*As Black History Month continues, TV One is geared up to air its original film “Behind the Movement,” the story behind how Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white person sparked the historic Montgomery bus boycotts in December of 1955.
The film stars Meta Golding as Rosa Parks (“The Hunger Games”), Isaiah Washington as Edgar E.D. Nixon (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Loretta Devine as Jo Ann Robinson (“Waiting to Exhale”).
Recently, stars convened on the red carpet for the advanced screening at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.
Following the screening, before a packed house of attendees, the actors discussed their roles in the film and also spoke about what the film means in present day America.
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Golding said she was nervous playing Parks because she wanted to do the civil rights icon justice.
“When I got the role at first I was shocked. It was a little terrifying because Mrs. Parks meant so much to so many people,” she said. “[Aside from her not giving up her seat on the bus], I didn’t know that much about her. I didn’t know before she refused to give up her seat that she was a seasoned activist. I learned that she was a prolific author. I read all of her books, all of the biographies and I pulled those archival videos so I could hear how she sounded. I learned that Mrs. Parks was a woman of extreme faith and she talked about how her faith gave her the courage to do what she did, so I tried to picture her from a spiritual perspective.”
Isaiah Washington got the crowd energized as he talked about how the film serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those civil rights leaders and what it takes to affect change.
“I’m ready, I’ve been ready and a lot of people are not ready. Everybody is playing at it but we are under siege, he said.”
After sharing an illustration from the movie “12 Years A Slave,” He continued:
“What Willie Lynch has done to us, that was by design. So, I empathize with those [who I ask] to stick their neck out,” Washington said. “But, what I really enjoyed about the film and touching all the stones and train stations in Montgomery, is I saw the signs that said those who stick their neck out, like Rosa Parks and Dixon, that’s the only way that we are going to get change. I’m not expecting everyone to follow, but If you are going to benefit from those who stick their neck out, we have to honor that and have some reverence for them.”
“Our value is not what we have in our bank account. Our value is how we use what we have to make change, Washington said..”
“Behind the Movement” premieres on TV One on Sunday, February 11th at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT.
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