rundown
Jamie Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku and Hailee Steinfeld were honored at ELLE’s Women in Hollywood event last night, but Steinfeld was unable to attend due to illness. “Thinners” director Ryan Coogler and co-star Michael B. Jordan introduced the trio. In their speech, the stars of “Sinners” said that “this film has curated a culture of seeing and being seen.”
“The story of ‘Sinners’ would not be possible without the presence of women,'” Ryan Coogler, the film’s director, said on stage at the Elle Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles. “They are truth tellers, and perhaps more importantly, they are central to the story…This film was fueled by women.”
Director Coogler introduced the audience to Women in Hollywood honoree and Sinners actress Jamie Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku, and Hailee Steinfeld, along with lead actor Michael B. Jordan. (Steinfeld was absent due to illness, and Lawson later told the audience that Steinfeld was “really upset that he can’t be here tonight, but he’s celebrating with us in spirit.”)
Jordan praised Mosaku, explaining how the Lovecraft Country actress was inspired by her portrayal of Annie, who “represents black female spirituality.” “As[Mosaku]once said, the scariest part of this film is the feeling that no matter how far you go, you may not be quite where you started. Wunmi, thank you for your gentle wisdom, love, and support. Tonight, we honor you and always will.”
Coogler praised Lawson, who plays juke joint singer Pearline, saying, “What’s so powerful about Jamie’s performance is how she conveys the joy, spirit, and genius of black women in the South, whose contributions would change the world time and time again. Thank you, Jamie, for your artistry. And I have to say, you were never too much for us. You were always enough.”
In closing, Jordan thanked Steinfeld for her work on and off screen, starring as Mary, a “southern Mississippi white woman.” It raised big questions about the identity of my half-Japanese maternal grandfather.The theme of inheritance still lingers in every frame of ‘The Sinners.’And we love you, Haley, for doing justice to that story. ”
Upon receiving the honor, Lawson and Mosaku expressed their gratitude to the audience, both the venue and the movie theater, for celebrating their accomplishments with Sinners. “Every woman in this room knows what it feels like to want to be an artist, but often not feel full,” she said. “Ryan not only fed our appetites, he gave us a gift to each other. Sisters. When you find sisters in this industry, you hold on to them forever and never have the courage to let them go.”
She concluded that “this film has curated a culture aimed at seeing and being seen, which is rare.”
Ms. Mosaku then shared a portion of her common speech, saying, “I hope this moment will inspire those listening that this moment will be fertile ground for women to grow outside of stereotypes, labels, and expectations.” She addressed Coogler directly, saying, “Ryan, the light shining on you is undeniable and incandescent. We are so grateful to the women who inspire you, who love you so deeply, and who champion them on and off camera, expressing their full complexity and humanity.”
Read the full interview with Lawson, Mosaku, and Steinfeld for ELLE’s Women in Hollywood issue here.
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