“Get Out” was honored with Best Directorial Debut: Jordan Peele, Best Ensemble and Top Film on Tuesday evening at the 2018 National Board of Review Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street.
We spoke with two of the film’s stars on the red carpet. Check out our interviews below!
Stephen Root
What was it like working with Jordan?
Stephen Root: It was such a short shoot. It was a 23-day shoot. I think I was there four days. But we’ve known each other for a while, so it was a nice, easy transition, and we just had a blast. Everybody had a blast. It was like working with friends for me, ’cause I’m buddies with Catherine Keener, and Bradley Whitford and I had done three movies in a row, so just working with friends. It was fun.
What was your first impression when you read the script?
Stephen Root: Well, I’d read the original ending script. The whole script, I thought, was tremendous, and that’s why I do the work I do now, ’cause it’s all script-based, and wanting to work with actors that you will learn from and get better from. And that was all this.
Daniel Kaluuya is a rising star. Can you speak about working with him?
Stephen Root: A soft-spoken, beautifully mannered, no false note person. I love his work. Love him.
You’re also in the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex. Tell us a little bit about that.
Stephen Root: I was excited to be part of that, because it’s directed by a woman, Mimi Leder, and Felicity Jones is playing Ruth. She’s just phenomenal. Unbelievable. I and Sam Waterston play her Harvard professors in the ’50s, and her justice adversaries in the ’70s. So, I mean, it was a heaven job.
This is an important story, especially right now?
Stephen Root: Absolutely. And I actually have my Ruth Bader Ginsburg pin, but I don’t have it on me.
Tonight is such a unique night here in New York. How are you gonna celebrate?
Stephen Root: I’m just gonna sit back and enjoy one of the oldest awards in New York, and a prestigious one, so we’re really happy to be here.
Betty Gabriel
What does this honor mean to you?
Betty Gabriel: Oh man, it means so much. It’s really exciting. I have no idea what’s in store.
Speak about collaborating with Jordan.
Betty Gabriel: Immediately from the audition, I knew that he was someone that was extremely confident and knew what he wanted his vision to be. So kind though and so just good with speaking with actors, him being an actor as well, performer, I think that helps with him. He’s extremely easy and drops impersonations all the time. It’s great.
Your character was so complex. Can you speak about getting in her head. There were so many layers.
Betty Gabriel: Yes, wow. That’s a question This is heavy. What I tapped into among many things was how I, myself, have been indoctrinated coming up as a young black girl, seeing nothing but images of Disney princesses getting saved by the Disney prince. That was my upbringing and how that affected me as a woman. It’s so much. It’s so loaded. There was a lot to tap into simply by going through this world as a black woman.
Who are you looking forward to meeting tonight?
Betty Gabriel: I’ve already met Tom Hanks, but I’m looking forward to meeting him again.
Director Jordan Peele and stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams and Lil Rel Howery were also in attendance.