9 Questions For Lee Daniels

What were the circumstances that lead you to become a filmmaker?

In LA, I was a talent manager for many years.  I represented many African-American actors. After a while, I became disheartened over the shortage of roles for African Americans.  I decided I was going to do something about it by producing my own films that included meaningful and compelling roles for black actors.  So, I jumped into producing with my first film “Monster’s Ball.”

While I am not a musician,  I love music.  I have over 15,000 songs on my ipod.  Everything from hard core rap to the soundtrack from the original Cinderella.  I believe my love for music has made me partial to working with musicians in my films.  I find musicians to be wonderfully talented and soulful.  I think you will also find that my broad range of musical interests finds its way into many of my films. 

How did you learn the “craft” of filmmaking?

I did not go to film school.  I learned by spending hundreds of hours on sets with the actors I was managing and watching and listening.  One of my greatest joys in filmmaking is working with the actors and I use to run lines endlessly with them to perfect their performance prior to their auditions.

How or what prompted the idea for “Precious” and how did it evolve?

After reading “Push” many years ago, I always wanted to make this book into a movie.  This is an incredible work by Sapphire and I love every syllable of the book. 

Please elaborate a bit on your approach to making the film…

I do not believe in over rehearsing.  I encourage my actors to take liberties with the script. 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in developing the project?

Why would anyone care about a poor, 300-pound, uneducated black girl as dark as night?  The answer to this question is what this film is ultimately about.  Two of the first people who did care are my incredible producers, Sarah-Siegel Magness and Gary Magness who have contributed immeasurably to bringing this film to light.

What are some of your favorite films?

“The Goddess” with Kim Stanley (a favorite actress), “Pickup on South Street” (way ahead of its time),  “The Professional”,  “In the Mood for Love”, “Bonnie and Clyde”, and “Ladies Sings the Blue” are a few that come to mind.  This year has been an incredible year for movies.  I particularly liked “Defiance” and even made my kids watch it.

How do you define success as a filmmaker, and what are your personal goals as a filmmaker?

To make movies that are honest and real and show the full range of human emotions and the human condition. To breakdown color barriers both in front of the screen and behind cameras so that hopefully one day people will not say someone was “unbelievable” in a film simply because of the color of the actor’s skin.

What are your future projects?

I am still searching for this answer. My family and friends want me to direct a big studio action movie; my boyfriend wants me to make a musical; my investors have expressed interest in a childrens’s movie; but I do not know…I still feel drawn to dark movies with endless human carnage…so maybe a drug movie!