JUST WRIGHT | An Interview with Director Sanaa Hamri

May 10th, 2010
By Wilson Morales

With ‘Something New’ and ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2’ among her film credits, director Sanaa Hamri’s latest film, ‘Just Wright,’ involves another romantic comedy shown from a female’s point of view.

Queen Latifah stars as Leslie Wright, a physical therapist who stumbles upon love when caring for her latest client, NBA player Scott McKnight (played by Common). After going out on many dates, and coming home depressed, has she finally found Mr. Right?

Hamri not only worked behind the director’s chair, but with her background in music, having done numerous music videos, added Prince’s former cohorts, Wendy and Lisa, to compose the music for the film.

In speaking with Blackfilm,com, the Moroccan native spoke about her with Queen Latifah and being hands-on with the music of the film.

How was working with Queen Latifah when she is the star and producer of the film? Sanaa Hamri: Queen Latifah is so creative and collaborative, she knew how to switch off the producer hat on set and just be the actor, which I think is an amazing thing. There are times I had to approach her as a producer and we would find out a good time to speak because when you are in your character, you don’t take the actor out and start talking about shots. We were pretty much in sync throughout the whole shoot.

Common has played small roles on films to date. What made you think he and Queen Latifah would look good on-screen together?

SH: I knew Common from over ten years ago. I’ve worked with him. I did a music video for him called ‘Come Close’ with Mary J. Blige. I just knew him well. I knew that it was going to work. Knowing Queen Latifah, I also knew that she knew him and that they would be comfortable with each other. With romantic comedies, it’s so important to have the two actors be comfortable with each other. I knew that they had a mutual liking towards each other to start with. I also knew Common outside his supporting roles. There are not many roles in Hollywood for a good looking African American actors and he was playing gangsters roles so far. I knew him outside that persona. He’s Scott McKnight. He very much inspired the character for me.

Why not anyone 6’7 or taller?

SH: First, Common is six feet and he plays a point guard. In basketball, point guards are not the tallest, and they are usually his size. From height to size, he fits the description.

Is this a sports film disguised as a romantic comedy or vice-versa? SH: This is a romantic comedy. It’s a romance. It’s a love story that has a sports element. I tried not to go too sporty with the film because that wasn’t the point of the movie. The point of the film is this character, Leslie Wright, who is a regular woman who lives in New Jersey. She bought a fix-her-upper and trying to make her together. I think all women of ethnicity can relate to that. There are so many roles out there where you see these women who do not represent what most people look like or going through. This movie is about showing organic life and a regular love story.

How was working with the some of the cast, some who are acting for the first time like the basketball players?

SH: All of the NBA players in the film were amazing. They took direction well, which I realize because they are used to being coached all the time. Anything I wanted and they were like, “No problem. We’ll do it again.” They hung out with us. Dwight Howard was charming and fun. Dwayne Wade was so strong and thoughtful. Rashad Lewis, Bobby Simmons, and others were great. I loved them all. It was fun.

How did you get the New Jersey Nets to cooperate? SH: I don’t think it was hard for them because the character and Queen Latifah is from Jersey. The film was always based around reality. It wouldn’t have made if she lived in Jersey and she had another team. The team is proud of being from the state and Queen Latifah is. Most of your films so far tend to be female driven. Is this the pattern you look to approach? SH: I just like movies that are entertaining and have substance. This film is two fold. It’s Leslie Wright’s story, but there’s a lot of Scott McKnight’s background brought out as well. I like movies that I can relate to and that I will enjoy.

What’s the state of having more female directors, female producers and so on? Do you see an upward trend?

SH: I think there are more women producing or executive producing at studios and being in that power position, but in terms of directing, no. It’s the same small pool that’s continuing to work. I don’t know why that is. To me, there needs to be more people from different backgrounds and different perspectives doing filmmaking, male or female. I’m from Morocco, North Africa. I came here for college. I had a scholarship and I bring all that with me into my work. It’s not only what I’m about but a part of it, and I feel there needs to be people with different perspectives.

Since they are mostly associated with Prince, for whom you have done several videos for, how was working with musicians Wendy and Lisa in this film? SH: I love Wendy (Melvoin) and Lisa (Coleman). They did another movie for me as well, ‘Something New.’ I met them through Prince and because I’ve worked with him a lot, and we know each other really well, I knew that I would be very hands on musically. I do have that music background. That’s why I used them in the first place. I really like them and their music, and for the first film, there was a lot of collaboration. I felt that they understood my sensibility, which is very similar to his as well. That’s why I brought them on to this film too. Do you call everyone you want to be in the film musically, or do you wait until you to see the cut of the film and then add the music? SH: My editor, Melissa Kent is very involved in the music. When she puts in the music, it guides me and I’ll look at it and know what works and what doesn’t work. I usually let her put stuff together because she always surprises me. From there, I’ll know who to use. On my last film I used film composer Rachel Portman, who is just amazing. Melissa suggested her when she realized that all the music I love is from her catalogue.

What do you want to do next?

SH: I would love to do a musical, more like a ‘Chicago’ or ‘Moulin Rouge,’ but on the (Bob) Fosse vibe.

JUST WRIGHT OPENS ON MAY 14, 2010