August 2008 | blackfilm.com | MIRRORS | An Interview with Paula Patton

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MIRRORS
An Interview with Paula Patton
By Wilson Morales

August 7, 2008

In short period of time, Paua Patton has appeared withDenzel Washington (‘Déjà Vu’), Andre Benjamin (‘Idlewild’), and more recentlyKevin Costner (‘Swing Vote’). Her latest role has cast opposite another leadingman, Kiefer Sutherland, TV’s Jack Bauer to some of you. Their latest film,‘Mirrors’ is directed by Alexandre Aje and also features Amy Smart.

'Mirrors' revolves around a security guard(Sutherland) who discovers an evil spirit lurking in the mirrors of anabandoned department store. Patton will play the guard's soon-to-be ex-wife, acoroner who has a hard time believing her husband's claims, at least initially.

Patton recently spoke to blackfilm.com about her role in the film and playing a mom on camera, and her upcoming film with Lee Daniels.

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How was it being in a horror film?

Paula Patton: I have to tell you that it was intense and areally challenging process because horror films get a bad rap in some respectbecause of the genre and it’s not always taken seriously but when you thinkabout what’s happening with horror films, it’s crazy. I’m battling to save mychild and people are trying to kill me and my husband may going crazy but he’snot. Everyday you are dealing with a traumatic experience and as an actor, ifyou are taking it seriously, you want to be stressful to the situation as muchas possible. It’s actually quite a challenge.

What role do you play in the film?

PP: I play Kiefer Sutherland's estranged wife and we havetwo children together and he is battling alcoholism. He's arecoveringalcoholic in the movie and we are struggling in our marriage. He doesn't livein the house anymore and he's taking this medication and life is about to gocrazy for him. He starts seeing things in mirrors.

You finally get to play a mother in a film?

PP: I do. I do. I'm a mom and a coroner. I did a littleresearch. I went downtown LA to the coroner's office and did some researchthere. Being a coroner also changes your personality. I met this interestingman who didn’t think his job affected who he was but when I dug a littledeeper, I found that he was more of a pacifist because he had seen so muchsenseless death. If someone cut in front of him in a line, he would let it go. Hewas also hyper aware of his surroundings of when things could occur. I tried totake that with me into the film. As for playing a mom, I reallyinterviewed my mom a lot. I asked her about this and I asked her about that.I'm not a mom and I wanted the best perspective which is her.

One never knows when their films are coming out, and it'ssuch a blessing for you that you have two films out this month with this oneand 'Swing Vote' already in theaters. How do you prepare to market both filmswhen the media comes calling?

PP: I just take it one day at a time because if you thinkabout the whole picture of it, it could be overwhelming so I try to take it oneday at a time, as it comes. Today I’m just focused on today and tomorrow isanother day. It’s the only way I’ll get through it. A few years back I was inacting class begging for any kind of role, so it’s one step at a time.

What keeps you grounded?

PP: I go home to my family. I go home to my husband and mymom. If I don’t have a job, then my mom is out asking me to work at Starbucksor something. She keeps me very grounded. I think I’m doing okay for now.

What’s next for you?

PP: I have a movie called ‘Push’ with Lee Daniels, whoproduced ‘Monster’s Ball’ and directed ‘Shadowboxer’ and produced ‘TheWoodsman’. He’s a great filmmaker and the film is based on a novel with thesame name. A woman named Sapphire wrote it. It’s really an intense drama and Ithink it’s going to be a great film.

What role do you play in the film?

PP: I play the schoolteacher, Ms. Rain. The story revolvesaround a young girl that grew up in Harlem that hasfaced unimaginable abuse and she is severly overweight and has a second childcoming on the way; and the world has forgotten her. She’s been left behind.Somehow she got through the eighth grade and still doesn’t know how to read.She’s befriended by this schoolteacher and together we forge a friendship. Ipush her to keep her will to live and tell her that she can be the best thatshe can be, and she can do more than anyone thought she can do. Although shecan’t read right now, she can go to college. She then pushes me because at onepoint I was in a sad case with my family because I’m a lesbian and my mom hasrejected me. The love that I get from her is replacing that from my mother.It’s a really beautiful friendship.

MIRRORS opens on August 15, 2008

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