The Help is an uplifting new movie about friendship and race that takes place in Mississippi in the 1960s.
The movie is based on the 2009 book The Help by Kathryn Stockett and now, it is finally coming to life on the big screen.
PHOTOS: Russell Simmons Reviews “The Help”
The Help is a powerful film with an all-star cast that you have to see when it arrives in theaters this Wednesday.
We had a chance to sit down with two of the stars in the movie, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain, to see how they felt about playing such opposing characters in such an important film.
GlobalGrind: You have to stress how important this movie is. Explain why this film is such a big deal.
Octavia: I think this movie is a big deal because I feel like it is the first time that this story has been told from this perspective. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of African-American maids from the dawn of time, but never have you heard our side of the story. I think it’s important beyond that, because I think it transcends race and it talks about the humanity with these characters.
Jessica: I had seen a lot of films about the Civil Rights Movement and this is the very first time that the light has been shown on this group of women. And I think it’s important for everyone to see that and I think we learn about ourselves through what happened in history and we should continue to look at ourselves today and wonder if we’ve made enough progress.
Watch the trailer below and click next to read more.
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Another cool thing about the movie is that it shows different types of women in real life situations. You can’t stress that enough when you talk about Hollywood and you talk about movies, the fact that we get to see women on screen with realistic portrayals.
Octavia: Let me tell you. I think Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’
I think all of these women are progressive trailblazers and if anybody goes to this film and doesn’t come away with a sense of empowerment, then I think they missed one of the messages of the film.
Jessica: She is so smart, that’s why we’re friends.
What’s another movie that you’ve watched before that totally moved you and why?
Octavia: Well, I have to say there are two, no three. Shawshank Redemption, Rosewood and Driving Miss Daisy.
That’s a nice three.
Octavia: I think the empowerment and the message from each film is important.
Jessica: Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple and the journey she makes in that movie where she has difficulty even showing her smile. She always covers it up until the end…
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Jessica Chastain plays Celia Foote in The Help.
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Octavia stars alongside Viola Davis in the new movie The Help.
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Jessica is dating the hottest bachelor in the movie The Help.
