Ruth Negga has admitted that she’s “glad” her new film Loving has made people angry, and hopes it inspires people during a time when thousands are taking to the streets to protest.
The Irish-Ethiopian actress has made a name for herself in the US for her role as Mildred Loving, landing herself nominations at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and the prestigious Academy Awards.
Loving is the story of real-life Virginia couple Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), whose 1967 Supreme Court case legalised interracial marriage in the US.
Now, Ruth hopes that the Loving’s story will inspire people to stand up for what they believe in, at such a devastating time both politically and socially, “I think (Richard and Mildred Loving) remind us that we equally have as much as a right to own the space that we’re in as the next person – and that’s not always what I think we’re led to believe by people who wield power.”
Inspire: Ruth is glad Loving has made people angry | FOCUS FEATURES
“I’m glad people are feeling angry because maybe that gives them impetus to do something. To speak. To use their voice. To search for the humanity in every one of us, rather than try to distance one another through differences, or perceived differences.
“You have a right to use your voice. People have always been loathe to do that because it can be quite intimidating. I think people who may feel that they’re not articulate enough but how articulate do you have to be to say ‘I don’t agree with that and that’s wrong’?
“I really do believe that and I think this might inspire confidence in people to become part of something.”
“Even to this day when I see it, my response is very emotional, a bit teary because it’s a sort of angry sadness. This couple were robbed of nine years of living in their home, without looking over their shoulder, without fear. I feel angry on their behalf. What’s good about that anger, I think, is when it’s translated into some sort of movement, it can be a really good thing,” she told the Irish Independent.
Speaking about filming the movie, Ruth admitted that she and her co-star Joel Edgerton found it hard to part with their characters when filming wrapped.
“I love this couple. I fell in love with them the first time I saw the documentary, Loving Story. And I fell even more deeply in love with them when we were filming. When we were wrapping up the movie, with just 10 days to go of filming, I felt this feeling in the pit of my stomach. This sense of loss.”
“Joel had the same feeling. It was because we were going to have to part ways with these people. And I realised how much of a privilege it was for us to play them. They made us better people,” she added.
