For his cinematic interpretation of Colson Whitehead's critically acclaimed novel, 'The Nickel Boys,' director RaMell Ross masterfully weaves the tale through a subjective lens, transforming the camera into the very eyes of protagonists Elwood (portrayed by Ethan Herisse and Daveed Diggs) and Turner (Brandon Wilson). This immersive experience, as Ross divulged to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the film's prestigious opening night screening at the 2024 New York Film Festival, is a meticulously crafted "experiment of perception," designed to situate viewers in the shoes of the characters.
"I ponder the emotions that will resonate within the Black community as they witness their perspectives mirrored in the film's imagery, simultaneously blending with the cinematic tapestry," Ross elaborated on his unconventional choice. "Furthermore, I am curious about how those who do not share that skin tone will feel, stepping into someone else's shoes as vividly as possible through the lens of cinema. This endeavor is akin to an exploration that harmoniously aligns the characters' reality, lived experiences, and sensory world with that of the audience, offering a profound insight."
'Nickel Boys' chronicles the harrowing journey of Elwood and Turner within the confines of the fictional Nickel Academy, a haunting echo of the notorious Dozier School for Boys in Florida, which operated from 1900 to 2011. Tales of brutality, rape, and murder, followed by unmarked graves, haunt the halls of this reform school.
Cinematographer Jomo Fray, collaborating closely with Ross, shared their shared vision of "immersion" as the cornerstone of their filmmaking approach. "Our aspiration was to create an image that not only draws the audience into the narrative's depths but also imbues a sense of peril," Fray revealed on the red carpet of the NYFF premiere. "Traversing the Jim Crow South as a Black man was fraught with danger, and we sought to mirror that unease in every frame, as if the image itself were vulnerable at any moment."
This approach, Fray added, also aimed to capture the essence of life's fleeting moments of beauty, joy, and awe, even amidst the inhumanity of the era and the oppressive laws that defined it. "By embracing this technique, I found myself intimately connected to the actors' emotions, almost as if I were within the scene itself," Fray mused. "When the camera embraced an actor, it was my own embrace, fostering a unique bond that transcended traditional filmmaking dynamics. I was no longer an observer but a participant, vulnerable alongside the characters, channeling their emotions through the lens in a deeply personal way."
Producer and co-writer Joslyn Barnes credited this subjective perspective with guiding Ross in navigating the novel's intricate twists and turns. Meanwhile, Daveed Diggs, who embodies the adult Elwood, confessed that Ross' immersive approach was the deciding factor in his acceptance of the role. "The depth and intimacy of his vision were precisely why I said yes," Diggs shared with THR, adding that he engaged in numerous "technical yet profound conversations" with Ross to prepare for the role. "I was stepping onto a moving train, and to grasp the visual narrative's essence, Ross generously shared footage that allowed me to immerse myself in the storytelling's visual language."
Despite the brutal realities of abuse and, in dire cases, even murder that the boys at Nickel Academy endured, the film masterfully refrains from explicitly showcasing these violent acts upon its protagonists. Ross, the visionary behind this choice, emphasized that it was a deliberate strategy to shield audiences from an overwhelming barrage of traumatic imagery. "I'm hesitant to replicate such horrors," he said. "The world is already saturated with them, and while they serve a purpose in fostering understanding and awareness, there's a threshold where they lose their potency, becoming mere repetitions devoid of genuine emotional depth. This realization sparked a creative awakening—realizing there are myriad alternative paths to evoke the same emotions without resorting to direct violence."
Fray echoed Ross's sentiments, revealing that the director was adamant about excluding both "the sight of violence" and "racial slurs" from the film's narrative. "We're all acutely aware that these atrocities were integral to the Jim Crow era and Nickel Academy's dark history," he said. "Our mission was to illuminate unseen facets, unexplored realities, and unheard perspectives, delving deeper into the human experience. Graphic depictions, though jarring, can sometimes distract from the core inhumanity at play, obscuring the true conversation."
Herisse added a poignant note, highlighting the film's "poetic" imagery, even the challenging ones, as having a profound lingering effect. "These images linger, transporting you into another's life experience, an encounter that transcends the screen," she said. "Though the film abstains from explicit violence, its nuanced approach resonates deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the heart and mind."
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, portraying Elwood's grandmother, expressed her earnest hope that viewers would be profoundly moved and transformed by the film's impact. "More than anything, I aspire for this film to evoke a sense of empathy and inspire change within its audience," she told THR. "I dream that it broadens our horizons, expanding the boundaries of what we perceive as possible on screen, challenging us to see beyond the conventional."
Ross triumphantly emerges from the vibrant realm of documentaries, his magnum opus, 'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' from 2018, an impressionistic masterpiece that has etched its indelible mark with a myriad of accolades, poignantly capturing the lives of Black Americans and the injustices that shroud a secluded corner of Alabama in darkness. With 'Nickel Boys,' he not only extends the thematic tapestry of his previous triumph but masterfully weaves his signature narrative technique—a seamless dance between fleeting images and quotidian snippets—to meticulously sculpt a vibrant portrait of a region's soul.
As the film's celebratory soirée sparkles amidst the serenity of Tavern on the Green, nestled within Central Park's verdant embrace, Ross warmly embraces a throng of admirers, many hailing from the documentary fraternity, eager to congratulate him on his remarkable evolution and bask in the radiance of his latest triumph.
This cinematic endeavor stands as a testament to Amazon MGM Studios' daring pursuit of a second consecutive Best Picture Oscar nomination, following their rebranding in the vibrant spring of 2023. Their previous conquest, the satirical masterpiece 'American Fiction,' had triumphantly secured both a Best Picture nod and an Adapted Screenplay award at the prestigious 2024 Academy Awards.
While 'Nickel Boys's' unconventional narrative tapestry and its non-linear structure might present a formidable challenge for some Academy voters, the festival crowd buzzes with an overwhelming positivity as they mingle at the after-party, their spirits uplifted by the film's potent message.
Ross, with fervor, speaks of his aspiration to create a work that transcends the fleeting nature of award seasons. "Perhaps this film can serve as a pivotal cornerstone, a testament to the collective memory of racial injustice," he shares with the festival attendees before the screening. "A cinematic sculpture, a monolith that towers like a Rushmore, forever etched in the hearts of all who bear witness to its power."
Post-screening, during a captivating Q&A session featuring director Ross, producer Fray, and the cast, actress Ellis-Taylor offers poignant reflections on the film's profound impact, despite its absence of overt violence. She reveals that some viewers have found it a "difficult watch," emerging feeling "hopeless" and weighed down by the gravity of its message.
Albeit perturbed, disturbed, and saddened by such reactions, Ellis-Taylor emphasizes the brilliance of Ross' portrayal of trauma. "What I admire most about RaMell's work is how he imbues Black pain, the suffering of these children, with a tangible quality—it transcends the boundaries of the screen and becomes our collective burden," she says. "It's challenging, undoubtedly, but I believe it leaves viewers without a sense of hope, feeling isolated with no escape. Perhaps, we should all feel a tinge of that. RaMell's genius lies in making us not mere spectators, but recipients of this pain. For me, who has been a part of countless films exploring Black suffering, this one stands apart because it shifts our perspective—we are no longer detached, but deeply implicated and profoundly moved."
