Writer/director Ryan Fleck and co-writer/producer Anna Boden's debut feature film, Half Nelson, is one of my personal favorite films of 2006. Half Nelson's definitely not light and breezy entertainment; it's a movie for those who love slower-paced, character-driven films. The critically acclaimed movie is the story of a dedicated, drug-addicted teacher's relationship with his students, focusing on one particular student who catches him wasted out of his mind in one of the school's restrooms.
Ryan Gosling earned an Oscar nomination and a Spirit Award as Best Lead Male for his role in Half Nelson and his young co-star Shareeka Epps, besides delivering a breakthrough performance, also picked up a Spirit Award for Best Female Lead at this year's event. On the 'blue' carpet (appropriate as the Spirit Awards are held in a tent on the beach), Shareeka Epps talked about working on the film and the importance of awards in getting smaller films introduced to larger audiences.
Why do you think audiences connected with Half Nelson?
“I think Half Nelson was a different film and it kind of drew you into the characters and it gave you the feeling like these are good people but they’re not necessarily doing great things. I think that’s what the audience got.”
Do you think it was difficult for the audience to accept Ryan Gosling’s character as a good guy while he’s doing drugs?
“It was hard for me! I was in the bathroom scene and it was hard for me to see him in that state, knowing him as a person and being good friends with him now. It’s like I couldn’t imagine anyone in that position. I think I would have had a hard time with that.”
How important awards are for getting movies like Half Nelson seen by a wider audience?
“I think it’s really important because there’s a lot of directors and actors out there that do independent films and love what they do, and a lot of people don’t get to see them. The Spirit Awards open the door for a lot of people and I love that about them.”
Working on Half Nelson must have been kind of hard on you, being so young and new to feature films. What was it like on the set?
“In the beginning it was really hard but Ryan Gosling and everyone from the cast and crew really helped me out a lot.”
Were you an actress before this or was it the short film Half Nelson’s based on that got you into acting?
“It was the short film that got me into acting, but I did do musicals before and after it. I still do musicals now.”
Musicals? Is that where your heart lies?
“Yes, I love musicals.”
Is it important for you now to switch things up and show people what you can do?
“Yes, that’s my biggest thing this year being that I am getting recognition and getting a little attention. People see my talent and I want to show them how versatile I can be.”
Is there a major studio film in the works?
“No, well… There’s Alien vs Predator 2 coming out this summer and there’s Neal Cassady, which I’m featured in. We’re looking at a couple of other things. I want to try a lot of different things, maybe TV. We’ll see what happens.”
