kerry washington

December 1 - 7, 2008 25

By Davina Morris

WHAT would you do if you moved into a newarea, and your neighbour turned out to be apsycho police officer? This becomes thedilemma for newlyweds Chris and LisaMattson in new film, Lakeview Terrace.

In short, the Mattsons (Patrick Wilson andKerry Washington) move into a quietCalifornian cul-de-sac, but LAPD officer AbelTurner (Samuel L Jackson), disapproves of hisnew neighbours’ interracial marriage. A sternsingle father, Turner becomes increasinglyhostile to his neighbours, and things go frombad to worse as the Mattsons decide to fightback.

“There were a couple of things that drew meto this role,” says actress Kerry Washington,who has had roles in the films Ray and The LastKing of Scotland. “Firstly, I felt like I had neverseen this type of African American woman onscreen before; this culturally inclusive woman,who, I guess represents the Obama generationof racial inclusiveness and open-mindedness.So that was exciting for me.

“In addition, I was really drawn to anothertheme of the film, which is the misuse ofpower. What do you do when the personwho’s supposed to keep you safe, is the personwho’s causing you the most harm? How doyou handle that?”

Samuel L Jackson is certainly intriguing asthe veteran Los Angeles police officer. Inaddition, there’s something about his cockyattitude in this film that’s quite sexy. (He’s oldenough to be my father and so I am a tadembarrassed by that statement.)

“It’s true,” Washington exclaims. (Phew! It’snot just me.)

“That’s that typical bad guy thing. SamJackson does that so well in this film. And not

only does he play a bad boy, he plays acharming bad boy. That’s very effective.”

Sexy swagger aside, Turner launches anescalating series of pranks and insults againsthis neighbours. And as the film develops, itbecomes clear that Turner’s motive is a bitterresentment at seeing a black woman marriedto a white man.

You could say that this role for Washingtonis a case of art imitating life, as the actress waspreviously engaged to white actor, DavidMoscow. The pair split last year, after fouryears of being together. While Washingtonrefrained from discussing the intimate detailsof their relationship, “out of respect for him,”she revealed that any partner she’s chosen hasraised somebody’s eyebrows.

“In my life, no matter who I’ve chosen to bewith, not everyone has liked it,” she says.“Sometimes it’s literally been because theperson’s profession wasn’t good enough. Idon’t think any relationship I’ve been in hasbeen immune from other people’s judgement.”

And yet, Washington has a certain amountof understanding for Turner’s prejudice.

“I think one of the things that’s so elegantabout the film is that we have some insightinto what motivates his behaviour. I thinkthat’s important. Some people have thesehang-ups and these sentiments because they’recoming from experiences that are much moreintense than people of my generation can evencomprehend. I think it’s important toremember that people’s behaviour ismotivated by their own personal history.That’s not to excuse certain behaviour. But byknowing what motivates a person’s actions, itenables you to put people’s behaviour intocontext.”

One wonders if Washington received anybad vibes from black guys, who assumed thatshe wasn’t ‘into’ black men.

“No, I didn’t… Well if there was that, Ididn’t notice it,” she laughs. “But what I didget when I became single again, was a lot ofexcitement from friends who were glad I wasback on the market so they could try and fixme up with all sorts of people! That washilarious. I should probably write a movieabout that.”

Currently single but “dating”, doesWashington see marriage in her future?

“Who knows? I thought it was! But I don’tknow. Right now, I’m finding it reallyinteresting to resist the impulse to be in amonogamous relationship. I just want to keepgrowing and learning more about myself.”

� Lakeview Terrace is in cinemas from December5 through Sony Pictures

IN CINEMAS FRIDAYw w w . s e c r e t l i f e o f b e e s m o v i e . c o . u k

DON’T MISS THE MOVIE SENSATIONTHAT HAS U.S. AUDIENCES BUZZING!

“Moving and memorable...

performances all round.”MARK ADAMS, SUNDAY MIRROR

film: Stateside star

Not everything’sblack and whiteArt imitates life as Kerry Washington plays awoman facing judgment over her interracialrelationship

Honest: KerryWashington

Tense: (l-r) Samuel L Jackson,Patrick Wilson and Kerry

Washington

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