After a limited theatrical run The six triple eight is returning to Netflix on November 20th. Based on the real-life women of the 6888th Battalion in WWII (as recounted by Kevin M. Hymel in his groundbreaking article), Tyler Perry's new film explores how the only unit made up entirely of black women faced insurmountable odds to fulfill its mission. duty. This mission was unique: solving years of postal delays to dispatch more than 17 million pieces of mail between soldiers and their loved ones.
While The six triple eight follows a number of Battalion characters, focuses primarily on two real-life women: Lena Derriecott King (played by Ebony Obsidian, who also stars in Perry's BET series Sisters) and the leading charity Adams (Kerry Washington). The former joined the unit after her boyfriend was killed in action, while the latter was tasked with leading the unit in what initially seemed like a punishment. The film also stars Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson and Shanice Shantay, plus fascinating cameos from Sam Waterson, Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey.
TelaRant interviewed Obsidian about the new partnership with Tyler Perry for The six triple eight. The actor praised the real-life Lena Derriecott King, whom she met in time for her 100th birthday, as well as co-star Kerry Washington, who has displayed stellar leadership on and off screen.
Ebony Obsidian recalls meeting real-life Lena Derriecott King
“She had a lot of gratitude, a lot of peace and a lot of joy.”
TelaRant: The six triple eight It's a story I think everyone should know, and I'm glad this brings it to the forefront. You had the chance to meet Mrs. King and learn about her life. What qualities and stories stood out to you most that you wanted to bring to life in your performance?
Ebony Obsidian: Oh, my God. One of the main things I learned from meeting Lena Derriecott King at 100 years old – and on her birthday, I still can't get over it. I think she's the only person I've met at 100. I told her that. “You are special. You are very special.”
And she was very happy. She had a lot of peace about her, and that was a really interesting thing to see in someone who had lived as much life as she had. She went through the war; she was a soldier. She wasn't just living at that time, she was involved and she wasn't celebrated the way she should have been at that time.
I wondered how this impacted the rest of his life. Because she became a nurse, she became a dress designer at a time when that didn't exist. There were no black designers at that time, especially women – but really anyone, to be fair. Or maybe there were, but they just weren't credited because that happens too. She had so much gratitude and so much peace and so much joy, and I just wondered how anyone can maintain that.
She shared some personal stories that I unfortunately can't share here, but what I learned from her is that you truly can accomplish anything you believe you can accomplish, not what other people believe you can accomplish.
The Six Triple Eight Star Praises Collaboration With Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington
“[Kerry] It gave us permission to be the artists we are.”
ScreenRant: Ebony, your performance in this film is absolutely incredible. Can you share how you prepared to capture Lena's journey, strength, resilience and compassion on film?
Ebony Obsidian: All those things, she absolutely had them. Meeting her was one of those things. Of course, I could feel his energy, his aura, what it was and how it might have translated years ago, at 17 years old. This was very helpful.
Also, I think actually being with these women in the film – I'm looking here because the poster is here, and I can see my girls and my battalion who have helped me so much, not just as co-stars, but also as Lena in that space. There was so much protection and care that we all offered each other, so that was tremendously helpful.
Being led by Kerry Washington as Captain Charity Adams was amazing because obviously she's a veteran. She's incredibly talented, but she's also incredibly generous as an artist you share the screen with. She is someone who gave us permission, and I use that word loosely. She gave us permission to be the artists we are. She gave us space to explore these characters, also known as real-life women, the Triple Eight Six. And it was a gift, all things combined.
I think we lived in that space; the scenery was incredible. Some of them weren't sets, some of them were real locations. The cemetery, for example, was the site of the First World War. So you felt it; this was real. There were so many nuances that really painted the world they were in, and you couldn't do anything but be present in it.
ScreenRant: Tyler mentioned that playing Lena for you was a dream come true, and you also got to work with Tyler again here. Can you talk about preparing for this role while working with Tyler?
Ebony Obsidian: Yes. Of course having a relationship on a previous project is very helpful because you understand how someone works, you understand how they think and also maybe what their goals are a little more than you would if you were starting from scratch.
[I was] so honored that he even thought of me in as graceful a position as someone like Lena. She was a lady. Still, I'm like, “Who is this balanced force? Who is this?” Even in her innocence, I felt like she was a force, and so it was wonderful to partner with him on something that was a historical piece, because we both have tremendous respect for history and the contributions that black women have made throughout time. . . He has a lot more knowledge than I do, but I was actually very honored to be included, to be thought of and considered for something so important. We all feel the importance of this project.
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 out our others The six triple eight interviews here:
Source: Screen Rant Plus