Exclusive Interview : Nate Parker from 'The Great Debaters'

Talented actor Nate Parker, who starred in the critically acclaimed “The Great Debaters,” sat down with BuzzFocus.com today to talk about the movie and what it was like to work with Oscar winning actors Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.

BF: Mr. Parker, how are you doing today?

NP: I’m good, I’m blessed.

BF: It’s 2 weeks into 2008, how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions?

NP: Oh, everything is going extremely well. For me, it’s more about spending time with my family, my wife, my mother. That’s basically what I’ve been doing. Outside of the publicity tour, with the time I’m home, I get the best out of their time.

BF: Now, on to The Great Debaters - the role you play is possibly the most challenging in the movie, how were you able to relate to the character of Henry Lowe.

NP: For me, it was about the backstories. Really about diving into his past. The actual plight of a black man in the Jim Crowe South, surrounded by the terrorism and having to live with the compromise of his integrity and dignity every single day, you know. One of the things I did was make a sanctuary where it basically chronicles the legends of that era from the time of the 1800s up until the 1960s. I photocopied those pictures and put them up all over my trailer so I could really be reminded of the stakes and every moment of every day I was on that set. When I got the role, a lot of the other actors were very excited for me. There was excitement but I think even more than excitement, I felt such responsibility. I had to bring the truth of not only this character, but of every black man that lived during those times.

BF: The movie dealt with some serious issues - appealing to a mass audience, what do you hope it leaves people with?

NP: Well, for young people, I hope that it encourages them to not submit to the elements of their environment. We all have great things in us, we all have leadership qualities in us, we all have been blessed with different gifts. As we grow older, we need to understand that other people need those gifts. For older people, I think that they should be motivated to get involved with the community and with the youth and not be so quick to condemn our generation because of the generation gap. We all should embrace that responsibilty - we should all give our most important asset, our time to these young people. I try to lead by example - I’m invovled in so many programs, so many organizations. I’m working with the Boys/Girls club to screen the film for less fortunate people that cannot go to the movies.

BF: You went head-to-head and held your own. What was that process like? What was the first time you worked with Denzel?

NP: The first time I worked with Denzel was at the actual audition. We met and the second I met him, I said “hello,” he said “hello,” and I said “Shall we work?” I really wanted that whole encounter to be a reflection of my work and preparation and I wanted to exclude all fanfare. I don’t want him to feel like I was rooting for him or was someone coming to praise him. I think he respected my overall level of professionalism. Our first encounter was amazing because we read the audition and were flipping through the script and were reading off the page. It was an immediate connection for me. When he told me I had the job we went straight to our work. He said “You guys are my team” and we went to the back room and started studying immediately. It was a phenomenal experience.

BF: Who did you find more intimidating - Denzel, the actor or Denzel, the director.

NP: You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been intimidated by Denzel. I think that is more representative of the way he carries himself. It was a complete colloboration. I never felt that he was “Denzel,” the person we see. I think he always felt like more of a brother, friend, mentor. He never made me feel like I should be intimidated. So I never felt that way. From the moment I walked in, it was like ok, we have a job to do, this is the project. Let’s all bring together the things we’ve been selected for to make this project special. I never felt that heirarchy.

BF: Your character didn’t have too many on-screen appearances with Forest Whitaker. Were you able to have a chance to connect with him?

NP: Yeah, I connected with him very much so. But it was more off-set. I was inspired by his humility being that he is an Academy Award winner and one of the most amazing actors of our time. You don’t how to expect him to be because you don’t know how he’s going to be. From the moment I met him until the moment I last saw him, it was nothing but the most humility and integrity and dignity. It inspired me and I told him so.

BF: So I understand you were quite the college athlete - what do you think is more difficult, wrestling or debate?

NP: I think debate is more mentally demanding. Wrestling is a mental sport as well, but it’s a one-on-one sport. You prepare and you step into that circle and its you versus that other guy and all you have is the preparation you brought with you. With debate, its you against the preconceived ideas, the stereotypes, the differences. It’s you against all of these ideologies - it’s not one specific person. You’re task as a debater is to sway a mass of people. I think that’s the greatest thing you ask someone to do and the most difficult. You look at our leaders from the beginning - black, white, of all colors. They’ve all had that task and have gone on to become such important people. For me, debate is one of those things that you have to study and prepare and even through the preparation, nothing is guaranteed

BF: Throughout the whole process, through the beginning when you read the script up til the end now that it’s been critically acclaimed - Do you feel like the process is what you expected of it? Did Denzel, and Oprah and Harpo Films get out of the movie what they expected it be?

NP: Absolutely. Everything that I expected. I knew that this project was going to be special from the beginning. To be a part of it was the biggest of blessings. Working with these people, it was inspiring every moment - on set, off set. It motivated me to do more, to dig more, to want to know more. I left this project with a greater level of wisdom, knowledge of my history, of the plight of my people. Knowing that gave me more identity and more encouragement to do more things.

BF: On that note, what’s next for you? Can you tell us anything about the movie “Felon” that you’re shooting now?

NP: I finished Felon, it’s a film with Harold Perrineau, Val Kilmer, and Stephen Dorf. It’s a film about a guy sent to prison unjustly. I play a new recruit police officer that has to basically choose between the loyalty to the group of gentlemen I’ve met in the force and my morality - and the things that they’re doing and how it affects me. You know, we’re back to the drawing board. I want to make good films. I want to do things that speak to me. I want to look back on my career 35 years from now and be proud of the things I’ve done. As I would assume that Denzel does.

BF: We’re out of time, but I wanted to express my gratitude for you taking the time to speak to BuzzFocus.com. I really enjoyed your character in “The Great Debaters.”

NP: Absolutely, thank you for your time and thank you for your support of the film. Take care.