Rebecca Hall Discusses Stepping Behind the Camera for the Deeply Personal Passing'
08/11/2021
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
24/04/2024
My Oni Girl' Trailer Unveils a World Where Suppressed Emotions Can Transform You
Back to All News My Oni Girl' Trailer Unveils a World Where Suppressed Emo...
23/04/2024
Meet Five of Seoul's Most Glamorous Elite in Super Rich in Korea' Official Trailer
Back to All News Meet Five of Seoul's Most Glamorous Elite in Super Rich i...
23/04/2024
Who's In for Something Really Fun? The Curtain Rises on The 8 Show' with Thrilling Teaser Trailer and Character Posters
Back to All News Who's In for Something Really Fun ? The Curtain Rises on ...
23/04/2024
Celebrating World Book Day: How Netflix Adaptations Are Driving Bestseller Lists
Back to All News Celebrating World Book Day: How Netflix Adaptations Are Driving Bestseller Lists Entertainment 23 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboa...
23/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 15: Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver' Debuts at #1; Baby Reindeer' Rises to the Top
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 15: Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver&...
22/04/2024
Netflix Confirms Thriller Wall to Wall' by Rising Director Kim Tae-joon, Starring Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran and Seo Hyun-woo
Back to All News Netflix Confirms Thriller Wall to Wall' by Rising Directo...
22/04/2024
Netflix Reveals Cast of 65 Actors for Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams', Streaming June 14
Back to All News Netflix Reveals Cast of 65 Actors for Joko Anwar's Nightm...
22/04/2024
Step Into the Ring on May 23: Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf' Unveils Pulse-Pounding Trailer
Back to All News Step Into the Ring on May 23: Garouden: The Way of the Lone W...
22/04/2024
Inspiring Sustainability Stories From Every Genre to Celebrate Earth Week
Back to All News Inspiring Sustainability Stories From Every Genre to Celebrate Earth Week Entertainment 22 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard At ...
19/04/2024
'Fight for Paradise: Who Can You Trust?' - A New Reality Show About Life in Paradise or Hell - Moderated by Bonnie Strange
Back to All News Fight for Paradise: Who Can You Trust? - A New Reality Show Ab...
19/04/2024
FIGHT FOR PARADISE: WHO CAN YOU TRUST? - A new reality show about life in paradise or hell - moderated by Bonnie Strange
Back to All News FIGHT FOR PARADISE: WHO CAN YOU TRUST? - A new reality show ab...
19/04/2024
Fryshuset and Netflix Collaborate to Support Tomorrow's Talent in the Film and TV Industry
Back to All News Fryshuset and Netflix Collaborate to Support Tomorrows Talent ...
18/04/2024
Netflix Announces Production of Last Samurai Standing': An Epic Battle Royale for Survival in Historic Japan
Back to All News Netflix Announces Production of Last Samurai Standing': A...
18/04/2024
Netflix Follows Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in New Series
Back to All News Netflix Follows Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in New SeriesPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 18 April 2024 GlobalUnited States Link copie...
18/04/2024
Chinese-Language Revenge Thriller Series The Resurrected' Marks International Film Stars Shu Qi and Sinje Lee's Debut on Netflix
Back to All News Chinese-Language Revenge Thriller Series The Resurrected'...
18/04/2024
'The Witcher' Season 4 Begins Production in the UK and Netflix Announces Fifth and Final Season
Back to All News The Witcher Season 4 Begins Production in the UK and Netflix A...
17/04/2024
Netflix Presents a First Look at Scenes From 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'
Back to All News Netflix Presents a First Look at Scenes From One Hundred Years...
16/04/2024
Go on Time-Traveling Adventures with Bon and Friends in New TP BON' Trailer
Back to All News Go on Time-Traveling Adventures with Bon and Friends in New T P BON' TrailerPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 16 April 2024 GlobalJ...
16/04/2024
Alert the Ton: Bowral Takes Centre Stage for a Week-Long Bridgerton' Celebration
Back to All News Alert the Ton: Bowral Takes Centre Stage for a Week-Long Brid...
16/04/2024
Netflix Announces Start of Production of Second Season of 'High Tides'
Back to All News Netflix Announces Start of Production of Second Season of High Tides Credits: Mayli Sterkendries Entertainment 16 April 2024 GlobalNetherl...
16/04/2024
Netflix and MVP Announce Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano to Stream Exclusively on Netflix on July 20th
Back to All News Netflix and MVP Announce Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano to Str...
16/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 8: 3 Body Problem' Spends Third Week at #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 8: 3 Body Problem' Spends Third Week at #1 Entertainment 16 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Pr...
15/04/2024
Start of production of 'Un fantasma en la batalla', the latest movie by Agustin Diaz Yanes
Back to All News Start of production of Un fantasma en la batalla, the latest m...
12/04/2024
We Will Buy Your Time: The 8 Show' Promises High Stakes on May 17
Back to All News We Will Buy Your Time : The 8 Show' Promises High Stakes on May 17Play Video Play Video Entertainment 12 April 2024 GlobalSouth Kore...
12/04/2024
Trailer for Goodbye Earth' Explores Life Amidst the Countdown to Doomsday
Back to All News Trailer for Goodbye Earth' Explores Life Amidst the Countdown to DoomsdayPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 12 April 2024 GlobalSout...
11/04/2024
Mon Laferte and Netflix Announce Their Upcoming Documentary and Premiere Date
Back to All News Mon Laferte and Netflix Announce Their Upcoming Documentary and Premiere Date Entertainment 11 April 2024 GlobalChile Link copied to clipb...
11/04/2024
Mon Laferte and Netflix announce their upcoming documentary and the date of its premiere
Back to All News Mon Laferte and Netflix announce their upcoming documentary an...
10/04/2024
Ensemble Cast Joins Sofia Carson In The Romantic Comedy Film 'The Life List'
Back to All News Ensemble Cast Joins Sofia Carson In The Romantic Comedy Film T...
10/04/2024
Netflix Announces a New Comedy Series From Tom Segura
Back to All News Netflix Announces a New Comedy Series From Tom Segura Credit: Shaun Nix Entertainment 10 April 2024 GlobalUnited States Link copied to cl...
09/04/2024
Behind the Scenes: Inside the Immersive Universe of Parasyte: The Grey'
Back to All News Behind the Scenes: Inside the Immersive Universe of Parasyte: The Grey'Play Video Play Video Entertainment 17 April 2024 GlobalSouth ...
09/04/2024
Colin Farrell to Star in Edward Berger's 'The Ballad of a Small Player' for Netflix
Back to All News Colin Farrell to Star in Edward Bergers The Ballad of a Small ...
09/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 1: 3 Body Problem' Holds Strong at #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 1: 3 Body Problem' Holds Strong at #1 Entertainment 09 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Problem...
08/04/2024
Netflix Announces Entire Cast of 'Ferry 2'
Back to All News Netflix Announces Entire Cast of Ferry 2 Frank Lammers & Huub Smit Entertainment 08 April 2024 GlobalBelgium Link copied to clipboard Ne...
08/04/2024
Listen Up: Filming for the Fifth and Final Season of 'Sintonia' Has Begun
Back to All News Listen Up: Filming for the Fifth and Final Season of Sintonia ...
08/04/2024
Netflix Unveils Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' with Riveting Trailer
Back to All News Netflix Unveils Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Epic Series Heeramandi:...
08/04/2024
City Hunter' Trailer Debuts an Adrenaline-Packed, Exhilarating Entertainment Experience
Back to All News City Hunter' Trailer Debuts an Adrenaline-Packed, Exhilar...
08/04/2024
Netflix ISP Speed Index for March 2024
Back to All News Netflix ISP Speed Index for March 2024 Mulitcolor streaks on a black background curved right to foreground with the Netflix logo N at the top...
08/04/2024
'John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In LA' Will Stream Live on Netflix Over Six Nights During Netflix is a Joke Fest
Back to All News John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In LA Will Stream Live ...
05/04/2024
Director Makoto Shinkai's Suzume' Streams on Netflix Around the World From April 6
Back to All News Director Makoto Shinkais Suzume' Streams on Netflix Aroun...
04/04/2024
Seeing is Believing: How The Believers' Delivered a Gripping Exploration of Faith and Finance
Back to All News Seeing is Believing: How The Believers' Delivered a Gripp...
02/04/2024
Lady Whistledown (Under), Bridgerton Is Coming To Bowral!
Back to All News Lady Whistledown (Under), Bridgerton Is Coming To Bowral! Entertainment 02 April 2024 GlobalAustralia Link copied to clipboard Regency ro...
02/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Mar. 25: 3 Body Problem' Is #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Mar. 25: 3 Body Problem' Is #1 Entertainment 02 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Problem, the sci-fi...
28/03/2024
Claire Danes to Star in and Executive Produce Netflix Limited Series 'The Beast In Me'
Back to All News Claire Danes to Star in and Executive Produce Netflix Limited ...
28/03/2024
Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series 'The Seven Dials Mystery' by 'Broadchurch' Writer Chris Chibnall
Back to All News Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series The Seven Dials Myste...
27/03/2024
Gangster Action Meets Bromance - Starting April 4th
Back to All News Gangster Action Meets Bromance - Starting April 4th Entertainment 27 March 2024 GlobalGermany Link copied to clipboard Production compan...
27/03/2024
Netflix Lights Up the Sky With 1,000 Drones to Reveal May 1 Launch Date for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Saga, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'
Back to All News Netflix Lights Up the Sky With 1,000 Drones to Reveal May 1 Launch Date for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Saga, Heeramandi: The Diamond Ba...
27/03/2024
Netflix Drops Trailer of Much Awaited Film Amar Singh Chamkila', Directed by Imtiaz Ali
Back to All News Netflix Drops Trailer of Much Awaited Film Amar Singh Chamkil...
27/03/2024
Netflix Celebrates Indonesia's National Film Day with a Pledge of Support for Local Cinema
Back to All News Netflix Celebrates Indonesia's National Film Day with a Pl...