How is this movie different from the original? What do you think has changed in our society?
Calmatic (director of White People Can’t Jump): I think with this movie we delved even deeper into the backstory of the characters: where they come from, who they really are, what makes them act the way they do. …?
I think this movie is not necessarily a reflection on the topic of racism in our society. Rather, it is a study of what defines humanity in each of us.
This movie, and because I’m from a rap background, is kind of a “simplification” of the original movie with new elements like the cast and the city of Los Angeles shown in a new light. Anyway, our film was conceived as a tribute to the 1992 film.
Sinqua Walls (Kamal): I think it’s a tribute to the original movie that we’ve updated to better fit our times. Human relationships with all media have changed, the appearance of social networks… We live in a completely different society since 1992, when I was seven years old, and all this seems far away to me now.
What can you tell us about this remake?
Calmatic: This is a film that opens up a dialogue between people of different backgrounds and cultures. As our African-American hero says, he’s tired of being told that all white people are guilty of racism.
On the contrary, how can we overcome the clichés and start talking again with the people of our time? What are the priorities that face us and that we must all face together? Upon arrival we will have to re-communicate all together to find solutions to the various problems we face.
Teyana Taylor (Iman): This is a film about love, the different colors and shades of love. This is a movie about the love you can feel for someone, be it your partner, your child, your spouse, etc.
This is a movie that shows that team spirit is the most important thing in the world. If you can accomplish this much with two hands, imagine what you can accomplish with six, eight, or even ten pairs of hands! Unity is strength and that’s what we wanted to talk about through this film. You can’t achieve anything in life alone, but together you can move mountains.
What was the biggest challenge in making this film?
Calmatic: Perhaps we will revisit a film that everyone still remembers and create something different and at the same time familiar to the audience. It wasn’t easy to make a movie that could both be like us and play a kind of homage to the original movie.
Los Angeles is the heart of this film; What does this city represent to you?
Sinqua Wall: So many movies have been shot in New York, but here we present Los Angeles in a new light and from a never-seen-before angle. LA is a really lively and energetic city. This is what we wanted to show on screen. I’m very proud to show LA as a city that isn’t just the “made in Hollywood” cliché that we have. It’s a city full of normal people who work hard and try to make their dreams come true.
Calmatic: Los Angeles is my whole life, especially since I was born here. It is an honor to show a different side of Los Angeles and further showcase my beloved city. It is truly a privilege for me to paint Los Angeles like this. It’s almost a duty as a filmmaker living in Los Angeles. LA is the ball!
You can watch “White People Can’t Jump” on Disney+.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
