On April 28, The Knockturnal was on the scene for the “MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS” premiere presented by Ruffino Wines at The London West Hollywood.
From the film: Selma Blair, Sharon Stone, Mira Sorvino, Ashanti, Gilles Marini, Christopher Backus, Natalie Burn, Quinton Aaron, Stephanie Shamie, Dave Baez, Liana Mendoza, Alexandra Daniels, David Kloehr, director Paul Duddridge, producers Danielle James, Amy Williams and Mary Aloe walked the red carpet.
Additional celebrity guests Frances Fisher, Aleksa Palladino, Katherine McNamara, Kayla Maisonet, Aubrey Miller, Sky Nellor, Tanya Mityushina, Natalie Pack, Gemma Vence, Laura James, Courtney Sixx and Andrea Boccaletti.
In the heartwarming film, photographer Rigby Gray captures uplifting stories of motherhood, inspiring a decision even she wouldn’t expect.
Mom is still your manager?
Ashanti: Yes. Momager.
You produced this, is this a new territory for you?
Ashanti: It is, especially for film. I EP-ed something a while back with ABC family years, years ago, but this is the first film, so I’m really excited about this.
You also have your original music in this as well, can you tell us about that?
Ashanti: It’s actually one song off of my album, The Declaration. It’s called “Mother” so it fits perfectly.
I love The Declaration.
Ashanti: I wrote it with Babyface, so it was really, really awesome to have it in the movie.
What was it like being a female and getting to step behind the camera, why this is such a hot topic right now?
Ashanti: It was awesome. A wonderful opportunity. I was very honored to be able to work with such an amazing cast and, you know, girl power.
Do you have any special memories of mother’s day, something really, really special that you did?
Ashanti: I would say my fondest memory, one of the best mother’s day gift is, I was 17, I moved to Atlanta and my mom thought I wasn’t going to be able to see her for mother’s day because I didn’t have the money to fly back and forth. I called her and I’m like, “Mom, happy Mothers day. I love you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there,” and I was actually calling from my cellphone in the front yard and she didn’t know. She opened the door and she was balling crying, so it was really cool.
You’re really close with your sister as well.
Ashanti: Yeah, I love my sister so much.
I have a sister who is a little bit younger than me. You don’t have any children of you own but I know sometimes when you have a younger sibling it’s like helping to raise them as well. Does that make you want to have children of your own someday?
Ashanti: I’m having a whole fort.
What about new music, we love you as an artist.
Ashanti: Absolutely. Absolutely excited about the new album. I’ve been working really hard. Just really, really excited about the new stuff to come.
You play a single new mom.
Selma Blair: I do. Really, the whole movie that I did all takes place before I actually have this baby except for like, one little scene at the end. She don’t know what it is yet to be exhausted.
You actually do know now?
Selma Blair: I do. Being a mother and having a son. Now that my son totally sleeps through the night, I have a dog that’s up all night. She’s just a night owl. I’m like, this is a joke. This is crazy, but I love her to death.
Are you excited for mother’s day?
Selma Blair: I’m a mom and looking forward to Mother’s Day and my mother’s still alive and I have to remember to do something for her for Mother’s Day. I sent her this trailer, so I’m like, this is for you, Mom.
You’ve been in the industry for so long now. You’ve got a chance to do so many different kinds of roles. Is there anything out there right now that you haven’t done that you want to tackle in your career?
Selma Blair: Oh, I mean, there’s everything. I feel like I haven’t really done everything yet. I’ve always kind of, dabbled in something, but I would so genuinely love to do a real period piece and really get to act … To not do something so current. You know, really transform.
Are you a fan of any of the shows that are out now? Game of Thrones, any of those?
Selma Blair: No, I’m going to watch Game of Thrones. I’m going to binge watch it. I’m going to start this weekend. I’ve been putting it off and putting it off to have something to look forward to, but I will.
Tell us about your role.
Gilles Marini: It’s interesting. It’s interesting. Actually, I was full-on shooting a TV show, when I got the call, and as soon as they told me the concept of it, first of all, I was supposed to play another part, but it was so much longer, I really, I was not able to do it. The director and the producers, they really wanted me to part of that incredible movie … for this other part, and I said, “Yes,” right away. It’s about family, it’s about moms, about the most important people in the entire Universe. That was a no-brainer. I had to do it. I play a manager and something is happening between Selma’s character and mine … and then from there a lot of things go down. It’s just one of those movies that a lot of people love.
Mother’s Day’s around the corner. Do you have big plans for spoiling your wife?
Gilles Marini: The wife always, she’s right next to me, she’s at reach, but my Mom is in Europe, in France, so it’s a bit difficult for me to do anything with her, but yeah, I’m sure going to to go do something with my wife. We do a little bit of Mother’s Day every day at home, it’s all about my wife.
You guys have any fun traditions with the kids for Mother’s Day?
Gilles Marini: Yeah, they always make up stuff in school, except George now is 17, so I don’t think they make them do anything in school anymore.
Does he borrow money from you to buy her something then?
Gilles Marini: No, and I think he’s got his own thing going. Actually fun fact, I borrowed his car to come here tonight. That’s becoming very sad … so I didn’t want to come down with a truck, and my other car is at the shop; so I said “George, I’m sorry … ” while he’s playing a game and finishing homework, “Can I take your car tonight?” He’s like,”Yeah, dad, no problem. I put some gas and it’s clean.” That’s what he’s told me.
Did he give you any specifics, like, “Be easy on it,” or, “Don’t get any scratches?”
Gilles Marini: No, he’s not one of those kids. He’s like, “No problem,” so I showed up with this pimped-out … Yes, it’s definitely a kid’s car. It’s a Dodge Challenger, but it’s tricked out. It’s very black, dark, and it’s huge wheels. It’s like Snoop Dogg just arrived. I love, Snoop Dogg, don’t get me wrong. It’s just like, “Yeah, I don’t fit this.”
Did you get a chance to check out Selma’s performance in The People v. O. J. Simpson? She’s getting a lot of great reviews.
Gilles Marini: I love her. She’s phenomenal. I hope she’s getting a nomination from it. She’s so down to earth. You’re seeing Selma right now on the carpet, and she’s all beautiful, like in real life, it’s all about her son. She’s exudes pure kindness. I really had a great time with her. I was really star-struck. It was, “Oh, my God, I’m going to work with Selma Blair. This is going to happen.” My wife was like, “Uh-oh.”
The film hits theaters May 6.
[slideshow]Chasity Saunders contributed reporting.