Netflix offers a fascinating history lesson in The six triple eightwhich follows the only American battalion made up of black women during World War II. These women were tasked with sorting through an endless backlog of war correspondence so that soldiers could communicate with their loved ones – a mission that may have started out as hard work, but which proved to be inspiring on several fronts. Based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel, the film is written and directed by Tyler Perry (a far cry from Madea films that made him a household name) and serves as his third project in 2024.
The six triple eight stars Kerry Washington (who also helped produce the film) as Major Charity Adams, leader of the 688th Battalion. Her perspective on the team she's been asked to lead changes when she meets newcomer Lena Derriecott King (Ebony Obsidian), who joined the army after her lover was killed in action. Together, the women of the unit manage to sort 17 million pieces of mail ahead of schedule, defying the odds and low expectations of those around them.
TelaRant interviewed Washington about the confluence of events before Tyler Perry The six triple eight the script came to her, and the lessons of putting herself in Major Charity Adams' shoes taught her. The actor also spoke about his role in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Kerry Washington explains her fortuitous encounter with the six triple eights
“Wouldn’t it be cool to make a film about these women?”
ScreenRant: You are absolutely incredible in this film. That's a side of you that we haven't seen on screen yet, and I'm glad that story has been told because that's something I didn't know about. I can't wait for the world to see who the Six Triple Eight they are.
Kerry Washington: true heroes. True, true heroes.
ScreenRant: Absolutely. How did you discover the story of the Six Triple Eights and what was your initial reaction upon learning of their incredible achievements?
Kerry Washington: This crazy thing happened. I got this email from Tyler Perry where he said, “I have an interesting movie, I want you to watch a project we should be working on,” and I said, “Great. I have a crazy weekend. I have several photo shoots.” , but I'll take a look on Monday.”
That weekend we did a photo shoot for a series I was doing on Instagram called Black Herstory, and I dressed up as Lena Derriecott King, and it was really emotional for me. I didn't even know [about them]; my social media director brought me this story about these women. I had never heard of them and I was delighted. I was like, “We have to do this.” I loved dressing up in the wardrobe, so I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to make a movie about these women?” But it was like wishing on a star. It wasn't a real thing in my mind.
A few days later, I opened the squeaky reel and it was them. It's the story of these women. It was mind-blowing. I couldn't believe it. I got on the phone with Tyler and he said, “I want you to play their captain, Charity Adams,” and it gave me goosebumps all over. I was like, “I'm in. I don't know how you're going to make an interesting, captivating movie about the mail, but I'm in. I'm rooting for you. Let's go.”
ScreenRant: Yes, they made a movie about the mail and I started crying at the end. That was so fortuitous.
Kerry Washington: There were a lot of those moments on set. I really feel like you could call it serendipity. I kind of call it God.
Learning leadership from The Six Triple Eight's flagship charity, Adams
“She expected the best and the most from these women, but she also did it with a very open heart.”
ScreenRant: You play Major Charity Adams. What have you learned from his leadership style, especially his ability to maintain morale among his troops?
Kerry Washington: It's funny. I felt like she started helping me be her the moment I walked on set because as an executive producer, I felt like it was part of my responsibility to make sure all the girls got along. So that we could operate as a troop, that we trusted each other, that we liked each other, and that we felt safe to take big creative leaps and have big emotional moments with each other.
Her leadership style is very inspiring to me because I think she really found this beautiful balance, and she talks about it in her memoir; that balance of being fierce and totally in charge, but also remaining compassionate. She expected the best and the most from these women, but she also did so with a very open heart and a high level of maternal instinct, even though she was not yet a mother. So I really admire her leadership style and I try to carry that with me in my life now because I think she really is one of our greatest heroes.
ScreenRant: You mentioned the feeling of being surrounded by the angels of the Triple Eight Six. Can you talk about a moment during filming when you felt this deep connection to these historical figures?
Kerry Washington: Yes, there was a moment when I was sitting in my dressing room with Tyler Perry. We were rehearsing one of his many monologues and tweaking the language and going over it, and we heard a knock on the door, and it was a transportation guy. He came in with a trunk that said Charity Adams on the side, and it was her real trunk.
Inside were wardrobe items; there were twigs and seeds from her victory garden that she planted in Europe, which I just read about in her memoir. I mean, it was extraordinary. It felt like her energy; his essence was living in that material.
Kerry Washington Opens Up (But Doesn't Reveal Secrets) About Knives Out 3
“We are so excited to be able to share this film with the world.”
ScreenRant: What it's been like working with another creative genius, Rian Johnson, on the highly anticipated Wake Up Dead Man: a mystery with knives?
Kerry Washington: Oh, my God. It's so exciting. I saw Rian when he came to the big party I threw for my Walk of Fame star, and I missed him. I was so happy to see him. We broke up a few months ago; we were filming this summer. It was great to see him and talk to him about how the edit is going. Making this film was a joy.
Obviously I can't say anything about the movie other than Daniel Craig is in it, but it's fantastic. It was so much fun working with this cast. We adore each other. We are so excited to be able to share this film with the world and I feel very lucky to be part of this group.
More about the six triple eight (2024)
Six Triple Eight is inspired by the first and only black unit of the Women's Army Corps to serve overseas in World War II. Despite facing racism and sexism – and grueling working conditions – they were committed to serving their country with honor and distinction. With an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these anonymous heroes conveyed hope and destroyed barriers.
Check back soon for our others The six triple eight interviews here:
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Tyler Perry
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Ebony Obsidian
Source: Screen Rant Plus