Mo'Nique Exclusive: Actress Talks Tackling Homosexuality And Christianity in New 'Blackbird' Film
Mo'nique has proven she does not shy away from tackling controversial roles including the abusive mother she played in the 2009 film "Precious" that helped her score an Oscar, but now she is looking to spark dialogue as the God fearing mother of a gay Christian son in the film "Blackbird."
The film, executive produced by actress Mo'nique Hicks and her husband Sidney Hicks, may present a dichotomy for some Christian viewers with an opening scene that centers around main character Randy Rousseau dreaming about an intimate encounter with another young man in while they sing "Lord I want to be like Jesus in my heart." Some of the scenes in the movie are brazen, exploring the intimate thoughts of a young man battling with his sexuality in between using Biblical scriptures to find resolve through prayer.
Randy's mother Claire Rousseau, is not accepting of her son's sexual orientation and also deals with a broken marriage along with the emotional distress that comes along with being unable to accept that her daughter has gone missing at a young age. Aside from executive producing the film, Mo'nique proves she is far removed from the label of comedian as she explores the varied emotions of Claire.
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The actress told The Christian Post that she was drawn to Claire, a woman that she is all too familiar with.
"I can identify with Claire, I know Claire. When I read the script and I got to know that character, we just know that there are so many moms and dads out there struggling with that," Mo'nique told CP. "I was really proud to play her and hoping that those mothers could see themselves on film and say, is that what I'm doing to my baby? Let me rethink it, let me love my baby differently."
While Mo'nique is not a Christian, she did manage to take some things away from some of the faith-based themes in the film, centered in small Southern Baptist community. Despite the fact that her daughter was missing for years, Claire held on to the hope of her return when some lacked belief.
"I watched a woman have so much faith...She was so unwavering in what she believed about her daughter," Mo'nique told CP. "So I took that away when you really believe, despite everything that's stacked against you, look at what can happen."
The details of what happens with the family's varied issues unfold throughout the film, but some conservative Christian audiences may shy away from even watching the opening credits which are strung together with some intimate homosexual scenes. However, Mo'nique believes all people should give her movie a chance and withhold their judgement.
"The moment we truly practice that word called love, when we really understand what unconditional love is for our brothers and sisters is when we stop labeling, when we stop ridiculing, when we stop crucifying and really open up our hearts to say how would I want to be treated," she told CP. "Is there anywhere in the Bible where it says, 'thou shalt not judge?'..So all I would say to my beautiful brothers and sisters is thou shalt not judge."
Still, Mo'nique's character does explore the issues that her son's homosexuality presents to her Christian beliefs. In one scene, Claire even blames her son for the fact that her young daughter has gone missing.
The devout Christian woman also teams up with the family's preacher in an attempt to pray away his homosexual desires. Mo'nique hopes to showcase a realistic scenario that may be familiar to many families.
"It is a movie that's showing you the dynamic of this family and the woman happens to be sold on what she's taught," the actress told CP. "So she believes her son is sinning, it's a curse to be that way."
Despite the homosexual and faith-based themes, the actress refuses to put a label on the project.
"I took away these amazing friendships of these teenage people, some were gay, some weren't and no one judged each other. They loved each other for who they were," the actress said. "I watched a man and a woman work through it and get through the storm and make a decision that they were going to make their marriage work. So it's so much that you can take from this movie in my humble opinion without putting a label on it."
While the film includes a cast of newcomers including Julian Walker who plays Randy, familiar faces are also part of the movie with singer Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett playing Leslie and Isaiah Washington contributing as Randy's father and Claire's estranged husband Lance. Washington was once ousted from the popular ABC show "Grey's Anatomy" after using homosexual slurs against a co-worker and even spoke out about having a hard time in the industry after the controversy.
However, the actor and activist said it was important to be a part of the coming of age film where he shares production and acting credits with Mo'Nique.
"It was important to bring this film to theaters and I was honored to produce and work with Mo'Nique, Julian Walker and Kevin Allesse on this film," Washington said in a release obtained by The Christian Post.
The film was inspired by the Blackbird novel written by Larry Duplechan and was co-written by Rikki Beadle Blair and Patrik Ian Polk who also served as it's director. Blackbird will hit theaters on April 24.
