“I think they just couldn’t believe…they weren’t just allowed to just be married and live where they wanted to live — two really simple desires.”
That’s Ruth Negga speaking about Mildred and Richard Loving who brought about a landmark civil rights decision reversing the ban against interracial marriage (Loving v. Virginia), and the subjects of Jeff Nichols’ next film.
(The real Richard and Mildred Loving)
Loving’s Cannes premiere received a standing ovation, kicked off this year’s Oscar buzz, and made Ruth cry throughout. I can’t even imagine having enough tissue to get through it all; just moments of clips featuring Negga and a completely transformed Joel Edgerton, and I was already a mess. The timely story of the couple who “changed the constitution” reminds how incomprehensible our past, and warns of the split path we walk in our country right now.
“And I think there was a certain deeper respect than any other experience I’ve ever had, to bring someone to life because of how deeply I felt about the story, and how big an open heart this movie has.” (Edgerton)
Here’s the first clip; do keep your Kleenex handy.
And a Cannes press interview:
Deadline also has a great clip with Nichols discussing the Lovings, and how he came about casting the actors.
Catch Ruth Negga in AMC’s Preacher this Sunday; Loving hits theaters November 4th.