❯
ALAMY
very much a country that embraces redeinition
of oneself. That’s what happened when people
came through Ellis Island. We traded in our
names, giving up ones that relected our culture
in order to become a part of the American
dream. And you’re embraced because of that.
In America, you can be anyone you want to be.
But then who are you? That’s always the conlict
with our political structure. People vote against
their own interests because we don’t know
whoweare.You’re a very good illustration of the
American dream. You grew up very poor
and now you’re extremely successful. As
a child, what made you believe being an
actor was something you could do?
Unless you grew up poor, you don’t know how
hard it is. It is brutal on your psyche. It’s traumatic.
When you’re poor you don’t have a choice; you
have to either dream big or not at all. There’s no
middle ground. You can’t be passive about your
future. You’ve got to be passionate and very clear.
A therapist once told me, “Viola, you’ve always
had drive. Drive has never been your problem.”Why do you think it’s happening now?
A lot of people would say it’s partly a response
to ‘Oscars So White’. It’s the Obama effect. Who
knows? I think America is changing. Or America
is just being revealed for what it’s always been:
a melting pot of different cultures, of people who
are interracial, people who want to see their own
images on the screen, who are desperate for it.
People need the volume of different narratives.
The audience is changing.How do you square that progress with
what’s happening in America more
generally? Trump represents the opposite
of multiculturalism.
To almost shy away from the political answer, but
not to shy away from it, I’m going to answer it
like an artist. DuringDoubt,[the writer]
John Patrick Shanley said a lot of the nuns who
were his teachers in Catholic school came to
see the play. They loved it, but they said, “We
weren’t that mean.” I thought that was hysterical
because it’s a known fact that it’s brutal in
Catholic school. People have an inability to see
themselves for who they are. I think America ishaving sex. I wanted to pack a wallop with
Rose. I wanted people to feel like they could
envelop her.With films likeFences,Loving,Moonlight
andHidden Figures, it’s been said this
is one of the best years ever for films
focused on people of colour. What’s your
perspective on that?
That’s absolutely true. And it’s not only ilms
with African Americans in them and about
African American life — it’s actors inally
getting their due. That’s what I really want
people to know, that we’re out there. Look at
Stephen McKinley Henderson [Bono inFences].
He’s been out there for 40 years. He was in
the irst class at Juilliard. This guy has done
hundreds of plays... Taraji P. Henson. Octavia
Spencer. Naomie Harris. These areactors.
These are not just black actors who are
getting attention because of the colour of
their skin. They’re getting attention because
the opportunity has met the preparation.
That’s what’s exhilarating to watch. And
it’s deserving.Clockwise from main:
Davis with Denzel
Washington inFences;
InSuicide Squad(2016);
Alongside Sullivan
Walker inGet Rich Or
Die Tryin’(2005); In
Prisoners (2013).