Director Barry Jenkins discusses If Beale Street Could Talk

November 29, 2018

DGA Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

The avenues and boulevards of Harlem come to life in Director Barry Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk.

Based on the acclaimed novel by James Baldwin, Jenkins’ film tells the story of Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne), a pregnant woman attempting to prove her husband's innocence following his imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit.

Following the DGA membership screening in New York on November 28, Jenkins sat down with Director Tom McCarthy (13 Reasons Why) to discuss the making of If Beale Street Could Talk. He also spoke about the film in a conversation moderated Director Paul Thomas Anderson (Phantom Thread) after the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on November 11.

In addition to If Beale Street Could Talk, Jenkins’ credits include the feature film Medicine for Melancholy; and episodes of the television series Dear White People and the forthcoming The Underground Railroad. In 2016, Jenkins was nominated for the DGA Award and the Academy Award for his feature Moonlight. He has been a DGA member since 2016.

You can listen to Jenkins' Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find more DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Marcie Revens (New York) and Byron Gamarro Los Angeles - Print courtesy of Annapurna Pictures.

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Director Barry Jenkins speaks about the making of his new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

KiKi Layne as Tish Rivers and Stephen James as Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt in Director Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk.

Director Barry Jenkins speaks about the making of his new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Barry Jenkins (right) speaks about the making of If Beale Street Could Talk with Director Tom McCarthy (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

An image from Director Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk.

Director Barry Jenkins (right) speaks about the making of If Beale Street Could Talk with Director Paul Thomas Anderson (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson (moderator) asks Director Barry Jenkins a question about the making of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Stephen James as Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt in Director Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk.

Director Tom McCarthy (moderator) asks Director Barry Jenkins a question about the making of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

The New York Theater audience hears Directors Barry Jenkins and Tom McCarthy (moderator) discuss the making of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk.

KiKi Layne as Tish Rivers and Stephen James as Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt in Director Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk.

The Los Angeles Theater audience hears Directors Barry Jenkins and Paul Thomas Anderson (moderator) discuss the making of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk.

Directors Paul Thomas Anderson (moderator) and Barry Jenkins pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk.

Regina King as Sharon Rivers in Director Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk.

Directors Tom McCarthy (moderator) and Barry Jenkins pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Jenkins’ new romantic drama, If Beale Street Could Talk.

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