JUST MERCY -Andrew Lanham – Co-writer with Destin Daniel Cretton,(Director) (starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, and Brie Larson.) It tells the true story of Walter McMillian, who with the help of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson appeals his murder conviction to get off of death row.
Sheryl Aronson: What is the film about? And who are the actors in the film?
Andrew Lanham – Just Mercy is an adaptation of the book written by Bryan Stevenson and it stars Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. It’s a true story of Bryan Stevenson’s (played by Michael B. Jordon) case, where he represents a man wrongfully accused on death row, played by Jamie Foxx.
Sheryl Aronson: How much research went into writing this movie?
Andrew Lanham: We did a lot of research via Bryan Stevenson who played a vital part in the writing of the story. He was with us every step of the way. Bryan runs The Equal Justice Initiative and is currently one of the most prominent lawyers for being against the death penalty. There were a lot of conversations and interviews with him.
Sheryl Aronson: The subject matter for the film is very loaded, volatile and personal. How did you develop the characters?
Andrew Lanham: With most writing projects, the writer is approaching the story with the question, how can I bring my personal voice to the story. The characters in Just Mercy do not have my own personal voice or my experience. But I had a wonderful relationship with Destin Cretton, cowriter and director. I felt I could help him bring the truth of his vision alive to the screen. Destin’s truth matched the spirit and accuracy of interpretation that is vibrant and alive in Bryan Stevenson’s work. So for me, bringing my voice to the characters wasn’t as important as it was how could I be of service to represent the real voices of each person.
Sheryl Aronson: What do you want the audience to walk away with after seeing Just Mercy?
Andrew Lanham: Change in our justice system in America can feel really slow, but Bryan Stevenson infused his message with the spirit of understanding, while also educating in a deep and powerful way.
Sheryl Aronson: Talk about working with Jamie Foxx. How did he bring his character to life?
Andrew Lanham: Jamie is always so amazing to watch. It’s a thrill and an honor to watch an actor of his caliber bring to life words that you have some part in creating. This performance is a special one by Jamie because he embraces the essence of this man’s pain.
Sheryl Aronson: The film is a docudrama. What is the dramatic arc of the story?
Andrew Lanham: Bryan Stevenson, (his character in the film), as well as in real life, is very focused on giving representation to people who remain voiceless in our country. The arc of the story is the road to justice. Through Jamie’s character, there is one example of justice being served, but I also hope that the film gives a picture toward the ways the justice system fails people, too.
Original Source: AGENDA April 2020 Issue #12 “Generation Quarantine” agenda-april2020-pg-56-63-web
Amazon Prime is giving a free preview of Just Mercy. Just click the image below.
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