Lenny Kravitz is a singer, songwriter, and producer and most recently an actor, debuting in his first acting role as a male nurse in the movie “Precious.” “Precious” is the winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
‘Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.’
“Precious” was shown at the 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) as the closing night film; and Lenny was present to talk about his role in the movie and about the film.
Before the movie was shown, Lenny had a few words to say, “You are in for an amazing evening. This film is something extra-ordinary; just get ready because you are going to feel it.’ He applauded the efforts of the screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher. “This man standing behind me, Geoffrey Fletcher is the brain man that wrote the screenplay.”

Lenny Kravitz at Bahamas International Film Festival's closing night.

Lenny talks about why he chose to do the film “Precious”
Lenny says that over the years he was presented with many films, but turned them all down because they did not appeal to him or his sense of creativity.
“It’s all about a name, they don’t really care if you are talented or not, unfortunately that’s the way a lot of things work in Hollywood; it’s about a name and hype and money. I was presented with many films over the past 20 years and I turned everything down because I did not feel as if it meant something to me, and creatively, if it was the right thing to do. I wasn’t going to make films just to make money, or to become a ‘movie star’. So I just said, ‘if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen’. But this happened and you know, God knows the plans, and here I am and it’s a new beginning for me. I’m still making music, but now I’m starting to do films. I’m appreciative, it’s a blessing.”

He compares an album release to the making of a feature film
When asked if there were comparisons to when an album comes out and it gets a lot of juice, if there is a different feeling when a film comes out?
“The thing about music albums and touring is that I’m so in it and there is a buzz. For an album if something is successful, I’m in the streets, I’m on tour, I’m doing a concert every night, and there are people in front of me. I can feel what’s going on. I kind of did this film and it went away. You know, I went back to Europe; I went on tour; so I’m here now in the Bahamas working on my next album, and I hear about what’s going on and I get phone calls about how well it’s doing – the Golden Globe nominations and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations – and it’s all amazing, but it’s something that is sort of in another world for me.”

Lenny on what he thinks people will take away from the film after seeing it:
Obviously, it’s all about hope; but the first thing that I always think about, and the thing that I mention to people, is look at how blessed your life is. You know, what do we really have to complain about? That’s how I see it.

Written by Erica Meus-Saunders
Published in Nu Woman Magazine’s Winter/Spring 2010 edition
Photo by Dwayne Delancy

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 10:30 pm and is filed under Bahamas International Film festival, Features/ Human interest stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.