Gesica™ - Something New: An Interview w/Sanaa Lathan and Stephanie Allain

Gesica™

SOMETHING NEW

SANAA LATHAN AND STEPHANIE ALLAIN

Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Michael Epps, Donald Faison, Blair Underwood, Taraji P. Henson

Producer Stephanie Allain hasn’t suffered for her work without reward. The Hustle & Flow producer continues to excel in a male dominated film industry as Something New continues the successful patterns of ‘notches’ on her belt. And to make matters…better; she adds actress Sanaa Lathan as the leading character Kenya, to the film.

By Tonisha Johnson

Are you excited about the film Sanaa?

Sanaa Lathan: It’s all exciting. I was just thrilled to work on the character and to be on set. That’s when I’m happiest. And it’s so satisfying cause when you give yourself to a move, you/ kind of don’t have control as an actor. You put yourself in other peoples hands and so, it came out so well and people are loving it. that’s huge.

What was the toughest part for you? Where did you have your most anxiety or awkward moments?

Sanaa Lathan: I don’t think I did.

Stephanie Allain: We soaked her in the rain scene.

Sanaa Lathan: It was really cold and my shirt was see-through.

Sanaa, do you have any similarities with the character?

Sanaa Lathan: I would say where very different in that I’m very driven in my career. I’m a career woman. I am a romantic. I do want to find that person. I love dogs. I love to hike. I don’t make lists. I’m very unorganized. I’m a very unorganized Virgo.

How was the relationship with the other girls on set? Where you guys friends before the film?

Sanaa Lathan: Yes. We had so much fun. The movie was really happening in between takes cause we were having so much fun.

Was there any part of the film with the girls that was your favorite?

Sanaa Lathan: All the time. It was always great when they came to work.

Stephanie Allain: The scene that was the most fun was the one in the Rabbi’ study. They couldn’t stop laughing. I said, we have two hours to get this.

Sanaa Lathan: You know how you get the giggles and you can’t stop and you know you have too? That was one of those days.

Being in a film dominated by men Stephanie; do you set a standard for the projects you take on?

Stephanie Allain: Absolutely. You know, I really gravitate…it’s so hard to get a movie made with kids and a family. So for me it’s got to be something that contributes a positive message to the world. And that’s how I pick my films and for Hustle it was having the notion; the courage to create. It was so important. And for this movie it’s about opening up your heart and taking risks. There is an opening of possibilities of ‘Something New’; be it love or work or just things that your not used too. Because the world is a huge place and the possibilities are really endless.

Have you encountered any difficulties in the process of filmmaking because you’re a woman?

Stephanie Allain: Oh. Absolutely. Hollywood is really run by white men. That’s who I interact with all the time. That scene in the board room…I have been there. I still…last night I was watching the movie again…tear up, when she has the scene in the grocery store and they trust it to the file clerk. They think I’m there to get the coffee and take notes. It’s something that I think as women, you know, you have to armor yourself so that it doesn’t get to you on a really personal level. And then you have to learn how to let the armor go when you go home and when your in love. So, all of those issues are very pertinent, not only to myself, but to a lot of the women.

Have you had the same experience Sanaa?

Sanaa Lathan: Well yeah. I mean, I can’t complain about my career I’ve had a very charmed career and yet, I starred in many films that have done very well for the studios but I have yet to know what my next project is. A lot of time, there is a lot of time in between, with my projects I am picky, but still, you know, I don’t see that for actors of different colors. And so, but you know, I can’t complain because I know there are a lot of white actresses who would really love to have my career. So, you know, it’s all relative.

Stephanie, how do you incorporate all of that and still have time for a family? What is a typical day for you?

Stephanie Allain: Well, I just got married. Beautiful, beautiful black man; and because of my recent success; when I work and I’m making a movie, I’m there everyday and when I’m not working, I have a pretty relaxed life. And I think its really important to not just be in the movies all the time, to have a real life. To go to school, do the carpool thing and have friends outside of the business. Because that’s how you get a feeling for the pulse of what’s really going on and not just wanting to make movies and be about movie stars and that sort of thing. It’s a challenge. Again, I am so happy to have a blossoming career. A fabulous husband and fantastic kids…so I’m quite lucky.

How old are your children?

Sanaa Allain: 20. 12 and 10.

Can you articulate the current role of film in our society? Does it stress problems, does it create issues? With this film, I see it presenting a lot of issues that people can all reflect on.

Stephanie Allain: I think storytelling has always served a vital purpose in society and not just to entertain but to reflect who we are and to pose questions and to seek answers about who we are and why we are here. So today, film is so pervasive it travels all over the world. It changes peoples thoughts and views about things. And it’s so important. Again, that’s why when I am associated with a movie, it’s got to promote positivity because there’s plenty of negativity out there.

Do you still think interracial dating is still an issue with black women?

Stephanie Allain: This is the first romance starring a black woman falling in love with a white man. That’s says a lot within itself right there.

Sanaa Lathan: Also, don’t quote me on these exact figures but 14% of black men are in interracial relationships and 3 or 4% of black women are in interracial relationships. That says to me that black women are not comfortable with it. that there is a number of reasons why they don’t feel like it’s possible to step outside of their race. There is definitely pressure in the black community when your with a white man. It’s not even sutle. You have to not really care what they think or just not do it.

Can that pressure break up a relationship?

Sanaa Lathan: I think what it does is it makes you really…is this relationship worth enduring that?

Stephanie Allain: I was married to a white man. Fabulous white man. The father of my two kids; my two boys. 16 years we were together.

Did you allow the negativity you get from society ruin your relationship?

Stephanie Allain: You know, there’s this insidious pressure that seeps in. It’s hard to be in another persons shoes. You can’t know what someone else feels if you don’t have black skin. Love is about being open to understanding and being sympathetic to someone else’s feelings.

Blair Underwood’s character was so arrogant. Was it supposed to really be played out that way?

Stephanie Allain: No. I don’t think the intention was to be arrogant. I think the intention with Blair was to make him…

Sanaa Lathan: Confident. I mean any black man that looks like him and has that kind of job is gonna…feel himself because he’s desired and sought after.

Do you think society is moving in the direction of being ‘color blind’? Is that a good thing or not?

Stephanie Allain: I think the one thing that we all have in common is our humanity. And getting closer to that I think is the way of peace because what causes the tension in differences is not respecting the differences. And trying too change someone to be like you. My kids are mixed and they have a very real identity of mixed kids and there are a lot of other mixed that they see and that they relate too. And it’s a beautiful thing because they carry both with them. And they respect both and the love both. And they are both. So, I think it would be fabulous, not only grow towards acceptance but to celebrate the differences.

Sanaa Lathan: That’s what I love about New York City. Being here for this week, it’s like my god, its so many cultures and flavors and that’s the beauty of our differences. And that’s the beauty of America.

For Valentines Day, to you, what is sexy in a man?

Sanaa Lathan: Your gonna depress me…lol. What’s sexy? I’m really a girl. I’m just such a girl. I want all of the stereotype like traditional, you know, flowers, dinner, diamonds, bubbles. Maybe a little painting of the toe nails.

Stephanie Allain: For me? A man who can stand up to me because…it’s someone who won’t back down.