We wanted a critique on our culture, on the racism that’s painted us as monsters
Jodie Turner-Smith and Daniel Kaluuya star in Queen & Slim
times,” the filmmaker adds.
“We wanted to have a critique on our culture, on systematic racism in the institutions that we live in, that have painted us as monsters.
“And we wanted to portray that honestly and authentically so that all people could understand and create empathy for our community.”
Lena, who first worked with celebrated music video director Melina on the cult Thanksgiving episode of the Netflix series Master Of None, nods in agreement.
“Just the fact we didn’t have to say anything, that visual and that sound, it resonates, people can understand the fear.
“I think that is why it was so
Two young people are thrown together when a first date ends in the death of a policeman urgent to tell the story,” she says.
“This was an epidemic that was happening, not just in our country but all over the world, and I think the time was now to tell it.
“That is why I really was adamant that we have to shoot and release this script in the same year, because if you sit on it, someone else will do a bad version of this movie.” Does she think it’s an angry film? “I don’t think it’s necessarily angry,” Lena says thoughtfully, “I think it’s truth.
“I think it’s reality and people I think don’t necessarily want to look at that, they want a fantasy, but unfortunately black folks don’t get to live in a fantasy in this world.
“I didn’t want to portray something false, I wanted to be honest about what that experience is like.”
As Queen and Slim hit the road, heading for Florida from Ohio in the hope of getting to Cuba, they
discover themselves and each other.
For British star Daniel, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in race satire Get Out, it was the relationship that develops between the pair that held the most appeal.
“I think it was just the simplicity of the love story that really spoke to me,” he says.
“The characters popped off the page and I read it and I was on the journey with them.
“I was invested in their evolution and how they were able to connect, that really spoke to me.
“And what sets this film apart, and what sets this script apart for me, was that in a crazy situation there are some really great jokes.
“You meet some funny people and they’re not trying to be funny, just their outlook is humorous.
“There are these amazing moments where people are just really interesting, in how people approach tense situations.”
He is more circumspect about the question of anger.
“If it’s angry, then that is a reflection of you.
“Someone did say to me you should only make a film if you’ve got something to scream about, so I think every film has an element of cup runneth over, where you want to let something out.
“If someone wants to take it and make it their own, then we have done our job.
“I try not to project or tell you how to feel, it’s just trying to tell a story and go, ‘What do you think?’
“If there is something you want to speak about, whether it’s good or bad, you just want to keep the conversation going and hopefully people are able to see each other better.”
Jodie, who is best known for her role in Nightflyers, leans forward.
“The story felt like it was something so relevant to right now, especially because I live in America and it felt like it was speaking to something that is a very real fear.
“So it was an interesting way to tell a story surrounding that topic and also interesting because it really is a love story. It is about these two people and their journey and who they become and why they become that.
“I thought that that greater point of it made the story so much more interesting. It wasn’t just, ‘Oh we are talking about this’ and really heavy-handed, it was really about that love.”