Lynn Whitfield Talks Albany Road, Iconic Roles, No-Makeup Look, Lip Service Experience + More
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Well, what's up this way up with Angela Yee and
leg My friend is in the building, Miss Alina Whitfield
is here about.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Goodbye, Jela. Thank you for having me back. I mean,
we're making this like a habit.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Listen, I love this for me, Okay, But I do
want to say, by the way, I love the fact
that you've been posting on social media.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
I don't know who's doing it, if it's you or not, but.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm being more involved, yes, because with with the shy
and everything, it's so much going on in the world.
I have things I need to say.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Yeah, last time we spoke, you were like, I have
to be more on They keep telling me to post stuff. Yeah,
I love it, like yeah on there and I'm like,
look at Live with Field posted.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
It's getting better, it's getting better.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
More to do but Albany Road.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
This movie is coming out today because this airs today Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, and it's in AMC theaters right.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yeah, select ANC theaters in many cities. I think we're
on one hundred and thirty screens across the country, so
people just need to check can see which one we're in.
They can prop their feet up, have a little cocktail
or soda and you know visit with us.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
You know, I do enjoy.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I'm glad you said that, because I do enjoy the
movie experience now where you can like order drinks and
food from your seat. Yeah, there's a time, yes that,
and this is definitely that type of movie.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Now.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
It did win Best Feature Film at the Martha's Vineyard
African American Film Festival, which is a huge deal, and
I can see why you can't.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
And we want other ones too.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
We want about four the Detroit Black Film Festival. You
guys were were there at the Cambria Love That Hotel, Yes,
the Oak Park Black Film Festival, and the Golden Thumb
Award at Ebertfest.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Yes, yes, that's just some of them.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yes, we want about four for Best Feature and on
the festival circuit so far, and so I want.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
To talk about this.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I saw the comparisons like as a blend of Thelma
and Louise terms of damn It a dash that far ago.
It also kind of reminded me of plane trains and
automobiles a little bit. Yeah, if we know that movie
where it's like you have to get somewhere, but now
you're stuck driving with somebody in the car who maybe
you didn't want to be stuck driving with.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So we are so Renee Alice Goldsbury. People know her
from from Hamilton and you know Grammy Winner, Tony Winner.
We are stuck in the car together. She's an executive,
very ambitious, going to make the presentation of her life.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I respect it, she was, I know you.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Because you're my girl. You have a vision and you
could that's how we have way up with no right exactly.
So it's that kind of vision that she has for herself.
But she ends up having to rent a car with
a woman who is the mother of her ex fiance,
(02:58):
and the mother had something to do, right, So they're
stuck in a car together, and it's like funny it is,
it's like the odd couple. It's two women who really
don't want to speak to each other, don't have much
to say, don't really like each other, but need each other.
And what happens and how that the journey of them
(03:18):
gaining respect for each other and coming into a family
situation and you know, girl table scenes and families getting
get together for a family dinner. It can go up
or down, right or left, but you know, if people
are feeling some kind of way things come up and
(03:40):
come out. So it's all of that stuff all at
the same time.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
You in the beginning of this movie and when people
go to see it in the theaters and select AMC theaters,
you were so rude when we ran into you at
the airport in the in the movie, Oh seeing how
rude you wear it to the people working at the airport.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
But that's how people be at the airport.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
I know, we get so cranky when you're trying to
get somewhere. And that was a snowstorm and she hadn't
gotten the best news, so she's coming to the airport.
And sometimes we just don't think about what we're saying
to other people or care that we're hurting their feelings.
We just need what we need. And so that person, well,
(04:22):
at first, Angela, you know, I like my lashes. I
like a little calmtour not to mention concealer, but this
is so have you ever seen me this?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
I have not, ba you still look good to me.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, you see, angel just knows how to make me
feel like it's all okay.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Until you said that right now, I didn't even really
notice you did it. That's part of it. You still
look like the glamorous mom in that situation.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Oh my goodness. So it was fun for me to play,
but I had to f in the freedom in it,
and Christine Swanson, who's such a wonderful director, would help
me get there. And if I started to get too
haughty Toddy, like, you know, too much like Lady may
or Brandy Webbing and you know, pulled too pulled up,
(05:16):
she'd say, okay, folks, see folks, see I'm like okay,
and I'd go back to for you like this is
just the spirit of who I am. I know what
I've got, but the adjustment, because you know, the thing
about acting is you can find the spirit of who
you are through all kinds of characters, you know. So
(05:37):
finding Paula was another journey for me to find a
woman who was a little bit more simple and grounded
right than many that I've played.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, indeed, and you also are a mom in real
life too, so you can understand the being over protective
and not.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Of course, don't let nobody mess on my baby Grace
be the choice. Oh no, no, no, no, no no no,
I would I however, you know how you would be
different than your character. I however, would try to encourage
her to walk away from something that wasn't good for her.
I don't think I would be the kind of mother
(06:17):
that would get involved involved ands on.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Yeah, and she makes great decisions.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
But let's talk about this as part of the theme
of this movie too, because your character as a mom, yes, right,
your son, you didn't want him to move to get
this exciting, wonderful job opportunity, so you did interfere.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I did so. Paula interfered because she wanted to be
sure that he had the things that were best for him,
and she was of the mindset that she knew better
than he did what was best for him.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
And oftentimes are like that, meddling parents.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Meddling parents, meddling, wives and husbands meddling. Sometimes people just
aren't comfortable to give other people the space to make
their own decisions. They want to be they feel like
they know what's best and it just doesn't have to
be parental.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
And sometimes it's selfish too. She didn't want her son to.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Move, yes, yes, that's true, and to be on her own,
that's true. So selfish.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
And then I think maybe she knew things that nobody
else knew as well, but without giving away too much. Yeah, no, no, no,
no spoilers here, spoilers here. I mean, we're only talking
about the premise of the movies, just for people who
are listening.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
And now, what drew you to this role?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Well, what her journey was? Number One? I laughed when
I read it. So I wanted to explore more of
the comedic part of my instrument, as they say, you know,
so I wanted to explore more of that, and it
is funny on the page. I had experienced some things
(08:16):
in my life, in my family's life, you know, with
my family, that I thought it would be good to
face and deal with some of those same things through
a character and see where it landed. You know. I
also loved that she didn't gravitate to this character, didn't
(08:38):
gravitate toward the toward glamour, toward you know, the superficial things.
That she was a different kind of grounded woman. So
I thought it would be a nice challenge for me.
And then when I talked to Christine Swanson, the director,
on the phone, I realized that she was smart, had
(09:01):
a real point of view, was collaborative because that's important
when you you know, create an environment for other people
to feel free to create, and she was secure enough
in herself as a director to allow that. So that
meant it left me some room to be creative in
(09:23):
it all.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
You know what type of creative input did you have
that was important to this?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Well, I went shopping. I would go shopping on the weekends.
I costumed most of myself in this movie because she
couldn't look like she was aware of what she looks like.
And it had to just be really comfortable.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Okay, so the code mm hmm cab okay.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
All of that, what she was crocheting, it had to
be something that she was really comfortable with. That this
was a woman who was comfortable in her skin and
all that. So that that was part of it. And
there's some things I can't uh it would be a spoiler,
but there are quiet moments that she had that were
(10:15):
improvisations and other moments that were that she allowed us
to improvise. And add you know, when people are secure
and you work together in a group environment, it makes
all the difference, I bet, because nobody you know.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Yeah, for her to say that's a great idea, let's
remember that.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yeah, and you're playing this character, you've been reading it,
living with it, so you kind of get a sense
for what she would do.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Oh yeah, I would wear But it's the same with
all creatives, you know, in your work anywhere, when people
are secure in their vision, it's all right for other
people to have vision, right, And we tried it. It
doesn't work, It doesn't work, but if it works, yeah,
let's keep what's good.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And now you said that you were able to like
tap in and it kind of reminded you of some
of your family dynamics.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yes, what did you mean by that?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Well, you'll have to see the movie and then when
we when we talk about my next project, then.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
You can ask back, bring it back, and then you can.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Bring it back around.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
You can bring it back around going places talking about
well because it'll be a spoiler. Okay, we can't do that.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, so we can't do that. That's the only thing.
But I will just say that part of and I
think I've told you this before, part of what I do,
part of what acting is for me is a service position,
because it's my job to bring the truth of the
(11:44):
human being to the surface. So whether or not it's
inspiring you to want to be like this person or
discouraging you like, this is a mistake, This is a meddling, mom,
you don't want that. Look, the consequence for that was
that you it created distance between you and your son.
(12:05):
That's not a giveaway. So in some of what Paula
goes through in this film, it's I have to be
of service to actually bring it unfiltered and straight up
and really explore what she might be going through for real.
(12:28):
And that's great. And that's where it flips from, you know,
from comedy to dramedy to and back again. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
No, it's nice to be able to feel those emotions
but also be able to laugh.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Oh my god, can you think of a time in
history that we perhaps need to have a good laugh anymore?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Let me tell you, I can't believe. I just oh
you better, child, listen.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I was like, I just need a moment because it
does make you want to like certain things are that
I'm watching like that are And I saw you post
a lot of things about voting, and that's how I
was like, yes, miss lin Wickfield, but encouraging people to
make sure they are involved in this process, and it's
like some things are so ridiculous that it's like, damn
I want to laugh at this, but it's also scary, yes,
(13:20):
and it's like what is about to I really do
feel like what is about to happen?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
But then it also makes me.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Feel really energized and knowing that we have a lot
that we need to do to make sure that we
are good and secure.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Yes, and you know, to make sure that we're good
and secure. And you know where you are in the world,
you know the people who listen to you, who talk
to you. I feel like we all need to listen
to each other more. We need to say you good,
(13:58):
how are you feeling? What do you need you know?
Because maybe some things were missed in terms of hearing.
But yes, right, that's why right now, I think it
is just so great when we can come up with
spaces of time where we're not thinking about this. Yeah,
(14:21):
we need it because we can't fixate in a way,
because there's some things we don't have control over until
it's time to vote again, we can't fixate on things.
We just need to you know, live our lives.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
And I think even sewing the power that we have,
like going to see this movie Albany Row, going to
the theaters and make making sure that you show people
how much our dollars matter, how much our stories matter,
so that more of these stories can be told.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
That's important and that's impacting.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But you know, and what is impressive about this movie
is that Michael Swanson and Christine Swanson paid for this
movie themselves. Well with their money.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
We have to make sure we support this.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
They financed the movie. They're distributing this movie in partnership
with AMC Theaters. And they believe in their stories. And
Christine Swanson is a woman. She took time off, raised
her four kids, took fifteen years off, and then came
back directing television, you know, and episodics and all of that.
(15:29):
But I need to tell my stories. I need and
she's a writer and director. So and the great thing
is this is not about This movie is just about interesting,
colorful people who are black people. They who have a need,
(15:53):
they want something, they have obstacles to something, and they
find ways to get it with themes of like, you know,
we can't live in fear, you know, And it's just
like interesting people. I mean, Joe, oh, you know this
back back, backwoodsman who's like growing organics and stuff. We
(16:18):
won't say that, like it's like, okay, I mean you know,
oh yeah, we can't. I didn't want to give it away.
But I mean, you know, like this backwoodsman dude, black
man who just you know, just growing weed and living
his life. A man a few words, but funny as hell.
He's so funny, you know. Uh. The his wife played
(16:43):
by Lisa Arundel, who saw it. We were in Media's
Family Union together. I mean it's great, you know, all
the organic food and all the yogun and all the
I mean we have friends. Like that's like, don't spoil
a party for me, right, I know I want a
(17:04):
chicken wing. Would you just leave me alone and don't
try to imp I won't impose if you don't impose.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Listen, you know sometimes you just need a chicken wing
and it is what it is.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Don't be a judgmental Thank you very much, But you
know you're right, like having our stories told from our
point of view, that's important. And I think as people
now are trying to erase our existence, how we got here,
what our past has been, opportunities even saying okay, if
(17:34):
you are given opportunities, because the truth is like, due
to the history of things that have happened in this country.
We do have less opportunities and more obstacles, but we
can also work towards fix it. It doesn't have to
be something that we're ashamed of its facts. It's what happened.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
But I remember we sat in New York. I know,
we were all in Los Angeles, Yes, and you had
several of your friends there from different walks of life,
and we were sitting there and people I knew it
came up from all different walks of life. I don't
(18:09):
know what some of the professions were, but we all
but we all had a good time. We did and
we had a laugh and we shared and it wasn't
about any oppressive external forces. We didn't talk about anything
that was. It was just all about it as we were.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
We happened to be in the hotel lobby just yea.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Happened to be our wit.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
It was just us.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
So that's the kind of movie this is' and I
think we need to just see ourselves not reacting to
any exterior forces.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Just existing, just existing.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
We need more of that, and it's it's a shame
that that could be escapism.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I'm not gonna lie, but sitting next to you texting
people like y'all won't believe this.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
I'm here, miss lit Whitfield. We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
But you know, at the end of the day, I
mean that was the beginning of a friendship, right, yes,
And so we sat and it was just so so
nice and easy and we talked like that to this day.
That's I think we need more of that storytelling in
the art that we experience, you know, right now.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
And for you doing this, I was also thinking maybe
you were like there was that meme that would go
around where it was like, I've never seen Limit Field not.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Be like a yeah, she may play a lot of things,
but live with Field never played broke never.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And I was like, okay, not that you were broke
in this at all by any means, but I was like, maybe,
you know, looking at that means it's not a self awareness.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
It's not an awareness of how you're presenting in space
like Lady May was or Brandy Webb was, or even
Baptiste and eaves by you. I mean we justin Batist.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Yeah. We saw Debbie Morgan up here and she was like,
I gotta go say hi because as you which is
exciting to.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Have both yeah, oh, very exciting. Yeah, we didn't know
when we did that we were making a classic, you know.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And think about it, like the two of you happened
to be up here at the same time with projects,
you know, ongoing, Like you know how amazing that is
to see this decades later, Like here we are running
into each other doing press.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
That's incredible.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Also, I love that. Yeah, I love that. Angel If
God says the same, I can't imagine that I'll ever
want to not be telling stories. I just can't imagine it.
I I it's so much fun to jump into other
(20:56):
people's scan, other people's sensibility, other people's action. I can, like,
you know, I can whip somebody's ass in a movie
and not have any consequence.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Right, and then go to Magic City and.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Then and you have nothing, and then you know, reap
the benefit of you know, my fandom, you know, and
be forgiven for it all. I mean, it's so much fun. Yes,
it's so much It's such a blessing to have a
passion for something.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And you know, I think and I appreciate you so
much for how you showed up when we did Lift service,
because I think the Lynn Whitfield story is it too,
like that alone is a movie, a few different movies,
but you know, for you to be open about like
things in your life and talk about that and share
that with the world. You know, people know who you are,
(21:52):
they know your roles, But then who is Menn Whitfield
outside of all that?
Speaker 3 (21:56):
And I think that's the fascinating.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
I think that. I think it's you know, from the
generation that I come from and in acting, you know,
we it wasn't so much about producing our own work
as much, and it wasn't as much about you know,
revelation or maybe it was just me and my southern
(22:18):
family pride or whatever. But you don't just you don't
start talking about self. But in that environment, I felt,
I don't know how, probably because of you and we
had Why I had my saki, I asked forsaki, y'all
had my saki as I did that, and I felt
(22:40):
comfortable that I did not stop zipping the whole time.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
That was wrong, But you know, we need that and
I love and I think even in the spirit of sisterhood,
to be able to sit down and talk to each
other and love each other and tell stories and have
a good time and.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Share things and you know what I else. It's I
think I think if I went through it, like the
Indians say, you know, if you sacrifice an animal, okay,
but in the sacrifice, don't let anything be wasted. So
sometimes I think if I can have the it's not courage,
(23:18):
is something else or lack of pride, lack of something
to actually say this is what I went through.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
It may help somebody, right, it's raw honesty.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah that if I can say this is how it
would You're not the only one. You look at me
and admire me. But I went through some things and
it helps someone to make maybe a better choice than
I did. I think that's a good thing.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Although you know, we all need to bump our own
heads too. Oh yeah, and we're gonna keep.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
On doing it. And it's not.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Until it's gonna be hard headed, you know, until we
stop repeating that which isn't good for us.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
I guess now we all know this Albany Road role.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
It's a different type of role for you, right, So
does this mean that now you're going to be kind
of trying to maybe do more with no concealer?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
And girl, know this, I mean this one done. I'm
not saying it's one and done. It's made me more
fearless to see myself that way. But I I don't know.
It depends on what the role I'm not. I'm not
looking for roles, right, let me get raw, and I'm
not looking for rolls where I when I.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
I didn't, I honestly did not see that, like I
wasn't like.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
No, well, you know what I think if I keep
doing my my my light therapy masks and all of
that tell us the secrets, I love it, but infrared
and the whitest tightening in the blue.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Okay, it's working like that.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So so so if I think the thing is it's
just try to get as healthy as you can that
you don't need so much concealer and all of that
that that your natural self is okay. But no, I
think I'll just be always want striving to be because
I've never seen it. I just don't want it to
(25:10):
be a hard work, right, And I think that's about
being healthy.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Where it's like, if you see me without this, I
look crazy. You don't want that you want to still look.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Well, yeah, I think we shouldn't have to depend on things.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
That you know you got to you know what, I tried,
and I want to do this again. I did it
one time the Morpheus. It's like a micro needling.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Yes, have you heard of that. Your micro needling is good? Yeah,
and they even have the little machines that you can
do at home.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Oh really, but it is.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
It does encourage a collagen.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Exactly, and it also makes you poor is smaller, and
I think that's helpful. So yeah, I'm gonna do that
again because that's great.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And you can do it at home again as well.
They have small instruments that are good for home.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
We need to get to your house and see. I
want to see what's what's going on in your house?
Miss Linn whip Fields. I appreciate you so much as always.
Congratulations on Aubany Road. Honestly, like y'all make sure you
go check it out to day and limited AMC theaters.
We got to support this for all of the reasons
that we just discussed.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
But if anything, because you'll have a good time and
be entertained.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
You'll have a good time. You're gonna laugh, you're gonna cry,
you're gonna love everybody who's in your life just a
little bit more.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I know. Like the tagline says, take the journey you
didn't know you need it.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Woo Woo's night.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
So yeah, I think I think it's a journey that
everybody needs to take, and you'll have fun.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
And you know what else I learned. If you have
a huge presentation, go the night before.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
Okay, don't wait till the morning for your flight to
get canceled because of bad weather.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Try to get there, especially when it's important. I'm gonna
tell you that. Yeah, but then maybe this movie would
have never happened.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Well that's it, but that is but that is a
good lesson to take. Get there a few days earlier, get.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
If it's that important. Don't wait to the last minute.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Wait till the last minute.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
No, all right, guys, Well thank you so much. Lin
Whiphil who is a regular up here right now. She's
a friend of mine, guys, Yeah, it's way up.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Yeah, I mean, Angelie's a friend of mine. Well,
Well, what's up this way up with Angela Yee and
leg My friend is in the building, Miss Alina Whitfield
is here about.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Goodbye, Jela. Thank you for having me back. I mean,
we're making this like a habit.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Listen, I love this for me, Okay, But I do
want to say, by the way, I love the fact
that you've been posting on social media.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
I don't know who's doing it, if it's you or not, but.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm being more involved, yes, because with with the shy
and everything, it's so much going on in the world.
I have things I need to say.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Yeah, last time we spoke, you were like, I have
to be more on They keep telling me to post stuff. Yeah,
I love it, like yeah on there and I'm like,
look at Live with Field posted.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
It's getting better, it's getting better.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
More to do but Albany Road.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
This movie is coming out today because this airs today Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, and it's in AMC theaters right.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yeah, select ANC theaters in many cities. I think we're
on one hundred and thirty screens across the country, so
people just need to check can see which one we're in.
They can prop their feet up, have a little cocktail
or soda and you know visit with us.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
You know, I do enjoy.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I'm glad you said that, because I do enjoy the
movie experience now where you can like order drinks and
food from your seat. Yeah, there's a time, yes that,
and this is definitely that type of movie.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Now.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
It did win Best Feature Film at the Martha's Vineyard
African American Film Festival, which is a huge deal, and
I can see why you can't.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
And we want other ones too.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
We want about four the Detroit Black Film Festival. You
guys were were there at the Cambria Love That Hotel, Yes,
the Oak Park Black Film Festival, and the Golden Thumb
Award at Ebertfest.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Yes, yes, that's just some of them.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yes, we want about four for Best Feature and on
the festival circuit so far, and so I want.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
To talk about this.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I saw the comparisons like as a blend of Thelma
and Louise terms of damn It a dash that far ago.
It also kind of reminded me of plane trains and
automobiles a little bit. Yeah, if we know that movie
where it's like you have to get somewhere, but now
you're stuck driving with somebody in the car who maybe
you didn't want to be stuck driving with.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So we are so Renee Alice Goldsbury. People know her
from from Hamilton and you know Grammy Winner, Tony Winner.
We are stuck in the car together. She's an executive,
very ambitious, going to make the presentation of her life.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I respect it, she was, I know you.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Because you're my girl. You have a vision and you
could that's how we have way up with no right exactly.
So it's that kind of vision that she has for herself.
But she ends up having to rent a car with
a woman who is the mother of her ex fiance,
(02:58):
and the mother had something to do, right, So they're
stuck in a car together, and it's like funny it is,
it's like the odd couple. It's two women who really
don't want to speak to each other, don't have much
to say, don't really like each other, but need each other.
And what happens and how that the journey of them
(03:18):
gaining respect for each other and coming into a family
situation and you know, girl table scenes and families getting
get together for a family dinner. It can go up
or down, right or left, but you know, if people
are feeling some kind of way things come up and
(03:40):
come out. So it's all of that stuff all at
the same time.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
You in the beginning of this movie and when people
go to see it in the theaters and select AMC theaters,
you were so rude when we ran into you at
the airport in the in the movie, Oh seeing how
rude you wear it to the people working at the airport.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
But that's how people be at the airport.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
I know, we get so cranky when you're trying to
get somewhere. And that was a snowstorm and she hadn't
gotten the best news, so she's coming to the airport.
And sometimes we just don't think about what we're saying
to other people or care that we're hurting their feelings.
We just need what we need. And so that person, well,
(04:22):
at first, Angela, you know, I like my lashes. I
like a little calmtour not to mention concealer, but this
is so have you ever seen me this?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
I have not, ba you still look good to me.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, you see, angel just knows how to make me
feel like it's all okay.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Until you said that right now, I didn't even really
notice you did it. That's part of it. You still
look like the glamorous mom in that situation.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Oh my goodness. So it was fun for me to play,
but I had to f in the freedom in it,
and Christine Swanson, who's such a wonderful director, would help
me get there. And if I started to get too
haughty Toddy, like, you know, too much like Lady may
or Brandy Webbing and you know, pulled too pulled up,
(05:16):
she'd say, okay, folks, see folks, see I'm like okay,
and I'd go back to for you like this is
just the spirit of who I am. I know what
I've got, but the adjustment, because you know, the thing
about acting is you can find the spirit of who
you are through all kinds of characters, you know. So
(05:37):
finding Paula was another journey for me to find a
woman who was a little bit more simple and grounded
right than many that I've played.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, indeed, and you also are a mom in real
life too, so you can understand the being over protective
and not.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Of course, don't let nobody mess on my baby Grace
be the choice. Oh no, no, no, no, no no no,
I would I however, you know how you would be
different than your character. I however, would try to encourage
her to walk away from something that wasn't good for her.
I don't think I would be the kind of mother
(06:17):
that would get involved involved ands on.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Yeah, and she makes great decisions.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
But let's talk about this as part of the theme
of this movie too, because your character as a mom, yes, right,
your son, you didn't want him to move to get
this exciting, wonderful job opportunity, so you did interfere.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I did so. Paula interfered because she wanted to be
sure that he had the things that were best for him,
and she was of the mindset that she knew better
than he did what was best for him.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
And oftentimes are like that, meddling parents.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Meddling parents, meddling, wives and husbands meddling. Sometimes people just
aren't comfortable to give other people the space to make
their own decisions. They want to be they feel like
they know what's best and it just doesn't have to
be parental.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
And sometimes it's selfish too. She didn't want her son to.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Move, yes, yes, that's true, and to be on her own,
that's true. So selfish.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
And then I think maybe she knew things that nobody
else knew as well, but without giving away too much. Yeah, no, no, no,
no spoilers here, spoilers here. I mean, we're only talking
about the premise of the movies, just for people who
are listening.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
And now, what drew you to this role?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Well, what her journey was? Number One? I laughed when
I read it. So I wanted to explore more of
the comedic part of my instrument, as they say, you know,
so I wanted to explore more of that, and it
is funny on the page. I had experienced some things
(08:16):
in my life, in my family's life, you know, with
my family, that I thought it would be good to
face and deal with some of those same things through
a character and see where it landed. You know. I
also loved that she didn't gravitate to this character, didn't
(08:38):
gravitate toward the toward glamour, toward you know, the superficial things.
That she was a different kind of grounded woman. So
I thought it would be a nice challenge for me.
And then when I talked to Christine Swanson, the director,
on the phone, I realized that she was smart, had
(09:01):
a real point of view, was collaborative because that's important
when you you know, create an environment for other people
to feel free to create, and she was secure enough
in herself as a director to allow that. So that
meant it left me some room to be creative in
(09:23):
it all.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
You know what type of creative input did you have
that was important to this?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Well, I went shopping. I would go shopping on the weekends.
I costumed most of myself in this movie because she
couldn't look like she was aware of what she looks like.
And it had to just be really comfortable.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Okay, so the code mm hmm cab okay.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
All of that, what she was crocheting, it had to
be something that she was really comfortable with. That this
was a woman who was comfortable in her skin and
all that. So that that was part of it. And
there's some things I can't uh it would be a spoiler,
but there are quiet moments that she had that were
(10:15):
improvisations and other moments that were that she allowed us
to improvise. And add you know, when people are secure
and you work together in a group environment, it makes
all the difference, I bet, because nobody you know.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Yeah, for her to say that's a great idea, let's
remember that.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yeah, and you're playing this character, you've been reading it,
living with it, so you kind of get a sense
for what she would do.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Oh yeah, I would wear But it's the same with
all creatives, you know, in your work anywhere, when people
are secure in their vision, it's all right for other
people to have vision, right, And we tried it. It
doesn't work, It doesn't work, but if it works, yeah,
let's keep what's good.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And now you said that you were able to like
tap in and it kind of reminded you of some
of your family dynamics.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yes, what did you mean by that?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Well, you'll have to see the movie and then when
we when we talk about my next project, then.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
You can ask back, bring it back, and then you can.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Bring it back around.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
You can bring it back around going places talking about
well because it'll be a spoiler. Okay, we can't do that.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, so we can't do that. That's the only thing.
But I will just say that part of and I
think I've told you this before, part of what I do,
part of what acting is for me is a service position,
because it's my job to bring the truth of the
(11:44):
human being to the surface. So whether or not it's
inspiring you to want to be like this person or
discouraging you like, this is a mistake, This is a meddling, mom,
you don't want that. Look, the consequence for that was
that you it created distance between you and your son.
(12:05):
That's not a giveaway. So in some of what Paula
goes through in this film, it's I have to be
of service to actually bring it unfiltered and straight up
and really explore what she might be going through for real.
(12:28):
And that's great. And that's where it flips from, you know,
from comedy to dramedy to and back again. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
No, it's nice to be able to feel those emotions
but also be able to laugh.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Oh my god, can you think of a time in
history that we perhaps need to have a good laugh anymore?
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Let me tell you, I can't believe. I just oh
you better, child, listen.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
I was like, I just need a moment because it
does make you want to like certain things are that
I'm watching like that are And I saw you post
a lot of things about voting, and that's how I
was like, yes, miss lin Wickfield, but encouraging people to
make sure they are involved in this process, and it's
like some things are so ridiculous that it's like, damn
I want to laugh at this, but it's also scary, yes,
(13:20):
and it's like what is about to I really do
feel like what is about to happen?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
But then it also makes me.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Feel really energized and knowing that we have a lot
that we need to do to make sure that we
are good and secure.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Yes, and you know, to make sure that we're good
and secure. And you know where you are in the world,
you know the people who listen to you, who talk
to you. I feel like we all need to listen
to each other more. We need to say you good,
(13:58):
how are you feeling? What do you need you know?
Because maybe some things were missed in terms of hearing.
But yes, right, that's why right now, I think it
is just so great when we can come up with
spaces of time where we're not thinking about this. Yeah,
(14:21):
we need it because we can't fixate in a way,
because there's some things we don't have control over until
it's time to vote again, we can't fixate on things.
We just need to you know, live our lives.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
And I think even sewing the power that we have,
like going to see this movie Albany Row, going to
the theaters and make making sure that you show people
how much our dollars matter, how much our stories matter,
so that more of these stories can be told.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
That's important and that's impacting.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But you know, and what is impressive about this movie
is that Michael Swanson and Christine Swanson paid for this
movie themselves. Well with their money.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
We have to make sure we support this.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
They financed the movie. They're distributing this movie in partnership
with AMC Theaters. And they believe in their stories. And
Christine Swanson is a woman. She took time off, raised
her four kids, took fifteen years off, and then came
back directing television, you know, and episodics and all of that.
(15:29):
But I need to tell my stories. I need and
she's a writer and director. So and the great thing
is this is not about This movie is just about interesting,
colorful people who are black people. They who have a need,
(15:53):
they want something, they have obstacles to something, and they
find ways to get it with themes of like, you know,
we can't live in fear, you know, And it's just
like interesting people. I mean, Joe, oh, you know this
back back, backwoodsman who's like growing organics and stuff. We
(16:18):
won't say that, like it's like, okay, I mean you know,
oh yeah, we can't. I didn't want to give it away.
But I mean, you know, like this backwoodsman dude, black
man who just you know, just growing weed and living
his life. A man a few words, but funny as hell.
He's so funny, you know. Uh. The his wife played
(16:43):
by Lisa Arundel, who saw it. We were in Media's
Family Union together. I mean it's great, you know, all
the organic food and all the yogun and all the
I mean we have friends. Like that's like, don't spoil
a party for me, right, I know I want a
(17:04):
chicken wing. Would you just leave me alone and don't
try to imp I won't impose if you don't impose.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Listen, you know sometimes you just need a chicken wing
and it is what it is.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Don't be a judgmental Thank you very much, But you
know you're right, like having our stories told from our
point of view, that's important. And I think as people
now are trying to erase our existence, how we got here,
what our past has been, opportunities even saying okay, if
(17:34):
you are given opportunities, because the truth is like, due
to the history of things that have happened in this country.
We do have less opportunities and more obstacles, but we
can also work towards fix it. It doesn't have to
be something that we're ashamed of its facts. It's what happened.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
But I remember we sat in New York. I know,
we were all in Los Angeles, Yes, and you had
several of your friends there from different walks of life,
and we were sitting there and people I knew it
came up from all different walks of life. I don't
(18:09):
know what some of the professions were, but we all
but we all had a good time. We did and
we had a laugh and we shared and it wasn't
about any oppressive external forces. We didn't talk about anything
that was. It was just all about it as we were.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
We happened to be in the hotel lobby just yea.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Happened to be our wit.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
It was just us.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
So that's the kind of movie this is' and I
think we need to just see ourselves not reacting to
any exterior forces.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Just existing, just existing.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
We need more of that, and it's it's a shame
that that could be escapism.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
I'm not gonna lie, but sitting next to you texting
people like y'all won't believe this.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
I'm here, miss lit Whitfield. We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
But you know, at the end of the day, I
mean that was the beginning of a friendship, right, yes,
And so we sat and it was just so so
nice and easy and we talked like that to this day.
That's I think we need more of that storytelling in
the art that we experience, you know, right now.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
And for you doing this, I was also thinking maybe
you were like there was that meme that would go
around where it was like, I've never seen Limit Field not.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Be like a yeah, she may play a lot of things,
but live with Field never played broke never.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And I was like, okay, not that you were broke
in this at all by any means, but I was like, maybe,
you know, looking at that means it's not a self awareness.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
It's not an awareness of how you're presenting in space
like Lady May was or Brandy Webb was, or even
Baptiste and eaves by you. I mean we justin Batist.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Yeah. We saw Debbie Morgan up here and she was like,
I gotta go say hi because as you which is
exciting to.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Have both yeah, oh, very exciting. Yeah, we didn't know
when we did that we were making a classic, you know.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And think about it, like the two of you happened
to be up here at the same time with projects,
you know, ongoing, Like you know how amazing that is
to see this decades later, Like here we are running
into each other doing press.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
That's incredible.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Also, I love that. Yeah, I love that. Angel If
God says the same, I can't imagine that I'll ever
want to not be telling stories. I just can't imagine it.
I I it's so much fun to jump into other
(20:56):
people's scan, other people's sensibility, other people's action. I can, like,
you know, I can whip somebody's ass in a movie
and not have any consequence.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Right, and then go to Magic City and.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Then and you have nothing, and then you know, reap
the benefit of you know, my fandom, you know, and
be forgiven for it all. I mean, it's so much fun. Yes,
it's so much It's such a blessing to have a
passion for something.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And you know, I think and I appreciate you so
much for how you showed up when we did Lift service,
because I think the Lynn Whitfield story is it too,
like that alone is a movie, a few different movies,
but you know, for you to be open about like
things in your life and talk about that and share
that with the world. You know, people know who you are,
(21:52):
they know your roles, But then who is Menn Whitfield
outside of all that?
Speaker 3 (21:56):
And I think that's the fascinating.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
I think that. I think it's you know, from the
generation that I come from and in acting, you know,
we it wasn't so much about producing our own work
as much, and it wasn't as much about you know,
revelation or maybe it was just me and my southern
(22:18):
family pride or whatever. But you don't just you don't
start talking about self. But in that environment, I felt,
I don't know how, probably because of you and we
had Why I had my saki, I asked forsaki, y'all
had my saki as I did that, and I felt
(22:40):
comfortable that I did not stop zipping the whole time.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
That was wrong, But you know, we need that and
I love and I think even in the spirit of sisterhood,
to be able to sit down and talk to each
other and love each other and tell stories and have
a good time and.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Share things and you know what I else. It's I
think I think if I went through it, like the
Indians say, you know, if you sacrifice an animal, okay,
but in the sacrifice, don't let anything be wasted. So
sometimes I think if I can have the it's not courage,
(23:18):
is something else or lack of pride, lack of something
to actually say this is what I went through.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
It may help somebody, right, it's raw honesty.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah that if I can say this is how it
would You're not the only one. You look at me
and admire me. But I went through some things and
it helps someone to make maybe a better choice than
I did. I think that's a good thing.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Although you know, we all need to bump our own
heads too. Oh yeah, and we're gonna keep.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
On doing it. And it's not.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Until it's gonna be hard headed, you know, until we
stop repeating that which isn't good for us.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
I guess now we all know this Albany Road role.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
It's a different type of role for you, right, So
does this mean that now you're going to be kind
of trying to maybe do more with no concealer?
Speaker 2 (24:09):
And girl, know this, I mean this one done. I'm
not saying it's one and done. It's made me more
fearless to see myself that way. But I I don't know.
It depends on what the role I'm not. I'm not
looking for roles, right, let me get raw, and I'm
not looking for rolls where I when I.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
I didn't, I honestly did not see that, like I
wasn't like.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
No, well, you know what I think if I keep
doing my my my light therapy masks and all of
that tell us the secrets, I love it, but infrared
and the whitest tightening in the blue.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Okay, it's working like that.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So so so if I think the thing is it's
just try to get as healthy as you can that
you don't need so much concealer and all of that
that that your natural self is okay. But no, I
think I'll just be always want striving to be because
I've never seen it. I just don't want it to
(25:10):
be a hard work, right, And I think that's about
being healthy.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Where it's like, if you see me without this, I
look crazy. You don't want that you want to still look.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Well, yeah, I think we shouldn't have to depend on things.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
That you know you got to you know what, I tried,
and I want to do this again. I did it
one time the Morpheus. It's like a micro needling.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Yes, have you heard of that. Your micro needling is good? Yeah,
and they even have the little machines that you can
do at home.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Oh really, but it is.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
It does encourage a collagen.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Exactly, and it also makes you poor is smaller, and
I think that's helpful. So yeah, I'm gonna do that
again because that's great.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And you can do it at home again as well.
They have small instruments that are good for home.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
We need to get to your house and see. I
want to see what's what's going on in your house?
Miss Linn whip Fields. I appreciate you so much as always.
Congratulations on Aubany Road. Honestly, like y'all make sure you
go check it out to day and limited AMC theaters.
We got to support this for all of the reasons
that we just discussed.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
But if anything, because you'll have a good time and
be entertained.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
You'll have a good time. You're gonna laugh, you're gonna cry,
you're gonna love everybody who's in your life just a
little bit more.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I know. Like the tagline says, take the journey you
didn't know you need it.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Woo Woo's night.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
So yeah, I think I think it's a journey that
everybody needs to take, and you'll have fun.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
And you know what else I learned. If you have
a huge presentation, go the night before.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
Okay, don't wait till the morning for your flight to
get canceled because of bad weather.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Try to get there, especially when it's important. I'm gonna
tell you that. Yeah, but then maybe this movie would
have never happened.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Well that's it, but that is but that is a
good lesson to take. Get there a few days earlier, get.
Speaker 3 (26:53):
If it's that important. Don't wait to the last minute.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Wait till the last minute.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
No, all right, guys, Well thank you so much. Lin
Whiphil who is a regular up here right now. She's
a friend of mine, guys, Yeah, it's way up.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Yeah, I mean, Angelie's a friend of mine. Well,
Host
Angela Yee
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The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
True Crime Tonight
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.