Director of Selma Reveals Meeting with Oprah was “Weird” and “Awkward”
Ava DuVernay must be having the time of her life but, it wasn’t so easy for her when ‘Selma’ was in pre-production. DuVernay recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter, that her first experience meeting Oprah Winfrey was “awkward and weird”.
“I was not myself around her for a year. I was weird and awkward,” she says — to trusted partnership, as Winfrey took on the role of producer (and co-star) in their lauded best picture nominee Selma. The two now are embarking on their next shared venture, a dramatic series for OWN, Queen Sugar, in which Winfrey also will star. “The series is about reinvention, self-discovery and calm in times of chaos — themes I was attracted to before Selma,” says DuVernay. “Also, all the best people working in film today are now working in TV. [Steve] McQueen, [David] Fincher …” Chimes in Winfrey with a smile, “And DuVernay.”
Selma had four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Actor, and won for Best Original Song. It also garnered nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards.
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