Gina Prince-Bythewood Talks Beyond The Lights DVDPosted by Wilson Morales
February 23, 2015
Coming out on February 24, 2015 is the DVD & Blu-ray of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s critically acclaimed film, “Beyond The Lights,” which stars Gugu Mbatha Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Colson “MGK” Baker, Danny Glover, Aisha Hinds, Aml Ameen, Tyler Christopher, and India Jean-Jacques.
Beyond The Lights is the story of Noni Jean (Mbatha-Raw), a hot new artist who has just won a Grammy and is primed for stardom. But the pressures of success compel her to nearly end her life until she is saved by a young police officer named Kaz (Parker). They fall hard for each other, despite the protests of their parents who want each to focus on their own career ambitions. As far as Kaz’s father (Danny Glover) is concerned, his law-and-order work is only the first step towards a future career in politics. Kaz knows what it’s like to be groomed for greatness, and he has a way of looking right through Noni’s camera-ready facade that throws her off her game. But he might be the missing piece to unlock her artistic potential.
For Prince-Bythewood, following her previous films include 2008′s ‘The Secret Life of Bees,’ the well-loved classic 2000 ‘Love and Basketball,’ as well as the 2000 HBO film ‘Disappearing Acts,’ her latest film came out at a time when other films directed by Black females were also in theaters. That’s historic. Not only that, Prince-Bythewood’s home release will include a director’s cut where people can more of her vision than what was on the big screen.
What’s on the Digital release, Blu-ray and DVD that audiences didn’t get to see on the big screen?
Gina Prince-Bythewood: With the HD, you get the director’s cut, which is the R rated version of the film. It’s the same film but ultimately I wanted younger people to be able see it so I made some MPAA trims to be PG-13. The airplane scene, Mexico and sex scenes go a bit further. The BET Awards is edgier as well as the club scene. This is an edgier version of the film and also my favorite line that I had to cut is back in. So I’m very excited about that. It has deleted scenes as well. We did a commentary as well as to why the scenes were cut from the film. It’s some really cool stuff.
From the Toronto Film Festival to Urbanworld to its theatrical release, the film received a lot of promotion, were you happy with its results?
GPB: Well, I’m happy with the film. I’m very proud of the film. It’s a film that was in my head. Of course, I had wished that more people would have seen it. Our expectations were higher than what the results were. The film made its money back. I’m not worried about that. Given the nature of the film, it was a love story with great performances, great music. There was just a bit of a disconnect between the perception of the film, which was unfortunate but that’s the great thing about having a DVD. There’s a ton of audience still out there and the word of mouth is so good and we’re really about the life it will have on DVD. Ultimately, people will discover it. I’d wished it happened in the theater but you want an audience to see the film.
Whether it makes money or not in the theater, you want a film to be remembered. “Love and Basketball” is a film that did well after its theatrical release and it still stands out over time.
GPB: Yes, 14 years later, people are still talking “Love and Basketball,” which is amazing to me and that’s what you want as an artist. That longevity. You just want your work to matter. The response to the film, from those who have seen it, has been so incredible. Not just on an entertainment level, but people are being moved and changed by it. It’s amazing.
This was also a film where it was mostly women behind the camera from its direction, cinematography, music, editing and other areas. Is this something that you would like to continue?
GPB: Absolutely. The thing is that everyone I hired I feel good about what they do. I’m not hiring them because each is a woman. It’s just that these great women haven’t had the opportunity that they should have. Tami Reiker is such a good DP and I feel lucky that I get to work with her and I will always work with her. Terilyn A. Shropshire is an incredible editor. She makes me better. The production designer, wardrobe, hair, makeup, music supervisor and music editor and more created a good vibe on set. We feed off each other. Filmmaking is a great opportunity for me. I’m very laid back on set. I’m not a screamer and people like that as well. In addition to the nature of this film, what Gugu and Nate put out themselves with their performances, the clothes she had to wear, I wanted a maternal vibe on set. I didn’t want a bunch of guys gawking at her when she steps out wearing wearing next to nothing. That was important to me as well.
How much did you do in working with Diane Warren on the Oscar nominated song, “Grateful”?
GPB: I love that the song got nominated. We did the film and I knew I wanted a great end credit song that spoke to the beauty of the character. I met Diane Warren about five years ago. We were honored at the same event and I told her, I was working on a music film and would love to have her write a song. You say that she’s says, “Of course, reach out to me,” but is it ever going to happen? Five years later, the film is finished and she comes to a screening. She went home that night, inspired and wrote this track, called me on the phone, played it for me over the phone, and I got chills. I felt it. For me, it was who do I want to sing it. At that time, I was enamored with Rita Ora. She had a song out that I was really digging and she was also an artist that Gugu and I were looking at in terms of the vibe for Noni. I liked that Rita hadn’t succumbed to the hyper-sexuality like other artists and I felt that was a good way to go. I had a huge hand in the creation of that song. I’m so proud that it got nominated especially because we didn’t have a promotion for it. There was no Oscar campaign for it. It was a great song finding the accolades that it deserves.
Last year was a great year for Black female directors. Does this inspire you to do more?
GPB: Yes, this was a great year and an historic one and it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t talked about more, but the fact that you had three Black female directors directing films is expecting for me. It’s a great thing that should inspire others. It pushes me. I’m a competitive person and you want people to push you to do your best and the fact that we’re supportive as well. It can only help for others to see us and be inspired.
What’s a good reason to pick up “Beyond The Lights” on Blu-ray or DVD?
GPB: Because it’s a very good movie and it’s a love story and there are phenomenal performances. Talked about being snubbed. Gugu gave in two phenomenal performances with this film and “Belle” and there are 180 degrees from each other. She showed incredible range and any other actress would have been exulted. It has great music and it’s a fun movie experience.
Do you have any other projects lined up?
GPB: I’m actually writing a pilot and then I will jump into the next film that I will direct. The characters and story are all in my head. Hopefully, it won’t take four years to make.
What did you learn on this journey from conception to theater to DVD?
GPB: It was such an incredible creative experience. Starting from Reggie and I and having this belief in the project and fighting for it. Then meeting Gugu two years ago and knowing in my gut and my heart that she was Noni despite the fact that she hadn’t done anything before “Belle.” Then getting to do the music and be able to put on screen what was in my head and it doesn’t always happen with a studio. There’s a lot of fighting for your vision and other people trying to impose their thoughts on your film. To be able to look up in the screen and be proud of your work is such a great thing.
