Letitia Wright in ”Aisha’. Photo: BBC Film.
Opening in theaters on May 10th is the new drama ‘’Aisha,’ which was directed by Frank Berry (‘Michael Inside’) and stars Letitia Wright (‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’) and Josh O’Connor (‘Challengers’).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Letitia Wright about her work on ‘Aisha’, her first reaction to the screenplay, why she wanted to be part of the project, her character, working with actor Josh O’Connor, making a smaller film after her MCU work, and collaborating with director Frank Berry on set.
Letitia Wright in ”Aisha’. Photo: BBC Film.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and what spoke to you about this story?
Letitia Wright: My first reactions to the screenplay of ‘Aisha’, I loved the simplicity of it, really. It was more about the internal dialogue of the character. It wasn’t filled with a lot of words, but it was about the situation that Aisha was going through, and it just felt like a piece that I could really stretch myself in and I could connect to the audience without words. It just had a simplicity about it. It was very powerful on its own, without too much stuff going on, and I really loved that, and it just intrigued me. I really wanted to be a part of it.
MF: Can you talk about your approach to the character and what were some of the aspects of Aisha you were excited to explore on screen?
LW: My approach to it was firstly, a lot of research into the provision system, a lot of research into the different stories that Frank put together to form Aisha’s story. I was really drawn to just how many women Aisha as a character represented in real life, and I really wanted to shed light on what was happening to them. Not just women, but men, children, family members, just trying to find a better life and find a new start. So, I was intrigued by that and I wanted to shed light on that with my talent.
Letitia Wright in ”Aisha’. Photo: BBC Film.
MF: Can you talk about the way Aisha is treated in this provision system and how she deals with it emotionally?
LW: With our story, we see that Aisha is kind of playing the waiting game, really. She wants the opportunity, just to live a normal full life and just to be given the access to resources and help that she needs to stand on her own two feet. I feel like our story just focuses on so many different people’s experiences and we’re trying to pick from each experience that we’ve been learning from. Frank did an extensive amount of research before writing the script, and I did too before stepping into the part. We’re just trying to shed light on what people are going through in the day-to-day lives of being in the provision system. It just opens your eyes to see the different ways the things that we can take for granted like being able apply for a job, and being able to travel, being able to provide for your family is something that in this system is hard to achieve. There are so many layers of those things happening all at once, just tracking with that person to see how they make it to the other side. It’s a system that’s put in place and they’re trying their best to manage what’s happening, but I feel like there’s ways for it to be improved and that’s what our movie is trying to shed light on. There is help, but also, it’s not the right type of help for some people. It just needs to be relooked, reshaped and allow people to leave the system to be a part of normal life. I feel like there’s such a big hold on people being able to continue their life after they’ve come through so much trauma, and they’re asking for help in a foreign place. They just want to step forward in life, and I feel like there is a section that keeps them behind, and I feel like that’s what our film’s trying to shed light on that.
MF: Can you talk about Aisha’s relationship with Conor and how that changes her life?
LW: I love their connection because it’s unexpected and I feel like Conor, his backstory is he’s come from the prison system and he’s trying to fix his life, and he sees something in her that she knows is there, but she’s just not in the right headspace to accept that love that he’s willing to give to her. I just think it’s a beautiful connection during the storm for her, and she’s trying to process how to navigate that, alongside her immigration matter that’s important to her.
(L to R) Letitia Wright and Josh O’Connor in ”Aisha’. Photo: BBC Film.
MF: What was it like working with Josh O’Connor and having him as a scene partner?
LW: It was easy. Josh is a great human being. He’s a great artist. He is great to work with, honestly. I have nothing to say, other than I really enjoyed his presence, and him being a great co-lead with me and just stepping back and allowing me to have what I need and reconnected when we needed to. He’s a very gentle and sincere artist. I really want to work with him again. He’s fantastic.
MF: Audiences are used to seeing you in big budget films like ‘Black Panther’ or ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ what was it like making a smaller, independent movie?
LW: Oh, very normal. It’s not a transition at all. I come from the independent world. I come from theater. Most of my CV is filled with that and TV as well, so I think if anything, it was a transition to be a part of a bigger franchise and world, and theater is where my first love is, in terms of getting to break apart stories in a unique way and a little bit more intimate, but I love both. I love independent theater. I love your big blockbusters that are great. When you get a great one, you love it, and I’m happy that I can navigate between the three.
Letitia Wright as Shuri in Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 Marvel.
MF: Finally, what was it like collaborating with director Frank Berry on set?
LW: I loved working with Frank. He is one of the most generous directors I’ve ever worked with. I’m very spoiled with the directors I’ve been able to work with, honestly. They’ve all been great. He’s sensitive. He listens. He’s in tune with what you’re feeling, and he just really allowed me to take ownership of this character. I one hundred percent think he’s one of my favorite directors. This process of making this project with him, I saw how he took it seriously to find out about the world he was telling, the research that went into it. I just really think Frank is one of a kind. He’s very special. I hope a lot of people get to work with him. He’s very picky about what he does, but I really hope that other actors can experience such a great soul being the leader of a project and collaborating with him. He’s great.
What is the plot of ‘Aisha’?
Nigerian refugee Aisha Osagie (Letitia Wright) develops a close friendship with former prisoner Conor Healy (Josh O’Connor). Their friendship, however, soon looks to be short lived as Aisha’s quest to be granted asylum in the Republic of Ireland comes under threat.
Who is in the cast of ‘Aisha’?
Letitia Wright in ”Aisha’. Photo: BBC Film.
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