He’s reflecting on the movie withEntertainment Weeklythe day after Oscar nominations.
This really does feel like it cares about making a difference in the world," Domingo says.
It’s really a beautiful human story that we need right now.
Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin in ‘Sing Sing’.A24
I know I need a film like this.
I needed to be a part of a film like this," theEuphoriaEmmy-winner continues.
“It’s changing the conversation about people who are incarcerated.
Michael Dunbabin
I feel like everything about it is pointed to something that is looking at our higher angels.”
There are some films I’m tired of talking about," he says, laughing.
“This one, I’m not.
Colman Domingo in ‘Sing Sing’.Dominic Leon/A24
Michael Dunbabin
THE AWARDIST: John “Divine G” Whitfield is a real man.
You got to meet him.
You spent time with him.
Colman Domingo in ‘Sing Sing’.Dominic Leon/A24
And then when he puts back on the prison greens, all you have is time.
It is more introspective time, when you have time to think.
So it is moments of introspection.
Colman Domingo in ‘Rustin’.David Lee/Netflix
I thought that’s key to my character’s soul.
And yes, some of it’s based on John.
Once I figured out those two things, I knew exactly how to find my way into him.
Colman Domingo on ‘Euphoria’.Eddy Chen/HBO
it’s possible for you to’t catch a breeze.”
How did that impact your performance?
I think in every single way.
It would’ve been a different film if we filmed them on sound stages.
So everything about it was real.
You were like, oh, this is the air quality it is stagnant in there.
Pablo Larraín/Netflix; PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA; MUBI/Courtesy Everett Collection
There’s no real sources of light.
The colors, even the lighting, everything about it was oppressive.
There’s no place for corrections here.
Angelina Jolie in ‘Maria’.Pablo Larrain/Netflix
This is actually just feeding the beast.
No one’s going to get well or better.
And I remember that.
Selena Gomez in ‘Emilia Pérez’.Shanna Besson/PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA
Some moments like that are so dehumanizing…. You’re treated like nothing.
It makes you want to punch somebody.
Here’s someone who’s vulnerable, this program has been working on him.
Monica Barbaro in ‘A Complete Unknown’.Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
In that one moment, it breaks his soul in a way.
So that’s why that question’s there; it’s just some cynicism that throws him off.
Is Divine G a role you think you would’ve played 10, 15 years ago?
Kiernan Shipka, Pamela Anderson, and Brenda Song in ‘The Last Showgirl’.Roadside Attractions / Courtesy Everett Collection
I would’ve, but I would’ve played it differently.
I think I needed all those years to do it.
It’s funny because I’ve had such an interesting career.
I’m able to showcase everything I could possibly do and lead it in an extraordinary way.
I think people can see me differently now.
It wasn’t 10, 15 year ago.
No, because for years, I’ve been a journeyman actor.
I’ve been a character actor.
The thing is, you actually have the skills to do both.
She said, “It’s just going to take some time.”
How did you digest that?
Was that an exercise in patience?
Brian de Rivera Simon/WireImage; Mike Marsland/WireImage; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
I think I lived in the character actor realm.
I was always the one, if there’s a wild card on stage, it was me.
Now, I’m not marginalized.
Taylor Swift at the 2016 Grammys.Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty
[They aren’t] saying, “He does that one thing.”
I’m like, ah.
I think he’s a little bit more to the side.
What is your take on this generation?
What are they teaching you?
What are you observing and learning from them?
That’s a great question.
When I work with someone like Zendaya, I can really spar with her in a great way.
She’s very open and she doesn’t have any preconceived notions on the way a scene should be.
She’s like, “Let’s roll with it.”
She’s well-studied and well-informed, and she brings all that to it.
For me, I need to know every single thing so that I can be liberated and free.
And I’ve had to learn the opposite, actually.
Eddy Chen/HBO
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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