 |
| Polk poses w/ Julian Walker, Star of 'Blackbird" |
This Past Sunday was the Seattle Screening of Patrik-Ian Polk's latest, Blackbird, a story about a teen that wrestles with coming out and his love for God. His Parents are played by Oscar Winner, Mo'nique and Isaiah Washington (Yes, Grey's Anatomy) and set in Polk's Hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I was able to chat with Patrik on various topics related to the Film as well what's ahead with his LOGO's Noah's Arc.
MK: Congrats on your New Film, How did it come about?
PATRIK: I first read the novel BLACKBIRD by Larry Duplechan as a freshman in college in Boston more than 20 years ago. It was the first coming of age story that I read told from the point of view of a black gay teen character. I fell in love with the book; it spoke to me. And I knew someday I wanted to make it into a film. I held onto that dream and more than 20 years later, here we are.
MK: I heard it was shot in your hometown in Mississippi, was there anything added that was autobiographical?
PATRIK: There are no autobiographical elements. The book is a richly told story with plenty of great material, so I didn't need to add any details from my own life. I did take some liberties with the story, so there are some significant differences from the book- which I encourage everyone to read. The author, Larry Duplechan, continues the lead character's story in a series of books that are definitely worth checking out.
MK: Where did you find your star, Julian Walker? Was it required that he had to sing or was that added?
PATRIK: Julian was in his sophomore year at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, where we were filming. He sent in an audition tape and the rest is history. I really wanted to find someone who could sing- as opposed to dubbing the singing voice from another performer. Luckily, Julian has a voice like an angel, so he was a natural. And he's openly gay, which is so refreshing when dealing with black actors- who are often really closeted. The singing in the film is also in the book and was always intended to be a big part of the movie. In many ways, it's a musical film.
MK: I loved that Julian did his own singing and saw this almost a mini-musical, any chance of doing a full movie musical someday or adapting Blackbird for Broadway?
PATRIK: There have been some preliminary talk of turning the film into a full-on stage musical. I think that would be fantastic! I do hope to make an actual musical film some day. We'll see.
MK: I, as well the audience, had the hots for Kevin Allesee (Marshall), how did you find Him?
PATRIK: Kevin auditioned in Los Angeles and I ended up casting him from his audition tape. He was THAT good. Both Isaiah Washington and myself referenced Richard Gere when talking about Kevin's appeal. He reminds you of a young Richard Gere from "American Gigolo". There's a magnetism and sex appeal that just oozes from the screen when you see him. He's definitely one to watch.
MK: Mo'nique was perfectly cast as the mother, and was just a conflicted as she was in Precious, I could see the audience anticipating trouble when she learns about her son's activities. Were you surprised/Grateful that she accepted the role?
PATRIK: My co-writer, Rikki Beadle Blair, and I wrote the role of Claire specifically to attract an Oscar-caliber actress. But I never dreamed we'd get an actual Oscar winner! But she read the script and responded to the material. She was a joy to work with, and I'm her biggest fan.
MK: I found it curious that you cast Isaiah Washington as the Dad, when most would see him in the Pastor role, I know you touched on this during the Q and A, but why is it that People can forgive other celebs for mistakes, but for Isaiah, he still known for this one mistake?
PATRIK: I think the fact that we are still talking about that GREY'S ANATOMY mess is for one reason and one reason only- the color of Isaiah's skin. How many times have we seen Alec Baldwin use gay slurs in his rants with the press? Or a white actor like Jonah Hill uses a slur and apologizes and we move on. These white men are not branded with a scarlet letter 'H' for homophobe. But when your skin is brown, you are not afforded the same courtesies or given the same latitude for mistakes of missteps. It's just racism, plain and simple. Isaiah Washington is one of our greatest actors, period. He played gay in Spike Lee's "Get On The Bus" years before it was considered hip and cool to do so, when everyone told him it would ruin his career. He's no homophobe. He's an actor who got into a verbal spat with another actor- that happens every day in Hollywood! And his spat wasn't even with the gay actor (T.R. Knight)- it was with another cast member, and word got back to the gay actor that a slur was used. The whole thing is so ridiculous it makes my head spin. But racism never surprises me, especially in Hollywood.
BURNING QUESTION: Any chance of Noah's Arc Reunion?
PATRIK: I don't think so. I've approached the Logo network many times about doing something more with NOAH, and we've had some discussions in the past. I even wrote- at their request- a script for a TV spinoff where Noah and Wade move to New York City. But they decided to focus on reality programming as opposed to the more-expensive scripted programming. So I don't think it's going to happen, but I never say never.
No comments:
Post a Comment