The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Teen Wolf: The Movie “The Ending That People Will Want,” Revealed a Cast…

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: The New Queens of Six The Musical Talk Playing The…

      February 1, 2023

      Events

      Elevation Squared: Zooz Group cultivates a one of a kind experience at a…

      February 1, 2023

      Events

      Vine & Vinyl Hosts First Wine Market in Los Angeles

      January 29, 2023

      Film

      Pamela, A Love Story- Pamela Anderson In Her Own Words

      February 3, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Director of ‘Freedom Path’ Brett Smith talks about his career as a…

      February 1, 2023

      Film

      Oscar Nominee Ana de Armas Talks About New Film “Blonde”

      January 30, 2023

      Film

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: The New Queens of Six The Musical Talk Playing The…

      February 1, 2023

      Theater

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      TV

      Interview With Aaron Augenblick

      February 3, 2023

      TV

      EXCLUSIVE: Hugh Dillon Talks Mayor of Kingstown

      February 1, 2023

      TV

      BMF Season 2, Episode 4 Review

      January 30, 2023

      TV

      The Last of Us Season 1, Episode 3 Review

      January 29, 2023

      Entertainment

      Teen Wolf: The Movie “The Ending That People Will Want,” Revealed a Cast…

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      Interview With Aaron Augenblick

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      Pamela, A Love Story- Pamela Anderson In Her Own Words

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      EXCLUSIVE: Hugh Dillon Talks Mayor of Kingstown

      February 1, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Listen: Volaris Shares Stunning Single, “I’m So Weak,” Ahead of Printworks Debut 2/3

      February 3, 2023

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      Music

      Neek Bucks debut album Blessed to the max

      February 3, 2023

      Music

      Listen: Volaris Shares Stunning Single, “I’m So Weak,” Ahead of Printworks Debut 2/3

      February 3, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Lil Yachty ‘Let’s Start Here’ Listening Experience

      January 30, 2023

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Events

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Events

      Thomas Turner Takes Super Bowl Week to Soaring Heights

      January 31, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Lil Yachty ‘Let’s Start Here’ Listening Experience

      January 30, 2023

      Events

      Festive Launch Party at Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant

      January 29, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Interview With James Andrew

      February 3, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Interview With James Andrew

      February 3, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Icon of the Seas’ AquaDome Takes Shape

      January 31, 2023

      Lifestyle

      I Heart Hennessy

      January 31, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
FeaturedFilmThe Latest

Interview with ‘Moonlight’ Stars Trevante Rhodes and Andre Holland

by Reyna Wang October 25, 2016
by Reyna Wang October 25, 2016 0 comment

Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins and based on a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, tells a three-chapter coming of age story about a young black gay man who struggles to come to terms with his identity while growing up in urban Miami during the “War on Drugs” era.

Trevante Rhodes and Andre Holland, who play Chiron (“Black”) and Kevin, the main characters and lovers in the film, talk about their experiences preparing for these roles, why they think that the movie is important, how the movie has impacted audiences, and what they love about being black men.

Because the story is so intersectional in terms of socioeconomic background, rights, sexuality, how did you guys prepare for these roles?

Andre: It was really important to me that I make sure I understood what the place was, Miami, so I went there a couple weeks early, spent some time in the housing project that the story takes place in. Tarell’s plays deal with a lot of the same things: identity, community, family, masculinity, sexuality, and so being really familiar with his plays helped me a lot to prepare. Fortunately, neither of us had the opportunity to meet the younger versions of ourselves. That’s something I think we both wanted to do, but Barry was adamantly against it, so a lot of it just involved trust, just trusting that Barry was going to take care of us, which he did.

When you watch the film, do you connect to the younger self on the screen?

Trevante: One million percent. I think Alex is so similar to what I used to be and the way I used to look. Other than some change in the nose, when I watched the film for the first time, it was jarring because I was like, “What? This is like a reincarnation of myself.” And then I had that taller, gangly stage in my life when I was skinny and everything, so the whole thing was just a surreal moment, so absolutely.

Why do you feel that this film is important?

Andre: So many reasons. Right now, we’re living in the Black Lives Matter era. It’s very difficult for me to understand how we can say Black Lives Matter and push for equality and social justice but at the same time, within our own community, marginalize a whole other section of who we are. It feels unfair and unkind and not right. So, one of the reasons I think this movie is important is because it puts this story, the gay black experience, front and center. In the talk last night, one of the people in the audience said, you know, it’s not about AIDS. It’s not about people in enormous crises. It’s just about people being in love with each other and trying to work shit out. This person said also that somehow the white queer narrative has been able to move on from the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic and become about something else, whereas the black queer narrative hasn’t been able to do that yet, so I hope that this movie helps to push that forward.

I watched your work in The Knick and also in Selma. This role is very different from those characters. How do you prepare for going into a role that is different from or similar to those roles?

Andre: I mean I have my own sort of actor process: asking myself a lot of questions and then trying to find answers for those questions, questions where you end up with, like, a stack of writing trying to figure these things out, and before you know it, you’ve created a life. Going into this one, the big thing to me that I kind of came to was shame and guilt. I feel like that’s really what was driving Kevin, you know, that moment in the middle chapter when he hurts “Black,” Chiron, when he hits him. I think he’s been living with the guilt of that for a long, long time. And when he shows up, I think that’s what he’s trying to get to the bottom of. It’s just like, “Is there a way for us to fix that or start again,” or “Are you okay?” or “Can you come out and join me in a more peaceful, authentic place?” So that was a big part of it. And then of course the other stuff: spending time in Miami, trying to understand what the accent is, trying to figure out how these people dress, listening to a lot of music. Tarell took me around the projects for a couple of days, and I was like, “Bruh.”

How different for you guys have white versus black people responded to the movie?

Trevante: It hasn’t been different to me. That’s what’s been amazing. It hasn’t been different at all, which is the most insane thing in the world to me, because again, it speaks to literally everyone no matter your age, sexual orientation, race, which is insane because it is a very, very, very specific story about a specific person, but in that becomes this universal thing that any and everyone can relate to. Anyone can see a bit of themselves in Chiron or see a bit of Chiron in themselves. It’s just been incredible.

Andre: I mean, that’s Barry’s genius, man. He stays away from trying to make broad strokes and generalizations about culture or stereotypical things. He just gets very, very, very specific about who these people are, in the way that Shakespeare makes Hamlet set in Denmark in a castle called Elsinore, and yet we all understand what Hamlet’s journey was but it’s about a Danish dude. But he makes it about a brother from urban Miami, and because of that, older white people are coming up to us every day saying, “Oh my god, I remember what it was like to be bullied when I was in school in Tulsa,” or “I lost the person I was in love with, we got disconnected,” or whatnot. Everybody has a point of access, which is the magic of this movie I think.

Can I ask you guys to finish this sentence? “What I love about being a black man is….”

Trevante: To be honest, I like being underestimated. I like the fact that I get to kind of show people certain sides of us as a people that people don’t really naturally believe that we have or can do or can be. I know that’s kind of belittling our race in a sense, but the society is brought up to think that we’re these dumb or lesser kind of people, and I like to be a part of a discussion that proves to combat that. I love the fact that I get to be around you guys who are all doing the same thing, helping to progress and to push us forward as a people.

Andre: I think the first thing that comes to mind is what’s in the blood of us as a people. What I mean is, you know, when I hear our music, when I hear the drums, when I hear the drums in this movie, that connects to something in me that’s also in my mama and my daddy, that’s also in my grandmom and my granddaddy and so on and so on and so on. When I find myself in tricky spots, I can remember that drum beat, and I know that it’s going to be alright because it’s been alright for a long goddamn time. It’s in the blood. You can’t take it away. It’s in us. We’re beautiful. And can’t nobody say nothing about it. That’s what I love.

Photo by IMDB

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Andre HollandBarry JenkinsBlack Lives MatterinterviewMoonlightTrevante Rhodes
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Reyna Wang

previous post
Vivica Fox Attends The Foundation For Letters Fall Benefit
next post
Film Review: ‘King Cobra’

Related Posts

Teen Wolf: The Movie “The Ending That People...

February 3, 2023

Neek Bucks debut album Blessed to the max

February 3, 2023

Interview With James Andrew

February 3, 2023

Interview With Aaron Augenblick

February 3, 2023

Pamela, A Love Story- Pamela Anderson In Her...

February 3, 2023

On The Scene: The New Queens of Six...

February 1, 2023

Exclusive: Director of ‘Freedom Path’ Brett Smith talks...

February 1, 2023

On The Scene: Lil Yachty ‘Let’s Start Here’...

January 30, 2023

Oscar Nominee Ana de Armas Talks About New...

January 30, 2023

Remember This: A one man film telling a...

January 28, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Digital Cover No. 16

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

The legendary @questlove DJing at @whitneymuseum’s legendary #artparty 2023, with drinks by @casadragones
We made it over to the @whitneymuseum’s annual # We made it over to the @whitneymuseum’s annual #ArtParty, sponsored by @nililotan and @reviveskincare. Guests included @candacebushnell, @prettyboyeffect, @ashleygraham, @rebeccahall @blakeabbie, and many others. The evening benefits The Whitney’s venerable Independent Study Program.
Delicious food from @gordonramsayfishandchips' lau Delicious food from @gordonramsayfishandchips' launch party!
We attended @lilyachty’s #LetsStartHere listenin We attended @lilyachty’s #LetsStartHere listening earlier this week!

Thank you @courtneycl for having us 🙏🏽
Thank you @didiermorais & @vitalversatility for th Thank you @didiermorais & @vitalversatility for this opportunity!

Interview with @cmgthelabel artist @big_boogie_music on the way!
Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm! @champ Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm!

@champagnepapi live at #TheApollo along with #LilUzi, @21savage #Dipset 

Covered by @bolly.hood
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Teen Wolf: The Movie “The Ending That People Will Want,” Revealed a Cast…

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: The New Queens of Six The Musical Talk Playing The…

      February 1, 2023

      Events

      Elevation Squared: Zooz Group cultivates a one of a kind experience at a…

      February 1, 2023

      Events

      Vine & Vinyl Hosts First Wine Market in Los Angeles

      January 29, 2023

      Film

      Pamela, A Love Story- Pamela Anderson In Her Own Words

      February 3, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Director of ‘Freedom Path’ Brett Smith talks about his career as a…

      February 1, 2023

      Film

      Oscar Nominee Ana de Armas Talks About New Film “Blonde”

      January 30, 2023

      Film

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: The New Queens of Six The Musical Talk Playing The…

      February 1, 2023

      Theater

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      TV

      Interview With Aaron Augenblick

      February 3, 2023

      TV

      EXCLUSIVE: Hugh Dillon Talks Mayor of Kingstown

      February 1, 2023

      TV

      BMF Season 2, Episode 4 Review

      January 30, 2023

      TV

      The Last of Us Season 1, Episode 3 Review

      January 29, 2023

      Entertainment

      Teen Wolf: The Movie “The Ending That People Will Want,” Revealed a Cast…

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      Interview With Aaron Augenblick

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      Pamela, A Love Story- Pamela Anderson In Her Own Words

      February 3, 2023

      Entertainment

      EXCLUSIVE: Hugh Dillon Talks Mayor of Kingstown

      February 1, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Listen: Volaris Shares Stunning Single, “I’m So Weak,” Ahead of Printworks Debut 2/3

      February 3, 2023

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      Music

      Neek Bucks debut album Blessed to the max

      February 3, 2023

      Music

      Listen: Volaris Shares Stunning Single, “I’m So Weak,” Ahead of Printworks Debut 2/3

      February 3, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Lil Yachty ‘Let’s Start Here’ Listening Experience

      January 30, 2023

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Events

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Events

      Thomas Turner Takes Super Bowl Week to Soaring Heights

      January 31, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Lil Yachty ‘Let’s Start Here’ Listening Experience

      January 30, 2023

      Events

      Festive Launch Party at Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant

      January 29, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Interview With James Andrew

      February 3, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Long Island Gallery Showcases Bellospirito’s Abstract Art

      February 3, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Interview With James Andrew

      February 3, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Icon of the Seas’ AquaDome Takes Shape

      January 31, 2023

      Lifestyle

      I Heart Hennessy

      January 31, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch