Don Shanahan
Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Nickel Boys is the feature narrative debut of Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker RaMell Ross. After premiering at August’s Telluride Film Festival, more and more awards and laurels have come its way. Give our own Jay Rohr’s full review a full reading. Amazon MGM Studios has Nickel Boys competing for Oscar consideration this season as it opens in more theaters and locations through January. Virtual newcomers Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson are the two leads of this poignant drama that chronicles multiple timelines of a newfound friendship overshadowed by violence occurring at a Florida panhandle juvenile reform school during the 1960s. Their performances have been earning acclaim and winning over hearts.
As part of a special weekend event hosted by Amazon MGM Studios in Los Angeles for Critics Choice Association members, Film Obsessive Editor-in-Chief Don Shanahan was able to attend and participate in screening, press conference, and meet-and-greet brunch activities for Nickel Boys with RaMell Ross and cast members of the film. At this gathering, Don was granted an in-person interview with Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson. The transcript below comes from an audio recording and has been edited for space and clarity.
Film Obsessive: Thank you so much for having us for this great, great film. It’s very moving and very important, and I’m glad you folks are out there putting it out in the world. I’ll do a harder question first. When I’m not here doing the film critic thing, I’m a fifth grade school teacher. I kind of bring that lens where, to me, every movie has a lesson. I feel like this film (Nickel Boys) is there to be seen by junior high kids and high school kids. What would be the life lesson that a kid or a teenager could take away from this film.
Brandon Wilson: Ooo, that’s good! I was kind of voicing this a little bit earlier. We get to see these boys in this world. It’s happening to all of us, whether we’re older or we’re younger. The world’s constantly telling us how we’re supposed to view ourselves and how we’re supposed to view the world around us. So, I think lesson for kids and everyone in this they have more of a chance. I say that jokingly for me, because that I don’t want to give that excuse to anyone who no longer views themselves as a child and say “It’s too late for me. I’m set in my ways.” That’s a choice. And, I think the lesson this film shows is that you can let go and no longer be set in those ways. Even if it’s just for a second, you can recognize that this—the way everyone’s telling you to be the world or even the way you’re telling yourself to be in the world—doesn’t have to be true for a moment. Everything can open up, and your world can be wide open again and then it’s infinite.
Ethan Herisse: Yeah, they’re like three that I have for sure in my head right now. I feel like the one that can be really important for for children that might not be as emphasized coming up and group is to consider what it’s like to see the world from someone else’s perspective—putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. I think considering that and moving through life that way is really key to showing grace to people and compassion to people. That is key to overall leading with love. I think everyone should at least be waking up and try— as hard as it can be on a daily basis—setting that intention. At the very least, that’s going to open so many things up for your world.
Yeah, absolutely. I agree
Brandon: And also, people aren’t one thing. So, like, when it comes down to race or even when it comes down to something like career—like you’re a teacher and a critic. You’re not fixed or forced to be a certain way or you can be either of those boxes. You can be lots of things.
One of the things that kind of goes with the perspective POV aim and the cinematography of the film is just the way that hands and the way things enter the screens. One of the most evocative moments in the film are the moments of hugs, which again goes to leading with kindness. My question to you—to lighten the effect after the last one—is who in your life gives you the best hugs?
Brandon: It’s it’s funny, because the first person that came to mind is one of the producers, David Levine. His hugs are amazing! He stays in them. He will hold you, even if you let go. It’s strong. It’s close. It’s warm. It doesn’t feel obligatory at all. He’s fully in those hugs, as the first person that comes to mind recently. I love hugs, though! So many!
Ethan: B (Brandon) gives pretty good hugs. I’m not gonna lie. A good friend of mine, Lucas, gives pretty good hugs as well. He’s a strong dude, and that’s not behind his hugs. It’s the warmth. You feel safe. It’s really nice.
Brandon: Alright. This is not a “tip” for hugs, but more of a feeling that comes from the heart and kindness. If you go to your right instead—and both people go to the right—you line up hearts.
I never thought of it that way. Good call! Guess what I’m doing in the morning circle tomorrow in fifth grade? We’re lining up hearts!
I just got out of my interview with Ms. (Aunjunae) Ellis-Taylor. I complemented her extremely well because she finds a maternal level as an actress that a marvel at, whether it’s in this film, Exhibiting Forgiveness, or King Richard. It’s kind of cool that she plays a grandmother, not just the mother. Sometimes, like mother-figures are such a big thing. Can either of you tell me a story about your grandmother? Because grandmas are cool, unless they’re mean old ladies.
Ethan: What I can say about my grandmother is that, ever since I was a kid, everyone was a “raised by the village” type of situation. My grandmother was very present in that way. Growing up and even now, she every felt like just my grandmother. I grew up watching her in a similar way to Grandmother Hattie in this movie. The title of grandma does not matter. What matters is the love and care that they provide to children and the family. I don’t have a specific story with that, but she’s been around since I was a kid taking care of us.
Has she seen the film yet?
Ethan: She has. She watched it.
Brandon: Oh yeah! I met your grandmother! Nice!
I assume she love your work on it and appreciated it?
Ethan: She did!
How about you, Brandon? What’s grandma like?
Brandon: I was definitely closer with my mom’s mother. When I was younger, we used to go there for all the holidays, and she’s a closer drive. Since, we haven’t been close very much in the past years. On my dad’s side, she passed away some years ago. We weren’t ever that close either, but I do remember—once she did pass away— how me and my brother and my mom all wants to Jamaica (where my dad is from). I was struck by the family’s reaction to it. The have something in Jamaica called a “dead yard,” which is a celebration of the person who passed. And they celebrated! It’s not a somber thing. That was the next day. But that’s what struck me more, was the impact she had on this community that showed up to celebrate her life. All these people that I never met, like real cousins, are just people she had touched. They would come and share their stories with me.
I don’t want to keep you longer because I know you’re on a schedule. Thank you, fellas, for what you do!
