Daniel Caloua (more or less, not so much) laughs “No”: “It has to be experienced and not described”

“Must be experienced and atypical.”

It was Daniel Caluya’s heartfelt response to Lil Rell Hower’s request that he be reprimanded for something for his upcoming film. Not., the latest mysterious junction of Jordan Peel’s mind. two go outside The stars gathered again Thursday night at Universal Cinema AMC for an exclusive CultureWon Hollywood talk at CityWalk Hollywood, a conference dedicated to the creativity of color.

The Oscar winner usually has no problem when asked by curious friends and acquaintances for details about Peel’s film, as the filmmaker’s mystery films are actually the opposite of a simple synopsis. “It’s not hard because it’s hard to describe,” he said, citing his groundbreaking project as an example. “Oh, I met a girl, I go to her house and I have to leave her house.”

Anything Kalouya could say was Not., filmed on a proprietary Imax 15/65mm camera and released in theaters on July 22, is the story of a brother (OJ by Kaluuya) and sister (Em by Keke Palmer) who rediscover their relationship while caring for their horse. a dead father. Exercise farm in the Santa Clarita Valley (production entry in Agua Dulce). “They are alienated. He’s frustrated with her; He’s tired of it,” he said early on in their relationship. “But it’s a connection where they’re right next to each other, no matter how stupid that might be.”

The exact nature of the absurdity won’t be known until the film is released, but Kalouya was delighted to admire its constellation, which Hower likened to Sam Devi Jr. for being able to wear so many hats: acting, music, hosting. – Very good. “Keke is so diverse as an artist, he’s almost old school,” praised the comedian.

“Keke is a star,” agreed Kalouya and added. Not. “Shows the full range of Keke-nes.”

“It’s amazing to work with someone who is so energetic,” he said. “On nights when you don’t want to, I squeeze the espresso beans and it works.”

The energy contrast was processed for characterization because OJ is the most “inner” character Caloua has ever played. “He’s still, very calm,” he said. “Many of my other characters are real because they hide chaos in them, but they’re actually silent.”

Kaloua spent three and a half weeks prepping for the role while visiting ranches and rehearsing – Hower joked that Not. would join django released, saddles on fire and mario van peebles to possess In the movie’s little law where blacks are on horseback, but it was easy to say “yes” to Piel to another movie.

“This is really a collaboration,” he said, noting that they both have experience in improvisation. “You do lines on set and if it doesn’t work, we just draw it, it’s nothing personal. We know what the intention is and we may find it more interesting. Working this way was interesting again. I missed you. “

Kaloua and Haver also remembered attending the 2021 Oscars, a ceremony that took place after a nearly year-long shutdown caused by the pandemic, where the former won the Best Supporting Actor award for his supporting role. Judas and the Black Messiah And the latter featured a memorable segment featuring Calouya, which culminated with Glenn Close getting to do “and Goose”. In the segment where Questlove sang songs from cult films by black artists, Hauri called him “the blackest Oscar”.

“The moment we were with you, we were there as ourselves, that is also a victory,” Kaloua said.

They also spoke specifically about what it means to be directed by black filmmakers. Hower asked Kalouya if he had purposely worked only with black directors: Pile, javi pantherRyan Kugler, widowsSteve McQueen, queen and skinnyMelina Matsukas and of JudahShaka King, with the latter responding that it was more accidental than intentional or accidental.

“I just wanted to play with three-dimensional people. No matter how big or small, it meant the evolution of an arc character, shepherd or master. “When I ask, you ask to be in the spotlight, and it happened,” Kaloua said, adding, “I don’t think people look at Timothy Shalame or Nicole Kidman and do that. Do you only work with whites? I’m black, brother. I simply say, “What is my truth? What do I mean, what do I mean to someone?

Hower backed off a little: “Let me play devil’s advocate. Artists want to do their best art, but because of the system setup, I think sometimes you have to have a purpose. Few black directors have the opportunity or the budget. go outside there was little budget [$4.5 million]. Most black directors make the most of the lower budget elements, and then we look at that larger budget. [by white directors] “It’s one of the best movies you’ve ever seen.”

Kaloua disagreed, and the conversation was later extended, emphasizing that black leadership seeks to create more behind-the-scenes work for black artists and also allows them to express their art unfettered, with Hower citing Pele and Isa Rae. Just two examples.

For his part, Kaluuya is the producer (and executive producer of Peele) of Satire. Call Jesus. save your soulWhich premiered at Sundance this year and opens in theaters on September 2, and just finished a play in London two weeks ago on its dystopian drama, Netflix. ᲡKitchen, which he wrote with Joe Murtag. Kalouya has been working on the script for nearly a decade, attending the Sundance Script Lab in 2016 and working on the script over the weekend. go outside footage.

It works to “get people in the game,” he said. “We need more black producers who employ people, and when there are problems, you understand them and you can translate them and follow them creatively. They don’t need to change the code. I’ve heard stories of talented people saying, ‘I compromised and gave up,’ and then they gave up on the game and broke my heart.”