Actress draws from black power’s women
Research for role ‘like being back in college’
In preparation for her role as Patrice Dumas, a ’70s-era student activist who catches the eye of detective Ron Stallworth in Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” it was crucial for actress Laura Harrier to understand the soul of her character.
“I watched a ton of ‘Soul Train,’ ” she said with a laugh. “I tried to dance like them and failed miserably.”
Getting lost in “‘Soul Train’ YouTube holes” to find that distinctive ’70s groove was just the tip of the iceberg for the “Spider-Man: Homecoming” actress. Her extensive research process included conducting interviews, watching the documentary “The Black Power Mixtape” with director Lee and co-star John David Washington, brushing up on blaxploitation films (including “Cleopatra Jones” and “Coffy”) and writing an autobiography of her character (at Lee’s insistence). “Spike gave me a whole reading list,” she said. “It was like being back in college.”
Although Stallworth (Washington) is the titular hero — a Detroit cop who goes undercover with the help of a white colleague (Adam Driver) to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan (and, yes, the movie is based on a true story) — Harrier’s Dumas is arguably the picture’s beating heart.
We caught up with Harrier the morning of the LA premiere. The following is an edited transcript.
Q: Had you been a fan of Spike Lee prior to this film?
A: Yeah, definitely. I grew up watching his movies . ... I think I saw “Do the Right Thing” when I was in high school. His movies changed the way I saw movies. It was sort of the first time I realized a director’s specific vision and how their view of the world can (be expressed through film and) shape so many other people’s views of the world. It was the first time I realized what an auteur is; I saw those movies and I was like, “I want to see more of this person’s movies.”
Q: What was it like working with Lee?
A: It was kind of crazy. At first, it was definitely intimidating and really surreal to just be on set. But once you get to know him, and he gets to know you, he’s really nurturing as a director. I felt really comfortable. He’s collaborative too; everyone’s ideas are welcome . ... I just respect him so much as a filmmaker and as a person.
Q: Do you think there are many opportunities in Hollywood for black women to play strong characters like Patrice?
A: Mmm, no (laughs). So I’m really thankful to be able to play this person and lend my voice to this story. I think we’re seeing more opportunities, but it’s really few.
Q: What did you find special about the role?
A: When you talk about black power and the Black Panther movement, it’s always this really maledriven thing. And I don’t think we’ve seen the female face of that on screen before, at least that I’m aware of. So it’s exciting to play that side of it. At the height of the Panthers, the majority of members were women, and no one ever talks about that. The only name we hear is Angela Davis, who was a huge figure, but there were so many women working for the movement. I just wanted to pay homage to them and give them the respect I think they deserve.
Q: Your character doesn’t exist in the book the film is based on. Where did you draw inspiration from?
A: From these various women. I got to meet Kathleen Cleaver, which was really cool. Spike had us all over to his house, and she was there, and I got to ask her a bunch of questions about her life and her relationship with (Black Panther leader) Eldridge (Cleaver) and how she got to where she was. That was really influential. I read a bunch of Angela Davis’ books, watched a lot of interviews. And then I contacted the Colorado College Alumni Association to talk to people who were in the Black Student Union in the early ’70s. (I asked) like, “Why were you at Colorado College as a black person in the early ’70s? How did you get there?” and all that stuff. I tried to draw from all these different influences to create someone who felt of the time and multidimensional. It was kind of like Spike and I together figuring her out.
Q: Who do you think the intended audience for “BlacKkKlansman” is, and what do you hope they take away from it?
A: I hope everyone can watch this film and take a different message away. I really think this movie isn’t just about being black and white in America. Obviously, that’s the story that we’re telling, but there’s a rise of right-wing movements all over the world, and I think people everywhere can learn something from this. Like, how do people in other countries treat Muslims and immigrants? That’s what we’re really talking about: love and hate. I wouldn’t tell people what to think, but I hope that they question our current administration and see the wrongs that they’re committing.