Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Rebecca Hall Discusses Stepping Behind the Camera for the Deeply Personal Passing'

08/11/2021

Back to All News

Rebecca Hall Discusses Stepping Behind the Camera for the Deeply Personal Passing'

Netflix Staff

Entertainment

08 November 2021

GlobalUnited States

On the new Netflix film Passing, Rebecca Hall ventured behind the camera for the first time as the film's writer and director. Based on the novel by Nella Larsen, the movie follows two black women (Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga) who can pass as white and choose to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1929 New York.

Although this is Hall's first time directing, it's something she's wanted to do for a long time. It has always been a thought in my head that directing films was the medium that would incorporate all my interests, she says about her love for painting, writing and music. I could never make any of these things individually my career. Filmmaking is the way in which all these interests get utilized.

Ahead of the film's Nov. 10 Netflix debut, Hall talked about her personal connection to Passing, making the film in black and white, and David Bowie's surprising involvement.

When were you first acquainted with Nella Larsen's novel? What inspired you to adapt it for film?

I read it for the first time about 13 or 14 years ago when I had been spending a lot more time in the US, and had started to ask a lot more questions about my American family. There had always been vague talk about my grandfather being Black, and passing for white although it was never framed

that way. He was light-skinned, he married a Dutch woman, lived in a white neighborhood and raised his children as white. I never knew him. He sadly passed when my mother was a teenager and a lot of the answers to these questions went with him. It just wasn't something we spoke about and I'm not even sure it's something her family spoke about either. At some point, I got a bit more inquisitive about trying to pin down the facts. It was made clear that yes, my grandfather was Black, and was white passing most of his life, furthermore it is quite possible that both his parents were also white passing.

I mentioned all of this to a friend of mine, and he suggested I read Passing. The feeling I had at the time was just this shock of recognition. I knew these characters, and knew them in a way that I found confusing. I finished the novella and started writing the script almost immediately in some sort of attempt to get to grips with that feeling. Over the years, I think what I've come to is that even though I am a person who presents as white, and as such doesn't experience the day to day pressures of being black in this country, I am also a person who grew up in a family that has been shaped indelibly and painfully by the legacy of racism, in particular the legacy of racial passing. In the end, I decided that I needed to make this film both because of where I come from as a filmmaker, and also because making this film is my way of reaching back into my own family with compassion, generosity and love towards those who formed their identities in a world that feared and despised them.

What was your approach to adapting Larsen's novel?

The first part of it was fairly haphazard. I read the book, I put it down, and wrote the script. In about 10 days I had a draft. I figured the parts that meant something to me would stick and my brain would fill the gaps needed to make it into a film. I tried not to censor myself too much because at the time I was doing it entirely for myself. The night I finished that draft I happened to go to an event attended by David Bowie, who is absolutely one of my artistic heroes. I was completely starstruck, but he was very gracious and easy to talk to and we ended up talking about books. Up until that point whenever I mentioned Passing no one had heard of it, but Bowie cited it as one of his favorite novels. The following day he sent me a relatively hard-to-find biography of Larsen and a note of encouragement to follow through with the idea of making it a film. After that, I researched and read a lot and then did another draft with all of that knowledge incorporated.

Why did you decide to shoot the film in black and white?

Part of the concept of this film was to turn it into the great, female-driven 1930's noir it should have been if Hollywood studios had made noirs with Black female leads in the '30s. That was the genesis. The fantasy of discovering this lost film that might have existed in a better world. It also takes color out of the realm of the real and renders it abstract, conceptual. The world isn't black and white as our eye perceives it, and so we know when we watch a black and white film that we're engaged in a process of translation. This is true of how we perceive race, as well. No one is literally black or white, obviously, and yet these categories are so important that we automatically translate what our eye actually perceives into something conceptual. It's a similar process, which this film tries to call attention to, and hopefully complicate. I also always instinctively thought that the best way to make a movie about colorism was to take all the color out of it.

What do you want the viewer to take away from this film?

I hope they have an experience watching it that matters to them in some way. If it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people then Ive done my job as a filmmaker.

Passing is available to stream Nov. 10 on Netflix.
LINK: https://about.netflix.com/en/news/rebecca-hall-discusses-directing-the...
See more stories from netflix

More from Netflix

11/07/2025

'Too Hot to Handle: Italy' Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix

Back to All News Too Hot to Handle: Italy Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix Entertainment 11 July 2025 GlobalItaly Link copied to clipboard July 11, 20...

11/07/2025

Netflix Will Release 'Death Inc.' Seasons 1, 2 and 3

Back to All News Netflix Will Release Death Inc. Seasons 1, 2 and 3 Entertainment 11 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Season 1 Season 2 Se...

10/07/2025

Netflix Presents the Official Trailer for 'Superestar'

Back to All News Netflix Presents the Official Trailer for SuperestarPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 10 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard...

10/07/2025

Bringing Culture Into Focus on My Brilliant Career': First Nations Voices Reshaping Storytelling on Set

Back to All News Bringing Culture Into Focus on My Brilliant Career': Firs...

09/07/2025

Netflix Has Released the Trailer for 'Letters From the Past,' Sparking Curiosity With Its Cast and Compelling Story

Back to All News Netflix Has Released the Trailer for Letters From the Past, Sp...

09/07/2025

Netflix Announces the Start of Filming for 'Aquel,' the New Series Based on Raphael's Life

Back to All News Netflix Announces the Start of Filming for Aquel, the New Seri...

09/07/2025

Netflix Set to Adapt Solo Leveling' Into Korean Live-Action Series Starring Byeon Woo-seok

Back to All News Netflix Set to Adapt Solo Leveling' Into Korean Live-Acti...

08/07/2025

Lust. Betrayal. Obsession. 'Fatal Seduction' Returns with a Smouldering Cast This August

Back to All News Lust. Betrayal. Obsession. Fatal Seduction Returns with a Smou...

08/07/2025

'The Monster of Florence': The Four-Episode TV Series Directed by Stefano Sollima Is Coming Only on Netflix on October 22

Back to All News The Monster of Florence: The Four-Episode TV Series Directed b...

08/07/2025

Shooting of '53 Sundays', Cesc Gay's New Project, Is Finished

Back to All News Shooting of 53 Sundays, Cesc Gays New Project, Is Finished Entertainment 08 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Download the f...

07/07/2025

Vir Das Finds His Voice Again in Netflix's 'Fool Volume', Promising Wit, Wisdom, and Worldwide Laughs

Back to All News Vir Das Finds His Voice Again in Netflix's Fool Volume, Pr...

07/07/2025

The Long-Awaited Trailer is Here: Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Premieres September 25

Back to All News The Long-Awaited Trailer is Here: Alice in Borderland' Se...

07/07/2025

Anime for Every Fan: Fueling a New Era of Global Storytelling

Back to All News Anime for Every Fan: Fueling a New Era of Global Storytelling Entertainment 07 July 2025 GlobalUnited StatesJapan Link copied to clipboard...

07/07/2025

'She Walks in Darkness', Agustn Daz Yanes' New Film, Premieres on Netflix on October 17

Back to All News She Walks in Darkness, Agust n D az Yanes New Film, Premieres ...

05/07/2025

'Superestar,' the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18

Back to All News Superestar, the Story of a Star Who Never Changed. Premiering July 18 Entertainment 05 July 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Dis...

03/07/2025

Netflix Announces the Premiere of 'I'm Still a Superestar,' a Documentary about Tamarism. Premiering July 18

Back to All News Netflix Announces the Premiere of Im Still a Superestar, a Doc...

03/07/2025

Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Third Season of the Brazilian Original Series 'Criminal Code'

Back to All News Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...

03/07/2025

Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the third season of the Brazilian original series Criminal Code

Back to All News Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...

01/07/2025

A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, 'Marked'

Back to All News A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, MarkedPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 01 July 2025 GlobalSouth Africa ...

01/07/2025

Neil Patrick Harris to Host 'What's In The Box' - A Bold New Game Show Coming to Netflix

Back to All News Neil Patrick Harris to Host What's In The Box - A Bold New...

01/07/2025

Feel the Beat: Glass Heart' Main Trailer and Title Song Revealed

Back to All News Feel the Beat: Glass Heart' Main Trailer and Title Song RevealedPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 01 July 2025 GlobalJapan Link co...

01/07/2025

Watch: A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New Series, 'Marked'

Back to All News Watch: A Line Crossed: Netflix Drops Explosive Trailer for New...

30/06/2025

NASA+ Is Coming to Netflix This Summer

Back to All News NASA Is Coming to Netflix This Summer Entertainment 30 June 2025 GlobalUnited States Link copied to clipboard NASA and Netflix are teami...

30/06/2025

Netflix Releases Trailer for Petra Costa's New Documentary 'Apocalypse in the Tropics,' Premiering on July 14

Back to All News Netflix Releases Trailer for Petra Costas New Documentary Apoc...

30/06/2025

Netflix releases trailer for Petra Costa's new documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics, premiering on July 14

Back to All News Netflix releases trailer for Petra Costas new documentary Apoc...

30/06/2025

Beln Cuesta and Karra Elejalde Star in 'El nio', the New Film by Mariano Barroso

Back to All News Bel n Cuesta and Karra Elejalde Star in El ni o, the New Film ...

30/06/2025

A New Dangerous Troll Awakens: Netflix Unleashes Teaser for 'Troll 2'

Back to All News A New Dangerous Troll Awakens: Netflix Unleashes Teaser for Troll 2Play Video Play Video Entertainment 30 June 2025 GlobalNorwayDenmarkSwe...

29/06/2025

A Secret Society, Ritualistic Killings, and a Century-Old Curse Netflix and YRF Entertainment's 'Mandala Murders' Premieres July 25

Back to All News A Secret Society, Ritualistic Killings, and a Century-Old Curs...

27/06/2025

Let the Final Games Begin With Squid Game' Season 3 Complete Coverage Guide

Back to All News Let the Final Games Begin With Squid Game' Season 3 Complete Coverage Guide Entertainment 27 June 2025 Global Link copied to clipboar...

27/06/2025

'Squid Game: Unleashed': Celebrate the Epic Series Finale With New Games, Characters and Rewards

Back to All News Squid Game: Unleashed: Celebrate the Epic Series Finale With N...

25/06/2025

'It's Worth It by Dani Rovira' Arrives at Netflix on July 11th

Back to All News Its Worth It by Dani Rovira Arrives at Netflix on July 11thPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 25 June 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to cl...

25/06/2025

Step Into the Game IRL With 'Squid Game' Season 3-Inspired Products, Games and Experiences as the Global Phenomenon Returns June 27

Back to All News Step Into the Game IRL With Squid Game Season 3-Inspired Produ...

25/06/2025

Teaser for Action Thriller Series Trigger' Unleashes Tension as Firearms Surface in a Gun-Free Nation - Premieres July 25

Back to All News Teaser for Action Thriller Series Trigger' Unleashes Tens...

25/06/2025

Love, Conflict and Family Drama: Netflix Drops The Trailer For Aap Jaisa Koi' - a Melodic and Visual Masterpiece

Back to All News Love, Conflict and Family Drama: Netflix Drops The Trailer For...

25/06/2025

The Ripple Effect of K-Content: How Netflix Viewers Are Embracing Korean Culture

Back to All News The Ripple Effect of K-Content: How Netflix Viewers Are Embracing Korean Culture A giant Young-hee presides over the Red Light, Green Light g...

23/06/2025

'Squid Game' By the Numbers: How Player 456 Took Over the World

Back to All News Squid Game By the Numbers: How Player 456 Took Over the World From left to right: Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-shim, Lee Jung-jae, Hwang Dong-hyuk...

22/06/2025

'Fall For Me' - Erotic Summer Drama by Sherry Hormann Starts August 21

Back to All News Fall For Me - Erotic Summer Drama by Sherry Hormann Starts August 21 Netflix / Julia Terjung Entertainment 22 June 2025 GlobalGermany L...

22/06/2025

Wall to Wall': Gripping Thriller Set in an Apartment Complex Premieres on July 18

Back to All News Wall to Wall': Gripping Thriller Set in an Apartment Comp...

20/06/2025

Turn Your Netflix to "Fool" Volume: Vir Das Drops a New Special on July 18!

Back to All News Turn Your Netflix to "Fool" Volume: Vir Das Drops a New Special on July 18! Entertainment 20 June 2025 GlobalIndia Link copied to clipboar...

19/06/2025

A Father. Two Kids. And the Videos She Left Behind. 'Catalog' to Premiere on Netflix on July 17

Back to All News A Father. Two Kids. And the Videos She Left Behind. Catalog to...

18/06/2025

'Fria', the New Netflix Series Starring Vinicius Neri, Fabio Lago and Alice Carvalho, Starts Shooting in Rio de Janeiro

Back to All News F ria, the New Netflix Series Starring Vinicius Neri, Fabio La...

18/06/2025

One Man Against All Odds: Ziam' Trailer Teases Thrilling Thai Martial Arts Zombie Combat

Back to All News One Man Against All Odds: Ziam' Trailer Teases Thrilling ...

17/06/2025

WIF Welcomes 2025 Fellowship Class

Back to All News WIF Welcomes 2025 Fellowship Class WIF 2025 Fellows Class Photo Social Impact 17 June 2025 United States Link copied to clipboard Today,...

17/06/2025

'My Brilliant Career' Series Adaptation Now in Production in South Australia for Netflix

Back to All News My Brilliant Career Series Adaptation Now in Production in Sou...

17/06/2025

Netflix And TF1 Group Join Forces To Bring TF1 To Netflix Members In France

Back to All News Netflix and TF1 Group Join Forces to Bring TF1 to Netflix Members in France Entertainment 17 June 2025 GlobalFrance Link copied to clipbo...

17/06/2025

'Two Graves' Arrives on Netflix on August 29

Back to All News Two Graves Arrives on Netflix on August 29 Entertainment 17 June 2025 GlobalSpain Link copied to clipboard Download the first images Net...

12/06/2025

'Brick': No Way Out - Mystery Thriller With Matthias Schweighfer, Ruby O. Fee and Frederick Lau

Back to All News Brick: No Way Out - Mystery Thriller With Matthias Schweigh fe...

12/06/2025

Irresistibly Cute Trailer for My Melody & Kuromi' Unveils a Stop-Motion Adventure Through Mariland, Premiering July 24

Back to All News Irresistibly Cute Trailer for My Melody & Kuromi' Unveils...

12/06/2025

Netflix Gets Animated at Annecy!

Back to All News Netflix Gets Animated at Annecy! Top row from left to right: Fixed (Film), In Your Dreams (Film), Long Story Short (Series) Bottom row from ...