
Angel Kristi Williams and Felicia Pride’s film “Really Love” depicts a love story set against the backdrop of a gentrifying Washington DC. Isaiah, an emerging black painter, is on
the brink of breaking out or giving up when he meets Stevie, an intriguing law student. Black Love recently talked with co-stars Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing about filming in Chocolate City, the ability to make room for love while dreaming big, and what they enjoyed most about working together.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Black Love: While “Really Love” is a love story between Isaiah and Stevie, you also walk away feeling so much of the love and culture of Chocolate City. Did you two leave D.C with a different appreciation for the city than you had before filming?
Kofi: “Really Love” put me on to Go-Go music. Go-Go wasn’t in my life until then, so shout to Angel for that and shout out to D.C. There’s so much rich history and culture that just goes unspoken there that I’m still learning about.
Black Love: Kofi, Isaiah says in the film that our ability to make something out of nothing as Black people in itself is art. Do you feel like, as a culture, we feel like art is this thing that we can’t grab hold of if we aren’t painters, singers, or even actors, for that matter?
Kofi: Absolutely. I feel like we’ve been limited to mediums. Mediums that we don’t even necessarily control, even with those mediums, are being painters and artists and actors or whatever. We’re always still going through this white filter. Social workers, good cops, firefighters, and man, just great parents, and neighbors, should have that same respect. We’re often only celebrated when we’re extravagant or magical while our counterparts are celebrated when they do regular shit. Our existence, despite the conditions we’ve had to exist within for centuries – that’s magical in itself.
Black Love: The sex scenes between Isaiah and Stevie are so beautifully layered, and you get the chance to see so much vulnerability from the characters. How intentional was that, and what did it mean to you?
Yootha: Sean Peters, our director of photography, made sure that the feeling and essence of connection was there. Kofi and I did our part too, but to have someone like Sean, who was able to be very aware of the type of lens you’re using. Kofi and I had our own lens for the scenes; that doesn’t always happen. That level of eye for detail is how you align with the essence of Black people. Many people will watch this movie, and the aesthetic alone will draw them in to see the beauty in the way that we are captured with the right lighting that doesn’t leave us looking ashy.
Black Love: Yootha, Stevie seems to be this accomplished Black woman but simultaneously very afraid. Of falling in love, the criticism of her parents, and ultimately the fate of her relationship. What do you want people to walk away knowing about her?
Yootha: I perceive Stevie as someone struggling with what it means to be successful. For a lot of us, the paradigm taught us what to believe success is. While Stevie isn’t a struggling artist, she’s also trying to find out who she is. Stevie’s very much so on the same journey as Isaiah; they mirror each other. She’s a very relatable character because we all go through that same journey of getting to know ourselves, knowing what we want, and finding that authenticity. Even if you’re like Stevie and in a prestigious career field, you’re still gonna have to work on yourself, be confronted with your own emotional limitations or projections, and all that.
Black Love: The film itself represents this larger conversation of creatives doubting themselves and feeling like there isn’t room for love and their work. Have either of you ever felt that way?
Kofi: Absolutely. I feel like it’s embedded in the evolution. Because we often have to rely on ourselves, and you have to be real with your capacity. But as artists, we love to fill the spectrum of life and love. And we’re inspired by relationships, our friends, and the world around us. But then it gets to those places where you gotta lock-in, and do what you gotta do. And while you have to be selfish at times, I think we should learn to be selfish in scope and learn balance. So many of us want this The Notebook/Love Jones type of relationship while you’re out here tryna chase your dreams and be 50 Cent and Jay Z., You know? But you have to be real with yourself and understand how much work it takes to have a successful relationship independently with yourself first and then with another person, and your family and friends.
BlackLove.com Related Articles:
From ‘Paris is Burning’ to ‘Pose’: What These Moments in Media Mean to Me
‘Sylvie’s Love’ Writer and Director Eugene Ashe Shares the Story of How the Movie Came to Be (VIDEO)
The Cast of ‘Lovecraft Country’ Weighs in on Racial Parallels in Today’s Society
Black Love: Isaiah had so many positive Black men and women in his life that championed him to reach his next. How important is that representation on screen to you?
Kofi: I’m glad you pointed that out. I feel like in my life; personally, that’s something I’m working on, just really being open to mentors and not being afraid to receive that kind of support and admit that you need it. In our society, sometimes mentorship isn’t easily accessible unless you align with that person, or somehow they seek you out. Most of the time, we’re trying to figure it out for the first time by ourselves; and a lot of our friends are too. As I’m getting older, I’m definitely challenging myself to be there for the younger kids, and we have to be open to receiving mentorship as well.
Yootha: It’s beautiful to see that we’re working towards creating those mentors and honoring the ones we lost from Nipsey to Pac and so many people that are part of the culture. We’re at a place now where we’re like I’m gonna teach you how to fish – I’m not just gonna flaunt my success. We’re gonna build this because we’re in this thing together. That’s such a productive and constructive way to continue this journey as a community. That means that we’re letting go of that crabs in a barrel mentality, ego, all of that stuff. So I’m happy to see that.
Black Love: What did you enjoy most about working with each other?
Kofi: The reason why I love Yootha is because she challenges me. She inspires me. She’s extremely regal but she’s a goofball. she’s a tomboy. Just knowing as something like her exists. I’ve met a lot of women in my life, but she brings something new in every way. She just brings a different light to every moment. Ever since we met, I’ve been very blessed.
Yootha: I think a lot of times people are really impressed and enamored by Kofi’s physical appearance, which I get, you know, but that wasn’t even the main thing that stuck with me. It’s his intellect that is beyond comprehension. I mean, I’m trying to keep up with him because he pushes me to reflect on how I think about things. Certain people just add something to your life and add another dimension, and it’s that sets the foundation for life and it’s just very rare to meet someone like that.
Black Love: How do you want Black people to feel after watching this film?
Yootha: I hope people will feel inspired to love, regardless of what complexities come with it. I think a lot of times we not only settle for whatever comes our way, but we are afraid to ask for what we deserve because we are so used to just being happy with whatever has been given to us, which in many ways was ingrained in our DNA, — and now we’re getting back to feeling that abundance of love and being able to dive deeper and take that leap and explore places that we have been told are not for us or haven’t seen.
Kofi: I want them to be uplifted in their journey. You know, love is, again, nuanced, dimensional, and a lifelong journey. So it’s not something you just accomplish or check off the list. It’s a process. So I would hope this uplifts you and gives you the space to process your own life and maybe see yourself from a different lens and gives perspective on friends/relationships, and hopefully, it heals some things that you never really got closure on. I pray that it’s inspiring in all those ways because we need it. There’s a lot going on in the world, and a little bit of love don’t hurt.
“Really Love” premieres today and is now globally streaming on Netflix. Be sure to check it out!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION