Andre Holland: I have known Tarell Alvin McCraney for ten years but th...

I just hope to work with great people, and do things that are challenging for me and that I can be proud of and not have to hide my face about. Those are my guidelines.

Andre Holland

proud challenges people

You have to see through one's faults before you see their need.

Andre Holland

faults needs

I want to see more young filmmakers, and specifically filmmakers who have a unique voice. I wouldn't mind seeing less of the attempt to force-feed people what others think they want, if that makes sense - whatever the formula is that some people seem to operate under, like needing a certain star, or needing a certain thing in order to get a piece made.

Andre Holland

stars unique thinking

Now, perhaps more than ever, we need more and more examples of healing. We need to learn what it takes to heal.

Andre Holland

example healing needs

Politically, nowadays, as we know and feel, we are similarly underrepresented and not heard.

Andre Holland

heard knows feels

I personally feel like black people in America have contributed so much for so long, and haven't always gotten credit for it.

Andre Holland

long america people

I just want to play interesting characters, and I want to work with the best directors I can work with.

Andre Holland

play character interesting

If I find great material, or a great character, or a great director that wants to do something on TV, or whether it's in film, or whatever it is, man - as long as it's good, and on the level, I'm open to it.

Andre Holland

character men long

I had a cheat sheet because I knew Tarell [Alvin McCraney]. His movie is largely autobiographical. I knew about certain events in his life and some of the people he talks about. I had visited the place where he lived many times so I understood innately what that was.

Andre Holland

cheat events people

I went down and spoke to some of the people who lived in the neighborhood in Miami. At the end of the day I think my connection with Tarell [Alvin McCraney] is what helped me the most.

Andre Holland

the-end-of-the-day people thinking

The way people are responding to [Moonlight movie] is something we never anticipated. We knew it was good but it is so diverse. The way people are reacting shows me that everyone sees themselves in it. That is groundbreaking. Similarly people come up some older people that it is not their story but are just crying in our arms after a screening. They know what it was like to be bullied or struggled with their own identity trying to figure out who they are. It has really caught people's imaginations.

Andre Holland

imagination identity people

It is that rare film [Moonlight] that comes along once in a while that catches the zeitgeist. This movie is that. I certainly have my fingers crossed that it is. Everyone needs to see this movie.

Andre Holland

zeitgeist film needs

I look at it [Moonlight] and young Alex Hibbert who plays the young Chiron gives such a beautiful performance. By the time you get to the third story there have been so many great performances that you forget this kid was brilliant. Everybody does their job. It really is a true ensemble. I wish that were a category at the Oscars.

Andre Holland

beautiful jobs kids

Historically it has been a touchy subject, especially in the south where I am from, people don't really talk about it. If they do talk about it, it is often talked about negatively. Nowadays in light of the Black Lives Matter movement I think people should pay attention to these lives also. I think the Black community will really embrace the film [Moonlight]. It is about us. It is real.

Andre Holland

light real thinking

It [Moonlight movie] deals with drug addiction, drug dealing, and single parenthood, but they are three dimensional characters. You understand where they are from and what they are trying to do with their lives. It is not a stereotype that has been pasted onto somebody. These are stories that come from Barry's [ Jenkins] and Tarell's [Alvin McCraney] mothers.

Andre Holland

addiction mother character

I want to shift my career back to shows like The Knick. I prefer the classic drama structure.

Andre Holland

careers want drama

Barry Jenkins just cast the right people and framed things the right way.

Andre Holland

framed people way

I wanted to work with Barry [ Jenkins]. I am a big fan of his from Medicine for Melancholy years ago. Tarrell [Alvin McCraney] is my favorite playwright. I will do anything he asks. The characters were so clearly drawn and three dimensional. It was an easy thing to say yes to.

Andre Holland

medicine character years

Things maybe take longer usually when it comes to TV - especially network TV. There are usually multiple levels that you have to go through in terms of the casting director, the producers, the studio, the network, reading with other people.

Andre Holland

reading directors people

Working on Shakespeare and learning about Shakespeare was the big takeaway for me.

Andre Holland

takeaways bigs

I have known Tarell Alvin McCraney for ten years but the involvement with Moonlight came more with Barry Jenkins, the director. He was a fan of the show I did called The Knick. He was also with Plan B Entertainment, who produced Selma. That is how I got involved.