André Holland’s Sundance -Romantics “Love, Brooklyn” almost never saw the light of day.
The actor and producer talked about the long process to find funding for the black -led project from director Rachael Holder and writer Paul Zimmerman and shared in Thewraps Sundance Studio presented by World Hyatt that “we knocked on all doors and made all the pitch,” but nothing got stuck .
“We had this script and were looking for all the places that everyone goes to get funding,” Holland told Thewrap Executive Editor Adam Chitwood. “People just, I think, did not share the vision. They didn’t really see the value, but that is often the case. “
Holland said it wasn’t until he talked to his former “The Knick” director, Steven Soderbergh, who soon signed as an executive producer, that things became moving with the production for the film.
“Steven and I started a relationship for many, many years ago. We worked with ‘The Knick’ together and he was and is such an incredible collaborator. He is so generous with his time, with his advice, ”explained the Netherlands. “I sat down with Steven one day, and we had only done this movie, ‘High Flying Bird,’ together a few years before, and he said, ‘What are you up to?’ And I told him the story of this and he said, “Let me read it.” I sent it to him and we met a few more times, and then he said: ‘I like it.’ He said, “Why don’t you start tomorrow?” And so he put a piece of funding in and through my company I put in some and we got started.
Holland said he is glad that he and his crew went forward even though he met some roadblocks with financing.
“Thankfully, Rachael (see the vision), we all did, and we kept to it,” Holland said. “Then the fun part, who could call friends from, started back during the day and be like,” yo, do you want to make this movie? “And everyone said yes. And these are some of the people I admire most in the world as artists. The fact that you came, it really means the world to me. I think it’s proof of doing things with society and friends . ”
The film, which centers on life three natives in Brooklyn who navigate in their personal and professional lives as their home experiences quickly change, were directed and in her feature film director. The lead role includes Holland, Nicole Behary, Dewanda Wise, Roy Wood Jr., Cassandra Freeman and Cadence Reese.
See Holland’s full interview with Thewrap in the video above.
