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Sweater and skirt: Chloe

NAOMIE HARRIS

Photography: Takahiro Ogawa

Fashion: Paul Frederick

Cape and shorts: Miu Miu, Sweater: Derek Lam, Boots: Sergio Rossi, Tights: WolfordWatch: Omega

Jacket: Helmut Lang, Cardigan and sweater: Agnona, Boots: Sergio RossiWatch: Omega

Interview by Sydney Nash

You began your career at a young age. Can you tell me a bit about what drew you to acting at such an early point in your life? How would you say your early start in the industry affected your career?

I have absolutely no idea why, but I always knew that I was going to be an actress. Even as young as three years old, I’d tell people that I was going to be an actress and hold them hostage in our front room performing for them. My Grandad gave me a children’s bible, and I would learn passages and recite them to my captive audience. My mum thankfully nurtured my desire to act by sending me to an after-school local drama class for inner city kids at Anna Scher Theatre. As soon as I took part in my first class at the theatre, I was hooked. I quickly worked my way from the regular class into the “young professionals,” where I was able to audition for parts in film and TV shows. My career started at 9 years old in productions like Simon and the Witchfor the BBC, Runaway Bayfor ITV and other children’s shows. This early start in the profession helped me enormously as an adult because some of the hardest things to do in front of the camera, like ‘hitting marks’ without looking like you’re ‘hitting marks.’ I got to master this as a child when people are patient and understanding instead of learning those skills as an adult when you’re expected to know how to do them. I still made sure that I went to drama school after university to ensure that I retrained as an adult, as the pressure and expectations of being a child actor are so different from those as an adult actor. I wanted to make sure that I was ready for the challenges I knew lay ahead of me. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

2017 was a big year for you. Moonlightwon “Best Picture” at the Academy Awards, you were nominated for “Best Supporting Actress” at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs for your role, and last but certainly not least, you were appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for your services to drama. These are all incredible honors. How did you stay grounded during this period? 

2017 was indeed a phenomenal year for me! I still look back and think, Wow! what a year!I managed to stay grounded in the same way that I normally do, which is by surrounding myself with family and friends who all keep things in perspective and remind me what is truly important… and also through my twice daily meditation!

When you think back on your whole filmography, what was the most challenging role you’ve ever undertaken? What was the most transformative for your career?

Without a doubt the most challenging character for me to play has been Winnie Mandela. The challenge of playing Winnie was further compounded by the fact that when I played her, she was still alive. I knew that she would get the chance to see the film, people who knew her would also see the film, as well as potentially millions of people who have a very strong impression of who Winnie Mandela is. I’m not an imitator, I’m an actress. I wanted to capture her spirit and to make her believable, but I knew I’d never be able to sound or behave exactly as she did.

I did a tremendous amount of research into who she was. I discovered that there are wildly different opinions. In simplistic terms, some people saw her as an angel and other people saw her as this sort of devil. I got incredibly confused at one point about how to find the truth of who she was. Thankfully, I got to meet Winnie and I was able to ask her, “How do you want me to play you?” She said, “You are more than capable of playing this role because you have been given it, and you can play me as YOU think is right.” Being given that free reign to allow my own instinct to guide me in creating Winnie was so helpful. All the voices that had been in my head and their impressions of who she was disappeared at that moment because I thought, This is MY character, and I can create her in the way I feel is right because Winnie Mandela herself has given me the freedom to do so.

In terms of the most transformative role for my career, that is definitely Paula in Moonlightbecause of the awards attention I received as a result, which then completely changed the kind of roles I have been offered since.

Cape and shorts: Miu Miu, Sweater: Derek Lam, Boots: Sergio Rossi, Tights: Wolford

Coat: Derek Lam, Dress: Longchamp, Boots: Alexandre Vauthier

You took an eight month break from acting following  the whirlwind success of Moonlight and the filming of Rampage. What prompted you to take a step back from the industry, and what eventually brought you back? 

I was simply burnt out after Moonlight. Promoting the movie meant I had to do so many things unrelated to acting that I found depleting. I started to associate those other requirements, such as interviews and red carpet appearances, with my job as an actress and thought I don’t enjoy this anymore! I took time out to find my passion again. I told my team that I wanted to take a year off, but after 8 months my team said, “We have a role that we think you need to read!” It was Black and Blue, and after reading it, I knew it was time to get back to work!

You’ve accomplished many feats in your career and have much more to come. What are you focused on accomplishing right now? Do you have any short or long-term goals that you’re working on?

I genuinely am not goal-oriented. I’m not sure you really can be as an actor unless you generate your own work by writing or producing. As I don’t currently do either of those things, I have to be responsive to what is sent to me. I always find that the perfect role comes in at the perfect time to stretch and challenge me in exactly the way I need. In that way, I think acting often feels divine. My goal is to always keep growing and improving as an actor, to keep being grounded in truth and to communicate that truth with passion.

Service is a seemingly large part of your life, with your hands in a lot of different programs and causes. What’s the drive behind your philanthropic pursuits? 

I had a privileged life, not because I came from wealth or anything like that. I certainly didn’t. It was privileged because I had a mother who nurtured and respected my dreams, and I grew up in an environment with love. I am very aware that I wouldn’t be where I am today without that upbringing and keenly aware that so many people don’t get that start in life. I want to do everything I can to help those who didn’t get the kind of start in life I did. I hate the idea of all that potential in a person going to waste because it isn’t recognised and nurtured.

Coat: Derek Lam, Dress: Longchamp, Boots: Alexandre Vauthier

Alicia is seemingly caught between two worlds (hence the title Black and Blue), where her allegiance to both the police and the black community are called into question throughout the film. What was your approach to getting into Alicia’s head? Were you able to pull from any of your own experiences to inform your performance?

My approach to getting into Alicia’s head was the same as for getting into the head of all my characters. I plotted her history based on clues in the script and then used my imagination and research to fill in the blanks. She became a fully-formed character who was then able to turn around and tell me about her struggles, her opinions, her weaknesses and strengths, etc. I have a bit of an odd way of allowing characters to speak to me…I sit on a chair and pretend I’m being interviewed. Then, I wait for the character to answer.

A hugely useful experience that I was able to draw on to find Alicia was my experience working with undercover police while making the movie Miami Vice. For about a month, I trained with undercover police officers. I did all the kind of police training that Alicia would have done, so that helped me understand her skill set and mindset as a rookie cop.

Director Deon Taylor calls Alicia a “superhero.” She is the moral compass and acts as an instrument of justice in the film. Tell me a little bit about what specifically drew you to Alicia’s character. Do you agree that her character is a superhero? 

Alicia is definitely my superhero. Anyone who fights peacefully for justice, fairness, and against corruption is my hero. Alicia is literally on the front line working to make the world a better, fairer, more just place. It’s this quality that drew me to her character. I was inspired by her and knew she would be an inspiration to others, and that her dilemma of being a policewoman and also belonging to the black community was an experience I’ve never seen explored on film from a female perspective before.

Sweater and skirt: Chloe

Coat and dress: Nina Ricci, Boots: Sergio Rossi

The film was shot in (an amazing) 24 days in New Orleans, which must have been a whirlwind for you. What did a typical day look like for you, and did you do anything to relax and stay grounded?

I never count days on a film, so I had no idea it was in fact that short! This was my first ever lead role, so I was literally on set every single day. It was a new experience for me, but it was one which I adored as I got to help in setting the rhythm for the entire film. Instead of spending hours of the day waiting in my trailer, I got to spend the day doing what I love: acting! A typical day started at about 5:30AM in hair and makeup, then straight onto set for a quick rehearsal and straight into filming! We generally had running lunches. Instead of a whole hour spent eating, we kept working and ate on-the-go, so that we could finish the day earlier and not have a post-lunch lull in energy. We usually finished when the sunlight started to fade at about 7Pm. Then, home to prep for the next day!

I was incredibly lucky on this film because one of the ladies in the hair department, Miss Dana, was a healer. She gave me healing to keep me grounded and top my energy off during filming. She was literally a miracle worker.

Black and Blue is the first film to feature a black female cop in the leading role, making the film’s perspective unique and the first of its kind. Did you feel any added pressure coming into the role with this knowledge? What did you want to bring to Alicia through your performance?

I didn’t feel extra pressure, as my aim is always to be truthful and find the characters truth regardless of the role. In that way, they are ALL pressured! I wanted to bring humanity to Alicia, as so many people just see her uniform. I wanted people to see that she is ultimately a woman with a heart and immense compassion, trying to do her very best to combine her commitment to her chosen profession and her loyalties to her community.

The movie grapples with difficult, yet important, themes, including police brutality, corruption and racism, specifically in America. Where do you see Black and Blue fitting into the current political and social narrative of this country in regards to these topics? Is there one message from this film that is paramount?

I think there are multiple themes and messages in Black and Blue. The most powerful one for me is Alicia’s choice to “be the change.” Ultimately, she chooses for the buck to stop with her, to be the one person in her department who stands up against those who are corrupt and abusive. Her stand is an inspirational message about how one person has the power to confront evil and change a culture of abuse and corruption.

Given the current backdrop in America of police brutality and racism captured and recorded by the public and the profound mistrust between communities of colour and the people sworn to protect them, this is an incredibly timely film. Alicia, as a black policewoman, embodies this conflict. She finds by choosing to don a blue uniform, she is immediately perceived as being disloyal to her community. Through Alicia, we as an audience, see her struggle to find a way to be both black and blue.

You’re renewing your role as Eve Moneypenny in the upcoming James Bond movie. I understand you can’t tell us much about the film, but I’m curious as to how the role of women in the franchise is shifting.  There’s been outcry to introduce a female 007 and calls for more character depth for female characters, which I believe we’ve seen in the past few films (especially in  the role of Moneypenny). You’ve even been outspoken about your character being referred to as a “Bond Woman” instead of “Bond Girl.” The showrunners have brought on writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Killing Eve, Fleabag) to help write the script, which no doubt guarantees a stronger female perspective. What does this mean for the role of women in the James Bond franchise?

The Bond franchise has evolved dramatically over the years in terms of it’s treatment of women, and it continues to do so. That’s one of the reasons the franchise continues to be so successful, because it manages to keep the tradition of Bond alive whilst reflecting the changes in society. Women are no longer the adjunct to the stories, they are central to propelling it forwards. That change will be even more apparent in the upcoming Bond!!

Coat and dress: Nina Ricci, Boots: Sergio Rossi,  Watch: Omega

Sweater and skirt: Chloe

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

My first drama teacher, Anna Scher, would always say: “Success is being all about being prepared, it’s 99% Perspiration and 1% inspiration.” Basically, hard work always pays off. So true!

If you could snap your fingers and solve one world issue, what would it be?

Wow! We face so many huge issues that we need solutions to right now: climate change, destruction of our rainforests, our treatment of animals and lack of respect for the food chain, the way money and success is valued above integrity, the displacement of millions of people in war-torn countries and how best to help, etc. I’m not sure that I could choose any one issue as being more important than the others to snap my fingers and solve.

Where are you the happiest?

In the English countryside with good food, friends and family.

What’s the biggest misconception people have of you?

That I’m serious. I’m quite goofy, really.

Who most inspires you?

Oprah Winfrey – I’m always inspired by Oprah’s insatiable desire to keep learning and growing, as well as her generosity in sharing those lessons and insights with the world. She is truly one of the greatest teachers we have.

You’re not on set. Where can we find you?

Mumbling my lines in a corner.

What are you looking forward to most in the next year?

I’m super excited about the project I’m currently filming. I’ll be filming in the UK until December, so I’m really looking forward to escaping on a holiday somewhere warm with sunshine once I’m finished. I love the UK, but the constant rain, cold and grey sky at this time of year can wear even the sunniest of personalities down!

Coat: Marc Jacobs, Body suit: Alexander Wang, Boots: Alexadre Vauthier,  Watch: Omega

Jacket: Helmut Lang, Cardigan and sweater: Agnona, Boots: Sergio Rossi

Creative Director: Deborah Ferguson

Photography: Takahiro Ogawa

Fashion: Paul Frederick @ See Management

Interview by Sydney Nash

Layout Design: Allie King

Make up: Brigitte Reiss-Andersen @ SWA using Retrouve 

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Hair: Kim Kimble Six K Los Angeles

Manicure: Momo using Chanel Le Vernis @ See Management