By Zion Miles
The-Forty-Year-old Version Netflix star, filmmaker, and director Radha Blank spoke to Atlanta University Center students about her experiences as an actor and what this movie meant to her.
The-Forty-Year-Old Version is about a playwright trying to find her way in the world before the age of 40. She felt as though the only way she could get her voice heard was to become a rapper.
Throughout her life, Blank was trying to make way for herself in her hometown of New York. Many things didn’t go the way she wanted them to, so she decided to take a leap of faith and do things independently.
“There are so many talented people who don’t get the shine, get the spotlight. I think they’re looking for several things in a person. The talent, the drive, and determination,” Blank said.
Learning her will to never give up from her mom, Blank could kickstart her filmmaking career due to her determination.
“Nothing outside of you, even an award, should define your voice and the direction that you’re going in,” Blank stated.
Even though she didn’t attend film school, she was still able to access a community that helped her out.
Blank has been able to work alongside many people, Walter Mosely being one of them.
“Even as a director, I know a lot of people make a first film to break in the business, I’m actually kind of hoping to break away and start directing scripts that I write because it’s always been about the writing first for me,” Blank explained.
Although she has had many other opportunities in the media industry, this film shined a light on some of the things she went through in real life.
“It’s been really great, and I hope that it encourages Netflix to seek out more films like mine that are a little bit left of center,” she said.
Blank has opened so many doors and been an inspiration to those around the world. She said, “I do hope that the film in this special time of racial reckoning is a part of that conversation and is advancing that conversation.”
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