” being celebrated ayear andahalfafter for years andyears tocome.’ ” plays thispart,I’llbedesperately sad immediately went to: ‘If anybody else was justsuchanimmediateyes. AndI instinct whenitcomestowork. Andit one go, sortofmanic.Ihave agut me laugh,andalsoIread itsortofallin And itsortofterrifiedme, andalsomade I just didn’t even know where toputit. And Ihadnotseenanything like it.And “I justhadnever read anything like it. when you read thescript? Cassie andwhatwas your reaction Q: Whatattracted you totherole of ACTOR, Carey Mulligan honesty andbadassery.” many ofusneedmore of:Fearlessness, Need Isaymore? Sherepresents whatso well, sheisFrances Effing McDormand! and friend.AndFrances McDormand … more importantly, tomesheisapartner producer, executive andstoryteller, but utive producer on ‘Soul.’ She isawriter, Frances McDormand. Kiriwas an exec- heroes are two standouts, KiriHart and and paved theway intofilm.Amongmy of mewhohave broken down barriers “I am grateful toallthewomen ahead says. Lookingaround thebiz,shesays, fulfilling next fouryears ofmy life,” she alities comefrom?’ — itmadeforavery on Earth?’ and ‘Where doourperson- “PROMISING “SOUL” YOUNG 02.17.2021 WOMAN”

Levy: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Lyall: Susan Lyall; Moss: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/AP Images; Murray: Deborah Coleman/Pixar; Linney: zz/Demis Maryannakis/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images; Loren: Henning Kaiser/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images; McDormand: Dave Bedrosian/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images; Murphy: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Mulligan: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Images Shirley: Neon; Park: John Lamparski/Getty Images; Neal: Mia Neal; Nixon, O’Hara: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images (2); Paulson: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images 02.17.2021 process, Neal adds, “Iusedsharp, thick wig forViola Davis’ Ma. Explaining her through alacefoundation, buildingher coated withmanure andliceeggs.” directly from thehorse, soitarrived covered “thehairturnedouttobecut before, Neal received aparcel anddis- she hadnever worked withhorsehair authenticity, Neal beganhersearch. Since had suggestedhorsehair, andtoensure the motherofblues. work onGeorge C.Wolfe’s filmabout she wore inreal life,” Neal says ofher horsehair forMa, becausethat’s what was makinganauthenticwigoutof the hairfor‘Ma Rainey’s BlackBottom’ “The mostchallengingpartofdoing BLACK HAIR/MAKEUP, Mia Neal One by one, Neal picked thestrands It was costume designerAnnRoth who BOTTOM” “MA RAINEY’S have theopportunitytowork on.” onto projects thatIwouldn’t normally that shehastrustedme, andbrought me treat themasindividuals, andindoing has auniqueabilitytoseepeopleand I willbeforever grateful toherfor. She that haselevated my career inaway that it’s given meopportunitiesandexposure under herwingabout10years agoand look atdesign.” Sheadds, “She tookme she broadened my eye intheway thatI that through working with herclosely, First ofall,she’s agenius, andIcansay mother becauseAnnchangedmy life. Neal admires. “Icallhermy fairygod- wig-making process down considerably.” cut. Allofthesechallengesslowed the scissors tocutthewigintoa1920sbob selves gay, it’s abigdeal.” played by two women whoare them- Variety. olent women,” Nixon previously told pedophiles andcoldvillainousmalev- exist, we exist asterrifyingperverts and gay characters ofany kind.Andwhenwe part ofthe20thcentury, there are sofew think backonthemovies inthemiddle Mildred Ratchedoriginstory: “If you On theimportanceofNetflix’s newnurse ACTOR, Cynthia Nixon Roth happenstobesomeonewhom “To actuallygettoseeacouple “RATCHED” to writing.” people laugh.Iaminspired togetback I dowishtokeep working andmaking my seriously funny andtalentedfriends. ate aridiculouscharacter andwork with grateful forhaving theopportunity tocre- last week [ofshootingthefinale].Iamso “My tearswere attheready thatwhole bittersweet forcomedylegendO’Hara: SAG nom.Butinotherways ithasbeen nom, aswell asasecondconsecutive and now herfirst-ever GoldenGlobe including herfirst-ever actingEmmy come withmajorawards accolades, Saying goodbye to“Schitt’s Creek” has “SCHITT’S ACTOR/CONSULTING Catherine O’Hara CREEK” PRODUCER, Stuhlbarg. alongside Michael starred in “Shirley” Elisabeth Moss — DANA MURRAY BARRIERS.” DOWN BROKEN WHO HAVE AHEAD OFME WOMEN TO ALL THE GRATEFUL I AM The Asian-Americancomposerscored SONGWRITER, Helen Park parity inproduction. committed totheHalf Initiative, creating asMurphy’sment on-set, projects are still was thefemale-heavy teamandenviron- “empowered” andencouraged, though, ties,” Paulson says. Whathelpedherfeel also my weaknesses andmy vulnerabili- means thatIbringmy fullstrength and I trytobringmy fullselfintoit,which of challenge. “Anytime Idoanything, Horror butthiswas anewkind Story”), think aboutherseasonson“American before (just of scarythingson-camera Nest.” Arguably, Paulson hasdonealot from “One FlewOver theCuckoo’s origin story ofnurseMildred Ratched their newjointventure, thedramatic her purviewtoalsoincludeproducing Golden GlobenomineePaulson expanded Ryan Murphy in2011asa performer, After firstteamingupwithuber-producer “RATCHED” ACTOR/EXECUTIVE Sarah Paulson Park says. fresh andsonewexcitingtome,” embodied intheseAsianbodiesfeltso with someoneelse—allthatexperience of grievingandgoingthroughthatgrief screenwriter AudreyWells. dess fromdirectorGlenKeaneandlate in hopesofmeetingafamousmoongod- the taleofagirlwhobuildsrocketship “Over theMoon.”Parkfellinlovewith Duffield, thesongsforNetflix’sanimated and wrote,withChrisCurtisMarjorie the upcomingBroadwaymusical“Kpop” “The fact that this universal experience “The factthatthisuniversalexperience “OVER PRODUCER, VARIETY THE MOON” ● 65 66 get bored quickly,” Pfeiffersays. why Iinsistonscaringmyself. Maybe I roles thatare challenging. Idon’t know an underlyingfragility. Itypicallypick she pleaseswithnofilter. Shealsohas attitude andherabilitytosaywhatever that Iadmire —thetake-no-prisoners easily forme. Butthere isapartofher “This typeofcharacter doesnotcome ACTOR, Michelle Pfeiffer extremely excited tocomeonboard!” investment inthecharacters mademe be apartoftheproject. Hisenergy and and setdesigninspired metowant to creating. Jeremy’s keen senseofcolor and texture foreachsetwe would be Woodward. “We satanddiscussedmood tion from production designerJeremy past andpresent.” Pavoni foundinspira- would give viewers aglimpseintohis ure pushedustocreate acanvas that the spaceofacreative yet tortured fig- no room forsuperfluousdecor. Defining cant meaningtothecharacter. There was that every piecehadtohave asignifi- where two peoplelive andwork, meant role. “Given theconfinesofan Airstream, character,” saysPavoni ofRizAhmed’s placed objecttobeareflection ofRuben’s the entire Airstream andwanted every environment. We guttedanddressed rately portraying atraveling musician’s lenging aspectofthisfilmwas accu- connected musician. “Themostchal- townhouse of asuccessfulandsocially children andashabby chicParisian deaf addicts, ajoyful schoolfordeaf also arather bucoliccommunityof get housing inanAirstream trailer, but rock duoandtheirultra-low bud- depicts notonlythelifeofatraveling Darius Marder’s drama “Sound ofMetal” SET Tara Pavoni DECORATOR, ● AWARDS CIRCUIT “FRENCH “SOUND EXIT” OF METAL” ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON Black Bottom.” in “MaRainey’s catching looks Viola Davis’ eye- responsible for Ann Roth was film. Fortunately, Pike says sheshares root for,” Pike sayswithalaughofthe you know, really, there’s nobodygoodto very interesting castofcharacters where, black comedy. “He’s given usthis, this from theelderlyinJ. Blakeson’s pitch- nomination, whoprofits from stealing role thatjustearned Pike aGoldenGlobe opposite endofthespectrumisMarla, a the world needsthat,” saysPike. Onthe biopic abouther. BecauseIdon’t think felt thatthiswas atraditional andweary would have beenahesitationonlyifI’d nominee. “There was nohesitation;there activity was aneasycallfortheOscar Pierre, pioneered research onradio- the scientistwho, withherhusband, plays bothexpertly. Signingontoplay it’s atestament toPike’s range thatshe and Marla Grayson in“ICare aLot,” but parate thanMarie Curiein“Radioactive” It’s hard toimaginetwo roles more dis- “I ACTOR, Rosamund Pike CARE “RADIOACTIVE” A LOT” AND the courseofeightyears intheWhite lowed President Barack Obamaover Pete Souza,thephotographer whofol- while “TheWay centersaround ISeeIt” on thecongressman whodiedinJuly to theelection:“John Lewis”focuses two movies in2020, butbothhadties The documentaryfilmmaker released “JOHN DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, Dawn Porter because Ifeltnopointsofidentification!” was asortofliberating persontoplay nothing incommonwithMarla. “She flames ofthat.” ember ofoptimism;Iwas fanningthe itive message,” notesPorter. “Thatlittle by people’s faithandtheneedforapos- those movies were really pushedalong pandemic andbefore theelection.“Both House. Bothfilmscameoutduringthe AND “THE LEWIS: WAY I GOOD SEE TROUBLE” IT” Q: Whatinterested you intellingthe PRODUCER, Kori Rae people inourlifewhogoabove and but alsoforme. ‘Onward’ isaboutthe for my directing partner, Dan Scanlon, it isadeeplypersonalstory, notonly ing totellthestory of‘Onward’ isthat What appealedtomemostabouthelp- story of“Onward”? “ONWARD” 02.17.2021

Pavoni: Tara Pavoni; Pike: Sipa/AP Images; Porter: Henny Garfunkel/Magnolia Pictures; Rae: Deborah Coleman/Pixar; Pfeiffer: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: David Lee/Netflix Reichardt: Godlis; Roth: Joe Russo/Sipa USA/AP Images; Seyfried: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images; Rim: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images; Russo-Otstot: Angela Russo-Otstot; Taylor-Joy: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Images; Swift: zz/John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images 02.17.2021 Gennie Rim even ifitwas more than100years ago. silence ofaworld thatfeelsalltoofamiliar, ors, thebeautyofnature, theimpactof both inethnicityandtime. Sheshows col- brilliantly by John Magaro andOrionLee, the friendshipoftwo strangers, played decades. With “FirstCow,” sheexamines pages have beenunmatchedfortwo surety behindthecamera andthescript’s learned orisjustinnate. Reichardt’s It canbedebatedifconfidence WRITER/DIRECTOR, Kelly Reichardt nection ismore importantthanever.” around theworld, atatimewhencon- and resonated withmillionsofpeople this very personalstory isalsouniversal own journey. What’s sogratifying isthat guidance andlove aswe navigate our important, andlooktothemforhelp, in ourlife, even ifwe’ve lostsomeone reminds ustolookaround atwho‘is’ a friend,teacherormentor. Thestory ways, whetherthat’s asibling, arelative, beyond insupportingusany andall pletely inlove andequallyconfident most-revered goddesses. Iwas com- Moon tomeetChang’e, oneofChina’s ligence, wants tobuildarocket tothe by herfaith,determinationandintel- amazing 12-year-old Chinesegirl,who grateful toread aboutthejourneyofthis script andwe immediatelydove intoit. Audrey Wells’ beautifulfirstdraft ofthe the talktopitchusfilm.Sheshared Peilin proceeded tohuntusdown after characters andstoryin‘Over theMoon.’ message andhow italignedwith the ence thatdayandwas taken by Glen’s time andlookingforadirector. ‘Over theMoon’ atPearl Studio atthe Producer Peilin Chouwas developing tiful talkon‘ThinkingLike aChild.’ Film Festival in2017. Glengave abeau- animated film? to beapartofbringingitlifeasan the Moon” andwhatmadeyou want Q: How didyou findthestory of“Over PRODUCER, share ‘DearBasketball’ attheAnnecy “By page20, Iwas intearsandso “Luckily forus, shewas inthe audi- “Glen Keane andIwere invited to “OVER THE “FIRST MOON” COW” SCREENWRITER, Angela Russo-Otstot fourth collaboration with George C.Wolfe. and “Ma Rainey’s BlackBottom”asher Scott Rudin on31,Meryl Streep 14 times worked withMike Nichols on21projects, picks herprojects based onfriendship. She only findtheminthecourtsofEngland.” made ofhorsehair,” Roth chuckles. “You’ll horsehair wig. “Idefyyou tofindawig ment headMiaNeal, whomadeDavis a suit was made, next camethewig. another project atthetime—once movie —Davis was wrapping upwork on rubber suitthatViola Davis wears inthe legend, Aretha Franklin, tobuildthe Black Bottom,” Roth looked atanother How muchdotheycost? on thefloor?Doesshecare aboutthem? bed, where are thoseclothes?Dotheyfall Are herbra straps dirty?Whenshegoesto work involves askingsuchquestionsas: when buildingacharacter through her Legendary costumedesignerRoth’s detail “MA COSTUME Ann Roth animation noless.” that thisfilmneededtobemade, andin odds strongly against you, can enacta which hasbeenengineered tostack the love. Thedecisiontotake apill,one even takes thelives) ofpeopleIdearly and have seenittake over thelives (and inflicts, particularlythatofOxycontin, also known thetrauma drugaddiction for thatIfeltdeeplyconnected.have shaped meintowhoIamtoday, and These were thepeopleandplaceswho grit whichdefinesmany Clevelanders. ing aboutwere emblematicofthevery It alsofeltasifthepeopleIwas read- through thestorywithallofmy senses. ing thenovel, it feltasifIwas traveling takes placein,” shesays. “Whenread- Cleveland thatamajorityofthebook also happentobefrom thevery partof she related immenselytothestory. “I Jessica found Goldberg), Russo-Otstot the bigscreen (with co-screenwriter In adaptingNico Walker’s novel for Roth last won anOscarin1997and She alsocollaborated withhairdepart- To buildthecostumes for“Ma Rainey’s RAINEY’S DESIGNER, BLACK “CHERRY” BOTTOM” a road filledwithsuchdespair.” which pointstohope, even afterwalking felt enormouslyimportanttotellastory tidal wave ofinsurmountablepain.It mentaries, two chart-topping newstudio in 2020, managingtorelease two docu- goes, Swift didn’t do toomuchslacking As farasquarantine-times productivity “MISS SINGER/SONGWRITER, Taylor Swift explain thatinthismovie.” man. I’msogladwe gotthechanceto doing theresearch shesimplyloved this Hollywood lore. “It was socleartome Davies, oftenamisunderstoodfigure in Seyfried cametoadmire andrespect researching and preparing toplay Davies, the biopic“Lovelace.” Onceshebegan only played areal persononcebefore, in horror films(“Jennifer’s but Body”) Mia!”) tocomedies(“Mean Girls”)and done everything from musicals(“Mamma fied ofgettingmy hopesup.” Seyfriedhas terrified ofbeingdisappointed,I’mterri- expectations formy career becauseI’m join hisworld,” saysSeyfried.“Ihave low Fincher fan.Inever expected tobeable the director’s name. “I’mahugeDavid but shewas soldthemomentsheheard wanted totalkheraboutaproject, her agenttoldthatDavid Fincher didn’t know muchaboutthestorywhen the heartoffilm.Seyfriedadmitsshe love ofWilliam RandolphHearst, that’s formance asMarion Davies, thelongtime Seyfried’s per- GoldenGlobe-nominated While thefilmiscalled“Mank,” it’s ACTOR, Amanda Seyfried AMERICANA” “MANK” — AMANDA SEYFRIED WORLD.” HISTO JOIN TO BE ABLE EXPECTED FAN. INEVER DAVID FINCHER I’M AHUGE be particularlytragic.” ple’s hopesdashed.AndIfoundthatto tried sohard. Isaw alotofyoung peo- had canvassed anddoneeverything and hard toseesomany peoplefeellike they congressman orcongresswoman. It was candidate, whetheritwas asenatoror many young peoplewhorallied fortheir Variety after themidtermelections”Swift told lack fortopicality, either:“Iwrote it for thefilm,“Only theYoung,” doesn’t of theartist,whileSwift’s originalsong awakening, gave theworld anewview Lana Wilson, aboutthesinger’s political mentary “Miss Americana,” directed by year —alongtheway. Plus, herhitdocu- tions —includingalbumandsongofthe dar year, earningfive Grammy nomina- albums andonelive albuminthecalen- threatens tocutrightthrough it.” down thecamera lens, herflintyglare actor “somagneticthatwhenshestares Netflix project, Framke calledheran chess prodigy BethHarmon inthat Ofherwork as“Gambit’s”Gambit”). and oneSAG (againfor“TheQueen’s the limitedseries“TheQueen’s Gambit”) Golden Globes(forthefilm“Emma”and nominations inthisawards season:two Taylor-Joy hasalready nabbedthree QUEEN’S ACTOR, Anya Taylor-Joy lastyear, “whenthere were so “EMMA” GAMBIT” AND VARIETY “THE ● 67 68 time loop, gettingcloserwithevery repeat. and Nyles (AndySamberg), are caughtina In “Palm Springs,” Sarah (Cristin Milioti) DIRECTOR Quyen Tran that familynest.” from mepersonally, yet Ididfeelcozyin thing because this character felt faraway gave meapeekintoherspirit. It’s afunny her globaltreks andadventures andthat bility. With Maude, itwas hearingabout I saw him,Ilove hishonestyandvulnera- where. For me, Ijustloved Pete as soonas were partoftheset.Family was every- also thebandofstand-up comediansthat daily, andhisbandofbrothers. There was family. Pete hadhisfamilyaround him of many ofhisfilmsis thelove ofsteadfast sures his own familysodeeply. Thecore feel like family. It’s infectioussincehe trea- set. Judd hasaway ofmakingeveryone “It was avery relaxed andfamily-oriented achieve thatauthenticity? and MaudeApatow andhow didyou was itlike working withPete Davidson you andyour familyfeelssoreal; what Q: Theonscreen relationship between ACTOR, Marisa Tomei the secondseasonofshow. and heart.Temple iscurrently atwork on the Britishfootballteamwithhersavvy Temple’s character proved invaluable to “Ted Lasso.” AsWAG/model Keely Jones, nominated ensembleofthestreamer’s Plus butispartoftheSAG Award- Timberlake for“Palmer” onApple TV with her“Wonder Justin Wheel”co-star The Britishthespiannotonlyreunited ACTOR, Juno Temple a connection. lighting asSarahand Nylesstarttobuild “PALM navigated thefilm’s playoncolorand It wascinematographerTranwho ● SPRINGS” AWARDS CIRCUIT “THE “PALMER” OF KING PHOTOGRAPHY, AND OF STATEN “TED LASSO” ISLAND” ● WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON Marie.” in “Malcolm& Washington John David stars opposite Zendaya she satdown withdirector Max Barbakow family films.” While she grew upwith in speakingaboutfemale protagonists in have toask,‘Whatisstrength?,’ especially strong femaleleads, Twomey notes, “I Asked abouttelling astorywithtwo PRODUCER, Nora Twomey moving images.’ ” myself, ‘Icantellalotmore storieswith film you have many frames. Ithought to have oneframe totellastory, whereas in film school.“Instillphotography, you andenrolledwhen shemoved in toL.A. NYU, foundherpathtocinematography day onebefore lunch.” Sarah’s wake-up [scenes]were shoton on thefirst daywhenTran says, “All of out complicatedsequences,” Tran says. “Oftentimes usingmy kids’Legostofigure a meticulousshotlistandstoryboard. ing tocompromise thevision.” Thatmeant and mappedevery singleshot,“notwant- Tran, whostudiedphotojournalismat Even thoughTran hadatightprep time, That meticulousprep cameinhandy “WOLFWALKERS” we have comeandthe journeyahead.” bered joy, speaksvolume astohow far bling through theforest withunencum- Robyn are up there onthescreen, tum- for boys. Thevery factthatMebh and ‘Wolfwalkers’ outthere forgirlsbutalso I believe itisgoodtohave filmslike love foreachother istransformative. sonalities, theirflaws, theirfights, their celebration oftheirfriendship, theirper- is alonewhenRobyn first meets her. The by theexpectations ofothersandMebh have easylives. InitiallyRobyn istrapped ‘Wolfwalkers,’ Robyn andMebh, don’t Sheadds, “Theprotagonists in edgement ofhumanflaws.” true strength comesfrom theacknowl- that really resonate with usshow usthat carry ourhopewiththem.Thecharacters from characters instoriesbecausethey we’ve beenthrough. We alltake strength times, whatever agewe are, whatever hope thatwe cansurvive through tough element ofourfuture selves, togive us we alllooktostories toshow ussome vulnerability ondisplay. “Ibelieve that leads have tobeinvincible, withlittle in theotherdirection” and now female rytelling pendulumhasbeguntoswing stories ofdamselsindistress, the“sto- previously told to contributethe menu choices,” she like tobeatdinnerpartieswhere Ilike “The Prom,” forexample. “Butmostly I it. That’s whathappenedwithNetflix’s sign ontoproduce, she’ll want tostarin seem funenoughthateven ifshecan’t acting inthem.Sometimesaproject will eye onproducing theminadditionto Washington now reads scriptswithan “LITTLE ACTOR/EXECUTIVE Kerry Washington FIRES Variety EVERYWHERE” PRODUCER, . And that was the . Andthatwas the 02.17.2021

Temple: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/AP Images; Malcolm & Marie: Netflix; Tomei: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images; Tran: Quyen Tran; Twomey: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Washington: zz/Galaxy/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images Waterston: Hubert Boesl/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images; Wright: Matt Sayles/Sundance Institute; Zendaya: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Zhao: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP Images; Winslet: Press Association/AP Images; Youn: Emily Assiran/Contour/Getty Images/Pizza Hut; Zengel: Frederic Kern/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images 02.17.2021 Though the film is a fictionalized account Though thefilmisafictionalizedaccount life Britishpaleontologistinthe1840s. tackled therole ofMary Anning, areal- tor Francis Lee’s “Ammonite,” Winslet for 2008’s “TheReader.” Inwriter-direc- nominations, winningoneforleadactress but luckdoesn’t accountforseven Oscar scrappering-class whogotfuckinglucky,” Winslet describesherselfas“a work- ACTOR, Kate Winslet writing was soextraordinary,” shesays. ally agoodindicator. Thequalityofthe I was terrifiedtodoit.Andthat’s usu- And Iknewwanted todoit,because “[Mona Fastvold] sentmethescript. ACTOR, Katherine Waterston tody ofherchild. help anothersinglemotherregain cus- her daughter’s fatherwhilealsotryingto Mia whoisharboringadeepsecret about a SAG nod.Initsheplayed singlemother she was Emmy-nominated andnow sees Ng’s “LittleFires Everywhere,” forwhich case withHulu’s adaptationofCeleste tiful andsopure.” window intoherworld thatwas sobeau- riety. Francis imaginedaversion ofthis was awoman, shenever gotthatnoto- that shedid,” says Winslet. “Becauseshe cial gainfrom thisextraordinary work never achieved notablesuccessorfinan- I immediatelyfeltforher, given thatshe overwhelmed by how muchadmiration Anning isalltooreal andrelevant. “Iwas by Saoirsea protégé (played Ronan), of Mary embarkingonaromance with “AMMONITE” “THE WORLD TO COME” cult times.” way we helponeanotherthrough diffi- hope andresilience. It’s afilmaboutthe how we guideeachothertohealandfind in away thatmadesensetome. It shows through italone. Thisfilmspeakstothat adversity andpain.We aren’t abletomove story aboutkindnesswhenfacedwith film alsoappealedtomebecauseit’s a particularly importanttoday. Making this this isalways arelevant themeandfeels about ourcapacityforhealing. Ofcourse, struck methatIwanted tomake afilm people were dealingwithlossandit “I read thescriptatatimewhensomany debut with? ect tomake your feature directorial Q: Whatmade“Land”therightproj- DIRECTOR/ACTOR, Robin Wright for femaleactorinasupportingrole. just picked upaSAG Award nomination ing it.Inadditiontocritics’awards, she any point, even whenyou’re notexpect- craft thatyour bigmomentcancomeat frailty, sendingamessagetolovers ofthe mother Soonjaradiates love andnot strength anddeterminationasgrand- beginning inSouthKorea, Youn’s A career thathasspannedfive decades, of aKorean familymoving toArkansas. in LeeIsaac beautifulportrait Chung’s Youn’s talentisbeautifullyondisplay Called “YJ” by many ofhercolleagues, ACTOR, Yuh-Jung Youn “MINARI” “LAND” “MALCOLM ACTOR/PRODUCER, Zendaya she’s young, Zengelhadwiseadviceto and SAG Award nominee. Andthough World.” Andnow she’s aGoldenGlobe Tom Hanks, noless—in“News ofthe first English-languagemovie —opposite of Paul Greengrass, whocastherin Fingscheidt’s festival hitcaughttheeye Awards. That performanceinNora the actress trophy attheGermanFilm Berlin FilmFestival andwinningher miered, makingherasensationatthe when 2019’s “System pre- Crasher” was justclosinginonher11thbirthday she landedherfirstmajorfilmrole, and German actorZengelwas only8when ACTOR, Helena Zengel created abubble, essentially.” that peoplewere safe. Andsowe kindof were goingtodothis, theNo. 1thing is tocol,” Zendaya hassaid.“Becauseifwe sure thatwe hadavery, very strict pro- ferent medicalprofessionals andmaking did thehard work ofconsultingwithdif- David Washington. “Our producers really pandemic withacastofjustherandJohn as producer. Thefilmwas shot duringthe in whichshenotonlystarsbutalsoserves ator Sam Levinsonfor“Malcolm &Marie,” Rue, suffersa relapse. the HBOshow inwhichhercharacter, her role inapairof recent specialsfor ences await aSeason2, Zendaya reprised for herwork on“Euphoria.” Whileaudi- 24 astheyoungest leadactress inadrama when shesnaggedherEmmy attheageof The actor-singer-producer madehistory She thenteamedwith“Euphoria”cre- “NEWS &MARIE” OF THE WORLD” — ROBIN WRIGHT HEALING.” CAPACITY FOR ABOUT OUR MAKE AFILM I WANTED TO and ondisplay. Shedirected thefilm, team yet herclearvisionisexecuted duced “Nomadland” withaveteran you thoughtpossible. Zhaoco-pro- yourself beyond theboundariesofwhat human yearning tolearnandpush Being multi-talentedcomesfrom the True leadershipcomesfrom within. EDITOR, PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/WRITER/ Chloé Zhao because itwon’t ever work.” said. “Don’t trytobesomebodyelse panel inDecember. “Beyourself,” she offer on this report. Mónica Marie Zorrilla contributedto Shali Dore, Jazz Tangcay and of cinema. just totheyear buttheentire landscape plates. That’s Zhao’s contributionnot of atree orthedevastation ofbroken to stretch through Fern’s observation She thenedited,allowing moments loneliness andthefearofconnection. finding thethread between humans’ adapted thenovel by Jessica Bruder, demographic thatfeels invisible. She backdrop, seeingintothesoulsofa maneuvering theAmericanWest’s Variety “NOMADLAND” ’s 10Actors toWatch VARIETY ● 69

Next Round of Oscar Voting AdvancesGroupDiverse to the order todoso. must seeall15shortlisted features in can vote forthefinalnomineesbut shortlist. Members from allbranches the fewentriesfrom Africatomake the Coast, played atToronto andisoneof the Kings,” representing theIvory del Toro; PhilippeLacôte’s “Night of padres AlfonsoCuarón andGuillermo which hasthebackingofMexican com- Fernando Frías’“I’mNo LongerHere,” twice before inthiscategory—and Czech Republic —she’s beennominated Agnieszka Holland’s “Charlatan” forthe tenders forthefinalfive slotsinclude ing challenges. Otherhigh-profile con- shortlist to15inanodpandemicvot- trophy, andtheAcademy expanded the countries were eligibleforthiscoveted starring Mads Mikkelson. Filmsfrom 93 Round,” Denmark’s Oscarsubmission ing ThomasVinterberg’s “Another international trophy thisyear, includ- are plentyofstrong contendersforthe ture andbestpicture categories, there victory lastyear intheinternationalfea- repeat BongJoon Ho’s historicdouble While there’s noobvious candidateto The internationalfeature,documentary,musicandshortcategorieswinnoweddowntheirchoices 70 INT’L FEATURE ● AWARDCIRCUIT ● SHORTLIST UPDATE and makeup Oscar. voting for thehair to thenext round of Bottom” advanced “Ma Rainey’s Black Bustamente, director “La Llorona” Fernando Frías, director “I’m No LongerHere” director “Hope” Konchalovsky, director “Dear Comrades” Nanau, director “Collective” Agnieszka Holland, director “Charlatan” Tsang, director “Better Days” Thomas Vinterberg, director “Another Round” (Norway): Maria Sødahl, (Czech Republic): (Romania): Alexander (Guatemala):Jayro (Hong Kong): Derek (Denmark): (Denmark): (Russia): Andrei (Mexico):

feature shortlist. made theinternational “Another Round” Thomas Vinterberg’s Meneghetti, director “Two ofUs” Majid Majidi, director “Sun Children” Chung Mong-Hong, director “A Sun” Žbanić, director and Herzegovina): Jasmila “Quo Vadis, Aida?” Philippe Lacôte, director “Night oftheKings” Maite Alberdi, director “The Mole Agent” Ben Hania, director His Skin” “The ManWhoSold (Taiwan): (Tunisia): Kaouther (France): Filippo (Iran): (Chile): (Chile): (Bosnia (Bosnia (Ivory Coast): 02.17.2021

Another Round: Henrik Ohsten/Samuel Goldwyn Films; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: David Lee/Netflix 02.17.2021 AWARD CIRCUIT ● SHORTLIST UPDATE ● 71

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE There were a record 238 doc features eli- gible this year, and the streamers made a strong showing in the shortlist, like the international category expanded to 15 this year. The contenders include two films also nominated in the international fea- ture category — Chile’s “The Mole Agent” and Romania’s “Collective” — which both investigate suspected caregiving abuse. Also advancing: Garrett Bradley’s “Time,” which won the directing honor at Sundance 2020 and the Gotham Awards’ documentary trophy more recently; Netflix’s “Crip Camp”; Sundance jury award winner “Boys State” and David France’s “Welcome to Chechnya,” which has been racking up kudos since its debut at Berlin last year. Liz Garbus, co-director of “All In: The Fight for Democracy” with fellow Emmy winner Lisa Cortes, is look- ing to snag her third Oscar nomination with their doc featuring Stacey Abrams. Members of the documentary branch will determine the final five for this category.

“All In: The Fight for Democracy” (Amazon Studios): Lisa Cortes and Liz Garbus, directors “Boys State” (Apple TV Plus): Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, directors “Collective” (Magnolia Pictures and Participant): Alexander Nanau, director “Crip Camp” (Netflix): James Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham, directors “Dick Johnson Is Dead” (Netflix): “Tenet” is vying Kirsten Johnson, director for a VFX nom in a topsy-turvy year “Gunda” (Neon): Victor Kossakovsky, for exhibition. director “MLK/FBI” (IFC Films): Sam Pollard, director VISUAL EFFECTS MAKEUP AND ORIGINAL SCORE “The Mole Agent” (Gravitas Ventures): This year’s VFX shortlist was full of sur- HAIRSTYLING This shortlist is brimming with familiar Maite Alberdi, director prises for those that track the category Netflix scored two of its four slots on faces: Previous winners and nominees “My Octopus Teacher” (Netflix): Pippa closely. Besides the expected omissions this list with period movies about show- include Ludwig Göransson, Alexandre Erhlich and James Reed, directors for films delayed due to pandemic movie biz — “Mank” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Desplat, Thomas Newman and Gabriel Yared. But only Trent Reznor and Atticus “Notturno” (Neon): Gianfranco Rosi, theater closures — there are no Marvel Bottom” — and each lavished star-wor- Ross scored twice. director releases on this list — other eligible films thy attention on its leading ladies’ hair that might have once seen likely, includ- and makeup. “Hillbilly Elegy” went “The Painter and the Thief” (Neon): ing “Wonder Woman 1984” and Apple TV the opposite route, with Glenn Close “Ammonite” (Neon): Dustin O’Halloran, Benjamin Ree, director Plus’ release “Greyhound” starring Tom virtually unrecognizable as Mamaw. Volker Bertelmann “76 Days” (MTV Documentary Films): Hanks, are MIA. Those that did make “Emma’s” hair and makeup team got into “Blizzard of Souls” (Film Movement): Weixi Chen, Hao Wu and anonymous, it through this round include Netflix the Regency spirit, building elaborate Lolita Ritmanis directors period movie “Mank,” Christopher looks for Anya Taylor-Joy and Co. Also “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix): Terence Blanchard “Time” (Amazon Studios): Garrett Nolan’s “Tenet,” “Welcome to Chechnya” making the cut: “The Glorias,” featur- “The Invisible Man” (Universal Bradley, director and “Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous ing three iterations of Gloria Steinem; Pictures): Benjamin Wallfisch “The Truffle Hunters” (Sony Pictures “All In: The Fight Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.” The “One Night in Miami”; “Birds of Prey and Classics): Michael Dweck and Gregory for Democracy” shortlist also includes “Mulan” and “Soul,” the Fantabulous Emancipation of One “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” survived the first Kershaw, directors plus “The Midnight Sky,” “Love and Harley Quinn”; “Pinocchio,” and “Jingle (Netflix): John Debney round of voting “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a “Welcome to Chechnya” (HBO): David in the doc feature Monsters,” “Bloodshot” and “The One and Jangle: A Christmas Journey.” France, director category. Only Ivan.” Members of the visual- effects Se)” (Netflix): Gabriel Yared branch will vote on finalists following a “Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous “The Little Things” (Warner Bros): virtual “bakeoff” presentation March 6. Emancipation of One Harley Quinn” Thomas Newman (Warner Bros.) “Mank” (Netflix): Trent Reznor, “Birds of Prey and the “Emma” Atticus Ross Fantabulous Emancipation of One (Focus Features) “The Midnight Sky” (Netflix): Harley Quinn” (Warner Bros.) “The Glorias” Alexandre Desplat “Bloodshot” (Lionsgate) (Roadside Attractions and LD “Minari” (A24): Emile Mosseri “Love and Monsters” (Paramount Entertainment) “Mulan” (Walt Disney Pictures): Pictures) “Hillbilly Elegy” (Netflix) Henry Gregson-Williams “Mank” (Netflix) “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” “News of the World” (Universal “The Midnight Sky” (Netflix) (Netflix) Pictures): James Newton Howard “Mulan” (Walt Disney Pictures) “The Little Things” (Warner Bros.) “Soul” (Pixar): Jon Batiste, Trent “The One and Only Ivan” (Disney “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix) Reznor, Atticus Ross Plus) “Mank” (Netflix) “Tenet” (Warner Bros): “Soul” (Pixar) “One Night in Miami” Ludwig Göransson “Tenet” (Warner Bros.) (Amazon Studios) “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix):

Tenet: Warner Bros.: All In: Amazon Studios Bros.: Warner Tenet: “Welcome to Chechnya” (HBO) “Pinocchio” (Roadside Attractions) Daniel Pemberton

72 ● AWARD CIRCUIT ● SHORTLIST UPDATE 02.17.2021

DOCUMENTARY SHORT ANIMATED SHORT LIVE ACTION SHORT SUBJECT FILM FILM Ten doc shorts advanced to the short- This year’s shortlist tilts toward U.S. Ten live-action shorts advanced to the list out of 114 that qualified. Those that backed animated shorts — from com- next round of voting, among them a trio of made the list spotlight issues ranging panies including Pixar, DreamWorks high-profile offerings. Pedro Almodóvar’s from abortion helplines to speed Rubik’s and Netflix — and tackles diverse top- first English-language film, “The Human cube puzzle solvers and a woman who ics ranging from parental grief (“If Voice,” stars Tilda Swinton and will com- takes solace in the example set by Sophia Anything Happens I Love You”), mysti- pete with a short produced and starring Loren. “Born Into Brothels” Oscar win- cal Hawaiian stones (“Kapaemahu”) and Oscar Isaac (“The Letter Room”) along ner Ross Kauffman directed the latter a gay man who comes out to his parents with an entry backed by producers includ- short, titled “What Would Sophia Loren after he experiences a body swap with ing Sean Combs, Adam McKay and NBA Do?,” while Emmy-nominated composer his dog (“Out”). The late Diana Rigg nar- star Kevin Durant titled “Two Distant Kris Bowers shared directing duties on rates “The Snail and the Whale,” which Strangers,” written and directed by for- “A Concerto Is a Conversation,” a short also features Sally Hawkins as a voice mer “The Daily Show” scribe Travon Free. that traces his family lineage from the actor, while Laura Dern exec produced Alia Shawkat lends additional star power Jim Crow South, with Ben Proudfoot. “If Anything Happens I Love You.” to prison-set “The Letter Room,” written Voters in the documentary branch will “Genius Loci” has previously raced up and directed by Isaac’s wife, Elvira Lind. determine the five Oscar nominees in plaudits including a jury prize at Annecy Also advancing: Karishma Dev Dube’s the category. and short film award at Berlin last year. Student Academy winner “Bittu.”

“Abortion Helpline, This Is Lisa” “Burrow” “Bittu” “Call Center Blues” “Genius Loci” “Da Yie” “Colette” “If Anything Happens I Love You” “Feeling Through” “A Concerto Is a Conversation” “Kapaemahu” “The Human Voice” “Do Not Split” “Opera” “The Kicksled Choir” ORIGINAL SONG “Hunger Ward” “Out” “The Letter Room” Songs from John Legend (“Never Break”) “Hysterical Girl” “The Snail and the Whale” “The Present” and Janelle Monáe (“Turntables”) will “A Love Song for Latasha” “To: Gerard” “Two Distant Strangers” compete against tunes penned by Diane “The Speed Cubers” “Traces” “The Van” Warren (advancing with two offerings), “What Would Sophia Loren Do?” “Yes-People” “White Eye” along with comedic efforts for the “Borat” sequel and “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” for the final five original song slots. Leslie Odom Jr.’s “Speak Now” from “One Night in A song Miami ...” also advanced, as did “Green” from “Borat Subsequent from “Sound of Metal,” “Rain Song” from Moviefilm” made “Minari,” and “Fight for You” from “Judas the cut. and the Black Messiah”; 105 original songs were eligible this year. Members of the music branch will determine the category’s nominees.

“All In: The Fight for Democracy” (Amazon Studios): “Turntables” “Belly of the Beast” (Independent Lens): “See What You’ve Done” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (Amazon Studios): “Wuhan Flu” “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” (Netflix): “Husavik” “Giving Voice” (Netflix): “Never Break” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix): “Make It Work” “Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner Bros.): “Fight for You” “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)” (Netflix): “lo Sì (Seen)” “Minari” (A24): “Rain Song” “Mr. Soul!” (Shoes in the Bed Productions): “Show Me Your Soul” “Mulan” (Walt Disney Pictures): “Loyal Brave True” “The One and Only Ivan” (Disney Plus): “Free” “One Night in Miami...” (Amazon Studios): “Speak Now” “If Anything “Sound of Metal” (Amazon Happens I Love Studios): “Green” You” is vying for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” the animated

(Netflix): “Hear My Voice” short trophy. Netflix You: Amazon Studios; If Anything Happens I Love Subsequent Moviefilm: Borat 02.17.2021 AWARDS CIRCUIT ● 73

Director Paul Greengrass Sits Tall in the Saddle

‘News of the World’ offers a trail to healing

By Tim Gray

Greengrass, with Universal’s “News of totally different, but that 1952 Western great landscape to us in movies we saw the World,” starring Tom Hanks and was also a parable about the times — in Tom Hanks and as children.” Helena Zengel. that case, the McCarthy HUAC hearings. Paul Greengrass When talking of Hollywood Westerns, This horse opera, as Variety used “When they sent me the novel, join the pantheon the names most frequently invoked to call the genre, follows Greengrass’ I thought this is ‘The Searchers’ in of oaters in “News are John Ford, Howard Hawks and high-adrenaline movies such as “United reverse,” since the protagonist wants to of the World.” Henry Hathaway, but the Western 93,” “Captain Phillips,” three “Bourne” deliver the girl, not to find her. “It’s the pantheon also includes Clint Eastwood, films and the 2018 fact-based “22 July,” two characters’ journey to find out where Sergio Leone, Sam Peckinpah, Budd about a 2011 terrorist attack in Norway. each belongs, so they can come to terms Boetticher, Monte Hellman, Don Siegel Greengrass tells Variety, “ ‘22 July,’ with their loss. This story, set in 1870, and Raoul Walsh. which is on a dark subject — right-wing will enable me to make a film to answer However, it should be noted that some extremists — left me with a question as a for myself: What’s the way out? What is notable filmmakers never ventured parent: What is the road out of this bitter the road we all have to travel? It won’t out West, including Alfred Hitchcock, division that we’re in? I wanted to make be easy but I’m an optimistic person.” Stanley Kubrick, David Lean, Sidney a film about the road to healing. I also When reading the novel by Paulette Lumet and Billy Wilder. GRAY’S GOLD wanted to do a different sort of film.” Jiles, Greengrass was most interested Greengrass has high praise for his The setting and tempo of “News” are in the character of Kidd. “He’s a lonely actors and his behind-the camera art- Film history is filled with notable direc- unlike his earlier works, but the film still newsreader who wanders from town to ists. “I wanted a slower tempo rather tors who made a Western after establish- reflects his concerns. Most Westerns town, reading in candlelit barns to dusty than pushing all the time, and allowing ing themselves in other genres. That list deal with classic themes, such as per- town squares. He’s lost everything except the characters to find themselves. These includes Robert Altman (“McCabe and sonal honor and good vs. evil. “News a few newspapers and the healing power people helped me find a new direction, Mrs. Miller”), Charlie Chaplin (“The of the World” includes those but is of storytelling. He understood his audi- different rhythms and styles.” Gold Rush”), Ethan and Joel Coen (“True also more topical than most, since it ence. He understood that everyone was He concludes: “Their understanding Grit”), John Huston (“The Unforgiven” centers on a nation divided — split by a in a shadow of terrible conflict,” trying of their craft is so profound. As director, 1960), Louis Malle (“Viva Maria”), pandemic, despots, racial tension and to recover from the Civil War. you’re the conductor. You have to synthe- Alejandro G. Inarritu (“The Revenant”), economic fears. Greengrass says his team “could feel size this into a whole. These are magical Sydney Pollack (“Jeremiah Johnson”) and In that sense, it’s similar to “High the ghosts” of past filmmakers, but things that leave you thinking it is the Sam Raimi (“The Quick and the Dead”). Noon,” from another shifting-gears film- realized “we mustn’t be intimidated by greatest privilege to make a movie. I’ve

Bruce W. Talamon/Universal Pictures Talamon/Universal Bruce W. Now joining that lofty roster is Paul maker, Fred Zinnemann. The plots are those great directors who brought this never lost my sense of wonder and joy.”

GutterEFP Credit pool ofContinentalactorsfor2021honorees European FilmPromotion’sannuallistdigsdeepintoanoutstanding 02.17.2021

Spotlights New Talent Shooting Stars “The East.”“The in 2020drama was astandout Martijn Lakemeier The Netherlands’

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By LeoBarraclough FOCUS VARIETY ● 75 76 ● FOCUS ● EFP SHOOTING STARS 02.17.2021

uropean Film Promotion, a network of national film agencies, puts the spot- light on 10 up-and-coming Euro actors this month during the 24th edition of its Shooting Stars program. E In previous years, the program has provided a launch pad for such thes- pian talent as Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander, Maisie Williams, Riz Ahmed and George MacKay. This year’s lineup was selected by a jury that consisted of U.S. casting director Cassandra Han, Kosovan direc- tor Antoneta Kastrati and Danish producer René Ezra. The three-day online Shooting Stars program, which launches with a presentation for international press, the film industry and the public on Feb. 24, provides a platform for the actors to meet casting directors, pro- ducers and filmmakers in series of virtual one-on-one meetings and group gatherings.

North Macedonia’s Sara Klimoska stars in 2021 drama “Lena and Vladimir.” eier: Rens Plasschek

ALBA BAPTISTA SEIDI HAARLA ŽYGIMANTĖ SARA KLIMOSKA MARTIJN LAKEMEIER Portugal Finland ELENA JAKŠTAITĖ North Macedonia The Netherlands Lithuania

Baptista has acted in films such as In 2018, Haarla starred in “Love After starting her acting career in In 2019, Klimoska starred in Lakemeier won a Golden Calf Marco Pontecorvo’s “Fatima,” oppo- & Order,” winner of the Finnish theater, Jakštaitė recently won her “Willow,” by Milcho Manchevski, Award for actor for his debut in site Harvey Keitel, and Gonçalo Television Academy’s award for first leading screen role in Andrius the director of Oscar-nominated 2010’s “Winter in Wartime.” In Waddington’s “Patrick,” which was best local drama series, and in 2019, Blaževičius’ “Runner,” in which she “Before the Rain.” She recently the Netherlands, he is best-known in competition at San Sebastián. Last played a leading role in the omnibus plays a young woman on a frantic played the leading roles in Eleonora for “Dutch Hope,” which won the year, she took the lead role in Netflix film “Force of Habit,” which was search across a city for her psychotic Veninova’s “Sabattier Effect,” about Golden Calf for TV series in 2015. series “Warrior Nun,” her first fully nominated for best domestic film at boyfriend. She is also set to appear a teenager who upsets the balance of Recent work includes miniseries English-speaking part. The jury said the Finnish Academy Awards. Next in Laurynas Bareisa’s “Pilgrims,” a fragile marriage, and Igor Aleksov’s “Doodstil” and Jim Taihuttu’s film her “substantial talents are on view she stars in Juho Kuosmanen’s film which centers on two young people “Lena and Vladimir,” in which two “The East,” which is about a dark with the intense and surprising grit- “Compartment No. 6,” a Trans- investigating a gruesome crime. In runaways help each other rediscover chapter in Dutch colonial history. tiness she brings to her character.” Siberian Railway-set drama. The jury “Runner,” Jakštaitė shows herself their love of life. The jury said her The jury lauded Lakemeier’s “emo- They added: “Her performance is said Haarla “gives an intuitive, honest to be “a force of nature, full of pas- performance in the latter film is “at tionally captivating performance” in powerful and raw at its core, yet it is and understated performance that sion and raw energy that virtually once charming and playful, fierce “The East.” They added: “His strong, her self-effacing humor that draws is imbued with a compelling sense leaps off the screen,” said the jury. and devastating.” They added: “A evocative presence creates a sense us in so unexpectedly and strongly.” of gravity.” They added: “Her quiet “Supremely self-confident in her revelation in the truest sense of the of accessibility that always feels She had put “her own unique spin on intensity and forthright openness performance, she clearly went all word, with an emotional depth that somehow familiar and immediate an archetypal pop-culture charac- draw us in, slowly but surely, as in with a bold and urgent approach, belies her years, she draws us into to us. Honest, focused and under- ter.” She is currently filming Anthony her character awakens. She exudes creating an impactful character and her outcast's life with a charm and stated in his approach, every acting Fabian’s “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” self-confidence without ever sacrific- memorable performance.” ease that clearly demonstrates her choice he makes is in service to the in a leading role opposite Isabelle ing subtlety, bringing a deep intensity star potential.” Her most recent role story, instilling his character with an Huppert and Lesley Manville. to her portrayal of the character.” is in Goran Stolevski’s supernatural intense vulnerability and audacious horror “You Won’t Be Alone,” which courage at the same time.” will be distributed by Focus Features. Lena and Vladimir: EFP; Baptista: Justin Amorim; Haarla: Heli Blafield; Jakštaite: Dainius Ščiuka; Klimoska: Zarko Culic; Lakem Zarko Klimoska: Dainius Ščiuka; and Vladimir: EFP; Baptista: Justin Amorim; Haarla: Heli Blafield; Jakštaite: Lena 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 77

[Natasa] Stork is an intoxicating and enigmatic presence in [‘Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time’].” Ireland’s Fionn O’Shea’s work in “Dating Amber” was cited by the Shooting Stars jury. uzsanna Harazdy

GUSTAV LINDH NICOLAS MAURY FIONN O’SHEA ALBRECHT SCHUCH NATASA STORK Sweden France Ireland Germany Hungary

In 2019, Lindh attracted attention Maury’s leading role in Mikael In 2016, O’Shea played alongside Schuch won the Grimme Award for Stork’s roles include Kornél for his raw and heart-breaking Buch’s burlesque comedy “Let My Andrew Scott in “Handsome Devil,” 2016 miniseries “NSU,” the German Mundruczó’s “White God,” which portrayal of the troubled teenager People Go!” earned him a César for which he received Irish Film Television Award for actor for 2018 won the main prize in Cannes’ Un in “Queen of Hearts,” which pre- nomination for most promising and Television Award nominations miniseries “Gladbeck” and support- Certain Regard in 2014. Last year, miered at Sundance, and earned actor in 2011. His breakthrough for actor and rising star. Last year ing actor at the German Academy she played her first leading role in the prestigious Bodil award came with hit series “Call My Agent” he starred in coming-of-age com- of Television for 2018 miniseries a feature film, Lili Horvát's modern for the actor. Recent credits include in 2015. He was cast in two films by edy “Dating Amber,” and appeared “Bad Banks.” His lead role in 2018’s noir “Preparations to Be Together TV series “Love Me,” and the films Yann Gonzalez, “You and the Night” in Emmy nominated miniseries “Kruso” won him the German for an Unknown Period of Time,” “Orca,” directed by Josephine (2013) and “Knife + Heart” (2018), “Normal People.” He has just Television Award for actor. In which is the Hungarian entry in Bornebusch, and “Riders of Justice,” and in Pascal Bonitzer’s “Les Amis wrapped on Nathalie Biancheri’s 2019, Nora Fingscheidt's “System the Oscars’ international feature directed by Anders Thomas Jensen. de Amis” (2019). In 2020, he directed “Wolf” with George MacKay and Crasher” and Burhan Qurbani's film category. Her performance as The jury said of his performance in bittersweet comedy “My Best Part,” Lily-Rose Depp, and will next “Berlin Alexanderplatz” won him a lovelorn neurosurgeon received “Orca”: “[Lindh] creates a strong in which he also plays a leading role. appear in “Cherry,” directed by German Film Awards in the two actress awards at Antalya Golden and complex character with a raw The jury said Maury gives “an out- the Russo brothers and starring male acting categories. Upcoming Orange Film Festival, Les Arcs Film vigor that locks your eyes onto standing performance” in “My Best Tom Holland. O’Shea's acting is projects include three films — Festival and Valladolid Film Festival. the screen whenever he is pres- Part.” They added: “With a tender, “transformative,” said the jury. Dominik Graf’s “Fabian,” Andreas Stork is “an intoxicating and enig- ent.” They added: “In a unique and soul-searching vulnerability to his “His work in ‘Dating Amber’ has Kleinert’s “Lieber Thomas” and matic presence in the film,” the jury fearless performance that is both work, and with quietly powerful and an ebullience and winsome charm, Philipp Stölz’s “Schachnovelle” — said, “displaying remarkable aplomb humble and layered, [he] never courageous moments of self-exam- yet, at the same time, misery and and Sky series “Paradiso.” The jury for an actor taking on her first lead backs away from a moment, ination, he welcomes us with open rage are always bubbling just below said: “He brings a clear willingness role in a feature film.” They added: embodying his character and his arms into his determined search to the surface: This emotional agility to push himself to the limit, and “Her elegance and sense of mys- sense of isolation 100%.” Lindh is find his rightful place in the world.” is what gives his performance such beyond, always making excellent tery underscore the film's noirish now shooting Robert Eggers' Viking a strong sense of artistry.” use of a formidable set of skills and elements, as she creates a striking revenge saga “The Northmen,” star- artistry to bring challenging char- and layered character which attests ring opposite Nicole Kidman and acters to the screen.” to her great potential as an actor.”

Dating Amber: Amazon; Lindh: Mattias Huss; Maury: Mathieu Rainaud; O’Shea: India Mullen; Schuch: Steffen Roth; Stork: Eszter Zs Roth; Stork: Eszter Maury: Mathieu Rainaud; O’Shea: India Mullen; Schuch: Steffen Dating Amber: Amazon; Lindh: Mattias Huss; Alexander Skarsgård.

02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 79 ARTISANS

BLACK WOMEN OF AWARDS SEASON How singer-songwriter Andra Day transformed herself into the jazz legend Becoming for the Lee Daniels film Billie Holiday

Andra Day portrays Billie Holiday as an early civil rights activst. By Jazz Tangcay

Singer-turned-actor Andra Day brought versatility to Lee Daniels’ biopic “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” She performs the Golden Globes-nominated song “Tigress & Tweed,” which she co-wrote with soul and R&B singer Raphael Saadiq, and she sizzles in the title role as the jazz legend, portraying her as a significant civil rights activist. Below, she shares what it was like play- ing Holiday, preserving her legacy and her process for stepping into iconic shoes.

What did Lee Daniels say to make you say yes to this role? I was terrified because I’m not an actress. I’m a huge fan of Billie Holiday. The worst thing I could imagine was put-

Takashi Seida/Hulu Takashi ting a stain on her legacy with a terrible 80 a lotofcoldandnotdrinking tea.Iwasn’t my throat upand [instead]exposing itto and drinkingalcohol. Iwas notwrapping I adoptedthehabitofsmokingcigarettes smoked acigarette before in my life, but that’s whatIdoforaliving. I’ve never she does?Where ishervoice sitting? breathe? Why doesshebreathe theway would laugh,thathelpedmedrop intoher. that hitthebackofherthroat. Every timeI was sortoflike apinging, like apaddleball something very specificaboutherlaugh;it also founditthrough herlaugh.There was through themusicandthrough song, butI out through hervoice. Ifoundhervoice help bringmy character andmy spirit with my actingcoach,Tasha Smith,to Our voices are very different. I worked tone withoutmimickingher? How didyou tapintohervoice and and toown whoyou are andwhatyou are. reminded methatyou’re here forareason so different. Singing“Strange Fruit” she’s owning hertoneandvoice being with likingthesoundofmy voice, but her was toacceptmy voice. Istill struggle she represents ourvoices. power thatwe have asBlackwomen, and She represents resilience, strength, the rights movement; itwas just herfighting. Billie Holiday was doingitwithnocivil you don’t thinkofBillieHoliday.” But of Martin Luther KingandMalcolm X; think ofcivilrightsactivists, you think story asjustatragic drugaddict. ment were abletoretell BillieHoliday’s that titlebecausetheFBIandgovern- for thegreater good.She’s notbeengiven the government. Sherepresents sacrifice a fight,andsherepresents standing upto She represents freedom. Sherepresents What doessherepresent? What doesBillieHoliday meantoyou? pursuing herfor“Strange Fruit.” rights leader, andtheFBI’s war ondrugs the revealing ofBillieHoliday asacivil Lee, Ilearnedthatthescriptwould be re-approach thatmovie. Inmeeting wondering why would anyone tryand Blues,” andIlove DianaRoss. Iwas just performance. Iloved “LadySingsthe me drop into her.”— Andra Day Every time I would laugh, that helped let’s hopethatitcomesbackbecause I was pretty abusive tomy voice, so I looked atherbreath. Where doesshe One ofthebigthingsIlearnedfrom I love whenLeesays, “Whenyou ● ARTISANS being seen. for whoIwas, thatwas amoment of Michelle Obamaand beingcelebrated and beinginvited totheWhiteHouse by ment adopted“RiseUp” astheirtheme, it beaqualifierordisqualifier.” see my Blackness, andyou have tonotlet to seemeasaBlackwoman. You have to also momentswhenI’llsay, “No, you have to compartmentalizeyou. Butthere are this labelsotheycanfigure outwhere son. Oftentimes, peoplewant toput spheres, Iwant you toseemeasaper- woman, becausesometimesincertain but whenIfirst feltseenasaBlack question, notjust whenIfirstfeltseen, came fullcircle. That’s why Ilove the the movement. Thepurposeofthesong adopted “RiseUp” astheiranthemfor Lives Matter movement was whenthey The first timeIfeltseenby the Black for your work asaBlackwoman? When was thefirsttimeyou feltseen to thosewhoopposeequalityandprogress. own thetree, andthat’s intimidatingonly ing from atree anymore. We’re strong; we evolved? Idon’t want to seeussad,hang- would shewant tosee“Strange Fruit” The questionwas ifBillie were alive, how so Iequatethosewiththescentofvictory. favorite perfumeswere Tweed andTigress, I finallywrote allthelyricsthatday. Her a monthtowriteany lyrics. Afterprayer, on themusicforsong, butittookme I reached outtoRaphael Saadiq towork being, andwhatdidyou want ittosay? How did“Tigress &Tweed” comeinto happening tohumanbeings. writhe intheirskinattheideaofwhat’s enjoy thesong, tobeuncomfortable, to for peopletolistenthesong, tonot Holiday. You needmore thananything performance, ortopayhomageBillie to enjoy thesonganymore, ortoenjoy the there’s aneed.It’s notaneedforpeople was aware thatherlifewas ontheline— has anideathattheymaygoearly—she die. Whenyou’re playingsomeonewho you’re playingsomeonewho’s goingto you’re singingitasBillieHoliday, when There issuchasenseofurgency when Fruit” andsingingitasBillie? What was itlike performing“Strange it, butinterpreting it. mimicking, asyou say, notimpersonating When theBlackLives Matter move- By JazzTangcay About Police Injustice Packs Powerful Message Short Diverse Animated In theanimatedshortawards contender an Oscarcontenderintheanimatedshortcategory. Jasmine Kenya animatedthefaceof writerandco-director TimothyWare-Hill for “CopsandRobbers,” a Blackwoman intearswithprotest mation forhersegment,whichshows ani- munity artist, usedstop-motion just agiven.” she says. “It’s abouttimethatit’s simply are imperative inthecreative process,” versation abouthow Blackfemalevoices all thistime, we stillhave tohave acon- producer of“Cops andRobbers.” “After help ofJada Pinkett Smith,executive Ware-Hill hadwritten. inequality andviolence, basedonapoem in toshare theirperspectives onracial than 30artistsandanimatorsstepped response toAhmaudArbery’s murder. styles todeliver apoignantmessagein powerful imageryandamixofanimation Manor andTimothy Ware-Hill feature “Cops andRobbers,” directors Arnon The project cametogetherwiththe With a7-minute runtime, more Kelli Williams, aPhiladelphiacom- Floyd, are forced togrieve publicly,” cases like Breonna Taylor andGeorge brutality, specificallyhigh-profile idea thatfamiliesofvictimspolice of thesegmentwas inspired by the the reason forheremotion.“Thevisual signs behindheraswe slowly discover are indispensable.” of thatexperience —soyes, ourvoices a whole. Blackwomen are equallyapart the Blackexperience inthiscountryas there isstillsomuchignorance around important ‘Cops andRobbers’ isbecause has impactedourlives.” sympathize withtheway racial injustice says shehopesthefilm“helpsviewers marginalized community. Theanimator of apoettodeliver searingimagesofa as writerandnarrator —usingtheeye the faceofWare-Hill —whoalsoserves our feelingsthrough art.” notes, “gave usanopportunitytoprocess world. “‘Cops andRobbers,’” Williams reflected frustration withthestateof says Williams. illustrator, usedthatmethodtodraw Adds Pinkett Smith:“It’s clearhow Jasmine Kenya, a2Danimatorand The strikingpower behindherimage 02.17.2021

Netflix 02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 81

Casting Director Kim Hardin on Passing the Baton By Jazz Tangcay

Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown and Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke star in “One Night in Miami.”

we’re going through and how much the As Hollywood shines a spotlight on Hollywood still needs to get over, she world hasn’t changed.” the lack of diversity and representation says. Another industry shortcoming — The film, which stars Leslie Odom behind the camera, Hardin stresses the one that can be separate from issues Jr., Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree and importance of opening doors for the next of inclusion — is getting stuck in genre Aldis Hodge as Sam Cooke, Malcolm generation. She served as director of tal- boxes. “Producers continue to bring X, Cassius Clay and Jim Brown, centers ent development, programs and casting you projects, whether it’s action or on a fictional night in 1964, as the four for ABC in 2001, searching out and devel- big budget or horror, because if that’s With a career spanning more than figures meet in a hotel room ahead of oping talent for primetime shows. what you’re known to do, they feel that’s 30 years, Kim Hardin is one of Clay’s fight against Sonny Liston and Hardin believes casting is a choice what sells.” Hollywood’s top casting directors, with talk about the cultural upheaval going that begins with the writing process and Hardin remains optimistic as she con- credits including “2 Fast 2 Furious,” on around them and their roles in the BLACK CASTING how characters are visualized. “I gave up tinues to fight for the next generation. “Hustle & Flow,” “Cadillac Records” civil rights movement. DIRECTORS independent casting and went into the If she doesn’t have the bandwidth to and most recently, Regina King’s “One Not only have there been few Black DON’T USUALLY corporate structure to help educate the do a job, she recommends a colleague Night in Miami.” But Hardin is one of casting directors, but stories like “One GET THE network about diversity, starting from who’s a person of color, giving them OPPORTUNITY just a handful of Black casting directors Night in Miami” have been all too rare, TO CAST AN the writing, which then goes into your instructions to fly away and soar. “I’m in Hollywood. Hardin says. But the feedback she’s ALL-WHITE cast, which then goes into your show,” constantly pushing my staff and sending “I’ve done all types of films and histor- been receiving about the movie has FILM THE WAY A she explains. them on location or passing a project to ical stories,” says Hardin, but working on been heartening. “I’ve gotten to see WHITE CASTING Hardin notes that “Black casting them,” she says. DIRECTOR “One Night in Miami” was particularly how this film is affecting the younger WOULD BE HIRED directors don’t usually get the oppor- And she’s appreciative for meaningful meaningful, she says, “diving into the generation,” she says, particularly the TO CAST AN ALL- tunity to cast an all-white film the way projects like “One Night in Miami.” “I’m depth of that historically, and looking information about the lives of Cassius BLACK FILM.” a white casting director would be hired enjoying that piece of artistry,” she says, — KIM HARDIN Amazon Studios at how apropos the moment is and what Clay and Malcolm X. to cast an all-Black film.” It’s a hump “and being able to add what I can.”

02.17.2021 VARIETY ● 83 REVIEWS

It’s a Sin By Daniel D’Addario

TV REVIEW Drama: HBO Max (five episodes; all reviewed); Feb. 18 Starring: Olly Alexander, Omari Doug- Nathaniel Curtis, Callum Scott Howells, Omari Douglas, Lydia West and Olly Alexander star in “It’s a Sin.” las, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West

In 2019, British television writer and producer Russell T. Davies turned his attention to the future with the gripping limited series “Years and Years.” Now he’s transporting us to a past that seems both distant and all too recent. “It’s a Sin,” which launches this month on HBO Max after a run on Britain’s Channel 4, follows a group of friends living in London through the 1980s, a decade that begins with the promise of liberation and moves, as the AIDS epidemic takes root, toward isola- tion and pain. The series demonstrates once again Davies’ masterful control of tone, shifting in five episodes from joy to the harder-won pleasures of sol- idarity in the face of crisis to, finally, tragedy. As a depiction of a horrific period in the life of a community, “It’s a Sin” has a crystalline sense of the power of its project. But it makes room, throughout, for small moments of grace. Its characters are not saints or martyrs but people who lived — making death, when it enters the story, feel all the more real. Olly Alexander plays Ritchie, a young man who sees his future on the stage; the big city represents for him the per- fect place to remake his life, too, into its own theatrical project. Ritchie pur-

Ben Blackall/HBO Max Ben Blackall/HBO sues pleasure with no reason to believe 84 ● REVIEWS 02.17.2021

that it will have any consequences but good ones; among the rewards he finds is a sense of community with Roscoe (Omari Douglas, alternately know- ingly sly and ebullient), a bright aesthete who’s escaped a rigidly tradi- tional family, and Colin (Callum Scott Howells, almost impossibly innocent), a pragmatic, sweetly winning would-be fashion designer. Jill (Lydia West) completes the picture, a den mother who’s the first to begin seriously con- templating the strange disease making ‘It’s a Sin’ has a crystalline sense of the headlines. When Colin goes on a trip to New York, Jill asks him to bring power of its project. But it makes room, back books and newspapers covering throughout, for small moments of grace.” AIDS in a way it isn’t being dealt with in the U.K. Jill’s love for her friends — even when run. “I want to be anyone,” he declares would have expected even as history secret,” Harris’ character declares. they are less than lovable — animates near the series’ midpoint. “I want to be plainly encroached. “But then there’s the real world the series, and if, as a character, she is Hamlet; I want to be Romeo. But if I said Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin are of where we’ve been living, together, a touch reactive rather than proactive, I’m gay, I’ll be just the clown.” That a generation that ended up denied for all this time.” It’s Colin’s time, West’s warm but careful and guarded by this time there are problems more so much — and, ironically, one that and Roscoe’s and Ritchie’s, to step performance gives the sense that Jill urgent than his job prospects doesn’t seemed to have been given more than yet further into the light, until knows, and partially regrets, that. She register; history doesn’t necessarily it might have hoped for. In the first epi- darkness overwhelms. has given of herself freely but perhaps feel like history when it’s happening sode, for instance, Colin faces down a It shouldn’t be a surprise that there’s beyond the point to which she might all around you. Alexander’s perfor- handsy boss (Nicholas Blane) trapped little uplift to be found here, in the tra- have retained her boundaries. If she mance is a delicately crafted and lay- in the closet, as well as a relative elder ditional sense. But the warmth of fel- is the quiet soul of the series, actor ered portrayal of a young man who (Neil Patrick Harris) who lives a semi- low feeling took me aback; characters Ritchie is its loudly thumping heart, feels too much, swerving between open life with a partner. “The official understand and forgive one another’s seeking love in frantically filmed mon- the euphoric highs that have always history of the world says that men like vulnerability and, in Ritchie’s case, their tages and appreciation over the longer been a part of youth and lows he never us have always been hidden away in errors in judgment when it comes to how they treat their fellow man. Despite the audience’s knowledge that the 1980s are a bad decade that gets worse and worse for gay men, the series doesn’t get ahead of its characters; it doesn’t judge them, either, even as it appraises them clearly. The great achievement of Davies’ pre- vious “Years and Years” — the high point of a career that’s also included “Queer as Folk” and “Doctor Who” — was in revealing history’s impact ASHER on normal lives, drawing aspirations and relationships into the slipstream of chaos. BRAUNER That show, depicting what might lie ahead in the 2020s, was a OCTOBER 25, 1946 - work of imagination. So, too, is this one, but “It’s a Sin” is foremost a tes- JANUARY 2, 2021 tament. Its characters were given everything they needed, includ- ing the motivation provided by Asher Brauner was a brilliant Actor/Writer (a member of SAG- restrictive youth, to imagine a freer, more just, more fun-loving soci- AFTRA for 50 years), featured in countless movie and television ety in which they might take center roles, best known for his portrayal of Roy DeLuca in stage. Only one thing was missing: General Hospital the good fortune of living in uneventful , during the peak years of Luke and Laura. times. Their stories, halted or attenu- He was a dedicated family man, survived by the love of his life Eileen, ated by a virus with a cunning way of insinuating itself into the nascent gay and his son Joel. community, are told here with care and We will miss Asher forever for his laughs, loyalty and unconditional love. deep thought. Davies has once again made great and painful art about time’s Asher was a unique character, who loved his solitary moments at home passage, and has earned the attention of watching his beloved Bears, Bulls, and Cubs, yet he was a master of anyone who wants to learn more about what the 1980s were like for gay peo- social situations, that could command a room with his wit and charm. ple — or wants to connect with a raw and rounded humanity in all its beauty, We will love Asher always, and think of him everyday. complexity and fleeting joy. He will never be gone to us.

CREDITS: Executive producers: Russell T. Davies, Nicola Shindler. Running time: 60 MIN. Cast: Olly Alexander, Omari Douglas, Callum Scott Howells, Lydia West, Nathan- iel Curtis, Neil Patrick Harris, Nicholas Blane Seacia Pavao/Netflix I Care aLot 02.17.2021 Director: FILM REVIEW By OwenGleiberman klage, Starring: grifter, she’s asociopath,predator who surely suckaway their assets. No mere in arest home, sothatshecanslowly but becomes theirguardian —andsticks them be placedunderMarla’s care. Shethen him- orherselfandshouldtherefore senior citizencannolongerlookafter articulate compassion,andargue thata stand upincourt,radiating abeamof servator who’s really aconartist. She’ll with alaser, playsMarla Grayson, acon- a bobthatlookslike ablondhelmetsliced glow. Rosamund Pike, inkillersuitsand scarcely take your eyes offhervicious her diabolicalruthlessnessthatyou can a central character who’s soefficientin plausible enoughtogive you pause, and thriller. It’s builtaround ascamjust isasleeklyunnerving“I Care aLot” Eiza González,DianneWiest Rosamund Pike, Peter Din- J Blakeson or mailthisform. Pleaserespond by March 31,2021. UPDATE INFO AT • • Unmatched Awards Coverage • Invites to Please updateyour contact information toreceive: ATTENTION VOTING MEMBERS Variety Magazine(For AMPAS Members only) Variety 's Exclusive VirtualEvents

VARIETY.COM/AWARDSUPDATE assistants, stripped ofhercellphoneand by arow ofcreepy friendlynursesand Senior Livingfacility, where she’s greeted tic oasisanddriven totheBerkshire Oaks Jennifer istaken from herquaintdomes- a richlyunsettlingsequenceinwhich writer-director of“ICare aLot,” creates fetches apretty penny, andJBlakeson, the homethatnow It’s thekindof“modest” a nest she’s been featheringfordecades. adorned withknickknacksthatsuggestit’s painted alovely flatshadeofroyal blue, thing ofbeauty: tranquil andaesthetic, emotional, butJennifer’s homeisalived-in tion designcreates somethingoutwardly is Marla’s partnerincrime. by aphysician, Dr. Amos(AliciaWitt), who signed symptoms ofdementia,andthey’re to doit.Theystate thatJennifer isshowing away, becauseshe’s gotthelegal papers policemen intow, Marla leadsJennifer quiet AmericanJudi Dench.With several much soulfulgumptionthatshe’s like a old ladyplayed by DianneWiest withso at thedoorofJennifer Peterson, anice of themselves. Earlyon,sheshows up are still perfectlycapableoftakingcare of thewards Marla takes underherwing a duplicitousgrinofpride. will tosssomeone’s lifeintothetrash with It’s notoftenthatamovie’s produc- Because here’s thereal crime:Some

assistance, she’llnow beseenasadementia something orassertsthatshedoesn’t need the useofherphoneorgetsangryabout on themarket andsold.)If shedemands her housebeingemptied,painted,placed quilizing drugs. (Moments later, we see — ofcourseputonacocktailtran- duction ofanunderworld businessman, we’re on.Butthenthere’s atwist: theintro- guered Jennifer thatit’s clearwhoseside up somuchsympathy forWiest’s belea- over-the-top villainous, andthefilmworks smileandcutthroat logic,is standing” tain ways similar).Marla, withher“under- “Gone Girl”(though theroles are incer- far more starqualityhere thanshedidin brought tobrazen lifeby Pike, whoshows whole personalityisasinister construct, legal bureaucracies. controlled by anetwork ofmedicaland eerie specter:ofasocietyincreasingly aside thebloodrelatives, carriesitsown courts, whichcolludewithherinshunting that Marla achieves allthisthrough the dumped into—rest homes. Andthefact ple are consignedto—andsometimes the wholesystemby whicholdpeo- assisted-living prisonmakes usquestion “Requiem foraDream” meetsKafka. patient whohaslostcontrol ofherself. It’s And thenthere’s Marla herself. Her Watching Jennifer trapped inher TT ZIPCODE CHECK ALLTHAT APPLY EMAIL STATE CITY STREET COMPANY NAME PGA AMPAS Eiza González,DianneWiestandRosamundPike starin“ICare aLot.” SAG-AFTRA ATAS ingly callsoutherscam. Marla withjuicycontemptandthreaten- and thelawyer (ChrisMessina) looksat He dispatchesanattorneytoMarla’s office, who hasacrucialconnectiontoJennifer. with afurioustwitchoficyintelligence, Roman Lu interest inherscarycunning. lain andheroine, aswe develop arooting into ...admiration. Shebecomesbothvil- fearless, andourantipathy startstomelt kill herinacoldheartbeat,sheremains chair, negotiatingwithamanwhowould to killher.” Later, whenMarla istiedtoa “then you callherabitchandthreaten criminal assistant, Fran (EizaGonzález), says Marla, speakingtoherlover and convince awoman todowhatyou want,” to make women backdown. “If you can’t her perception thattheworld isdesigned herself mayseemnuts, butitstartswith really aparable ofpower. Marla’s beliefin get away with—asuspensefilmthat’s thriller aboutwhatpeoplethinktheycan in thefaceofdanger. isa “ICare aLot” Dianne Wiest, Chris Messina, Isiah Whitlock, MaconBlair Messina,Dianne Wiest,Chris IsiahWhitlock, Cast: Reviewed online,Sept.14, 2020. Emmett. Guttenstein. Blakeson Teddy Schwarzman, Stillman,MichaelHeimler,J Ben CREDITS: HFPA Yet sheremains unfazed,almostamused OTHER RosamundPike, Peter Dinklage,EizaGonzález, North Hollywood,CA 91606 12444 VictoryBlvd Fl4 Attn: IllescasMitchell Variety Editor: Executive producers:

A Black Bear PicturesA BlackBear production. Director, writer: nyov, playedby

BAFTA MarkEckersley. VARIETY DGA J Blakeson Andrea Ajemian,Sacha Running time: Music: Peter Dinklage Marc Canham. Camera: Q0AAMP3 WGA Producers: ● 118 MIN. 85 Doug Doug

86 too, was changed:She won thebest by theexperience. Beharie’s career, both are changedfor the better initial disinterest —butultimately, titular pageantdespiteherdaughter’s enters herteenagedaughterintothe Godfrey Peoples, Beharie’s character the film,from director Channing experiences inher13-year career. In has beenoneofthemostintimate Turquoise Jones in“Miss Juneteenth” pageant queenandsinglemother For Nicole Beharie, playing former (right)sitsbehind thewheel,withAlexisChikaeze alongforNicole Beharie theride,onsetof “Miss Juneteenth.” By AngeliqueJackson Nicole Beharie ● FACETIME bility forme. There’s akindofapartness imagine that[winning] was even apossi- the daysfollowing was Ireally didn’t sweet. Butsomething thatstruckmein husband in“42”],itwas really bitter- to ChadwickBoseman[heron-screen the party. Then,following thetribute that? you won theGothamAward. Why was •> in January. actress prizeattheGothamAwards You looked so surprisedwhen I justwas excited tobeinvited to were paid,butwe maynothave gotten there was foodonthetable, allthebills a doctor].We hadaChristmaswhere [working toadvance from anR.N. to really strugglingandshewas inschool my childhoodwhere my motherwas spoke toyou? •> bit ofawake-up call. or ifit’s cynicism.Thatwinwas alittle Hollywood]. Idon’t know ifit’s sobriety that Iexpect, beingontheperiphery [of What was itaboutthisrole that There was aperiodin “This isalove“This story, just alittledifferent.” Chastain. Isaac and Jessica opposite Oscar From aMarriage” series “Scenes the HBOlimited Aduba, as well as Freeman andUzo Mirren, Morgan featuring Helen series “Solos,”also Amazon anthology production on recently wrapped Up next: She --- part of our history.” a nation, thishuge acknowledge, as “I think we needto national holiday: becoming a to Juneteenth lead film will She hopesthe The history factor: --- Brooklyn, N.Y. Hometown: --- Age: 36 Nicole Beharie didn’t know about Things you gifts. Thechurch gave donationsto families, andIremember getting about how thingswere hard. Iopened she hadgiven usalittlesit-down talk ended upgettinggiftsafterall,because this box andbeingsoexcited thatwe are women. into thecommunity. And a lotofthem new textures andstoriesvoices own work —andit’s addingallthese in ourfield—gooutandcreate their risks andhave thatfaithinthemselves We’re seeingalotof peopletake the knows andloves, herown community. it from her heart,aboutthingsthatshe did onashoestring budget.Shewrote women cando!”Look what[Channing] from thisfilm? •> woman fallinginlove withherself. a woman andherdaughter, butalsoa a littledifferent. It’s alove storyabout love story?Thisisstill in shiningarmor, andwhodoesn’t love a ally [comes]inonahorse, like theknight lives. Oneofthemlooks better;heliter- There are two menofferingherdifferent own.” Whatdoesthatmeantoyou? ing, “Iwant tohave somethingofmy for herselfandherdaughter, say- •> kept ourcommunitiestogether. mother andthemany women thathave honor tothatpartofmy journey, my small, butIwant topay homageor sacrifice andlove. It’s sosubtle, it’s so what that’s like toappreciate someone’s It’s really aboutthatconnection.Iknow stuff ontheperipherydoesn’t matter. moment togetherwhere it’s like allthe Chikaeze] have thisbeautiful,tender [she andherdaughter, played by Alexis turned off, thecake gotsmashed,but daughter’s birthday. Thelightsare inundated withbadnewsandit’s her ter Turquoise comeshome, she’s been her laughitoff. was soupset,but I remember seeing am Isupposedtodowithapump?” pump. Iwas achild,thinking, “What the box, andinsidewas asize9white just pulledmy heartout.My charac- There’s asceneinthemovie that What was your greatest takeaway Turquoise isfightingforadream “Wow, lookatwhat a love story, just 02.17.2021

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