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Oftentimes, with each new home comes a new school, so every day is really a survival.
That was the moment where I just thought,How on earth are they managing?
And I wanted to make a story aboutthat.
And to me what that has to do with is, fundamentally, she feels lost.
She does not feel powerful, and she does not feel meaningful.
And thats a feeling I think almost everybody can understand, what it feels like to face the unknown.
It was actually my mentor at Columbia, the director Ramin Bahrani, who said, I dont understand.
You have a bunch of sisters and your co-writer has a bunch of sisters.
Why is this about a sister and a brother?
Was finding financing your biggest challenge?For sure, which was not surprising, unfortunately.
The fact that we even use the term female filmmaker is unfortunate.Right.
And the problem with that is that then you become neutral, and then that becomes harder to finance.
Because people say, Oh, you know what?
First of all in the hiring.
But how do you get more experience if you cant get hired in the first place?
So people in power need to take more risks and be excited instead of discouraged by that risk.
Because they get to be part of the solution.
It amazes me that this is Tatum Marilyn Halls first film.
Shes so funny and natural and her chemistry with Dominique felt so authentic.
We auditioned about 1,000 girls … Then they met Tatum at a step competition in the Bronx.
Or maybe its just not an honest line of dialogue.
Youve been working steadily for years.
Yet somehow found the time to earn your M.F.A.
and become a mom.
You must be the worlds greatest multitasker.No, Im the biggest procrastinator!
I just dont sleep, and I dont take very good care of myself.
I look around and I see people with more than one kid and it baffles me.
Are you anxious to get behind the camera again?
That to me is totally mystifying.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
