Im with these beautiful men, she says.
Theyre like brothers to me.
She is steadfast in finding such people.
Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece and John David Washington as Boy Willie in ‘The Piano Lesson’David Lee/Netflix
The streamer will launch the film on its service November 22.
Six weeks on set with something thats so rigorous and yet loving.
Thats hard-pressed to find.
From left: ‘The Piano Lesson’ stars John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler with directorMalcolm WashingtonMichael Buckner for Deadline
Actors often make eye-rolling declarations about how wonderful it was to work with such and such.
And more often than not, its just guff.
Theres something so compelling about her as an artist.
Watching her as Berniece inThe Piano Lessonis a case in point.
Their great-grandfather carved scenes from the family history into the musical instrument.
But Boy Willie drives up from Mississippi to claim it.
Their ancestors live on in that piano.
Its haunted, Deadwlyer explains.
It belongs in the family.
Cant deny that I have been haunted too, by watchingThe Piano Lesson.
Deadwylers not at all surprised because, she says, thats what spirits do.
We are just echoes, I think, in material form.
And if we so choose to deal, then that information will come through.
If we do not, she warns, I feel like theres a tension and stagnant chaos occurs.
And its harrowing not to grow.
But I think we are living with them, the spirits, if we know it or not.
There are daily conversations in my life, and others as well.
So Berenice and Boy Willie are two people who are haunted, she adds.
Awakens us as well.
Deadwyler points out that its not just the younger scions inThe Piano Lessonwho have witnessed ghosts.
Doaker has communicated with them too, but he doesnt admit it outwardly at first.
I dont know if the reverence is there the way that it used to be.
Which brings her to a matter of grave concern.
And so it was hard love.
Very, very tough love.
Extremely strict, informed by the violence of the West and of enslavement.
It fascinates both of us that such conversations can spring from cinematic art.
Thats what theyre supposed to do, Deadwyler reasons.
Were supposed to have rich conversation after we witness something.
She took the photos in and, along with others, its in the DNA of movie.
Malcolm Washington also set the tone with candles and music, from Stevie Wonder to contemporary alternative instrumentals.
He brings ease, she says of the director.
He brings an allowance for the fullness of yourself.
Its hard to work your best if your nervous system is out of whack.
And so just someone creating space for you to be comfortable, to explore all aspects of you.
Were meeting in London, and Deadwyler is wearing jeans and a comfortable sweater.
She has discarded the designer frocks and dazzling gems I often see her in at premieres and swanky events.
Honestly, this is me daily.
To be comfortable, she says.
Im a country girl at this point.
Its all about comfort and being ready for anything.
Look, I got to be a little millennial sometimes.
She much prefers to be at home in Atlanta with her 15-year-old son.
Deadwyler feels connected to the land and loves Georgias rich red earth.
I love to be in nature and likes to walk.
Hiking is for other people.
Walking is often done alone, but I walk with ancestors.
They dont walk with me.
They just look at me.
Shes also interested in the birds the cardinals and the blue jays and enjoys communing with them as well.
You just have to learn how to listen to them, and we take it in intuitively.
Theres no room in her life for nightclubbing and being snapped at fancy restaurants.
All of this she attributes to success happening at this specific time in my life.
I dont know what it would have been if I were 20, or 30, for that matter.
So I came into the system of the film industry a hardcore adult.
Her work has been steady, whether on stage, on screen or doing performance art on the street.
Along with others, I was crestfallen when she was not nominated for a Best Actress Oscar forTill.
Its never about the awards, Deadwyler says.
People can think thats bullshit or not, thats fine.
The experience withThe Piano Lessonis different from being inTill, because this is hyper-ensemble.
Im with these beautiful men who are brothers to me.
Plus, its campaigning on a supporting platform thats not as intense.
And she feels that shes moving with a particular intentional need for joy while the world is chaotic.
Her own life is not chaotic, however.
Although she has been shooting movies, often back-to-back, she feels that she has balance in her life.
AfterThe Piano Lessonthe actor worked with director R.T. Thorne on the post-apocalyptic dramaForty Acres.
That was followed by Jaume Collet-Serras crime thrillerCarry Onwith Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman.
After that she shotThe Woman in the Yard, again with Collet-Serra.
Its a psychological horror movie that she executive produced.
He died very young.
They only had a short 10 years together.
The films about them and the way in which she carried and continues to carry his legacy.
She scoffs when I ask in my nice English way whether she and Zelma had tea together.
You think were going to have tea?
No, we aint had no tea.
We had some spirits!
Actually, they had some wine.
Something for the blood.
Ive met a few people, is all that shell say.
