Robert Kojder chats with Ariana DeBose about her role in the new sci-fi thriller I.S.S….
With a background in Broadway and dancing, Ariana DeBose burst onto the Hollywood scene in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, eventually taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in a much-deserved win. She stood out as such a phenomenal, transfixing presence in that film that I naturally anticipated whatever projects she would participate in next. Some of those have come out recently (she was a part of Disney’s animated feature Wish), and now there is I.S.S., a straightforward, moderately effective thriller exploring what happens when politics invade the space station as part of a power struggle following an eruption of unknown conflict on earth.
Films like this don’t typically center women or persons of color in the lead roles, which both made me more interested in taking up the opportunity to talk to her for this project, but also excited that she is getting these roles. She delivers another solid performance here, so again, it’s all deserved. The rest of her acting slate for 2024 is filled with blockbuster titles, and we do get into talking about her exciting future.
It was a joy to talk to her about the conditions in which this film was made, ISS life, representation, depicting the space station, the individual challenges she faced during shooting, and how that dancing background comes into play during zero gravity sequences. Enjoy the interview below, and be on the lookout for Ariana DeBose to pop up all over Hollywood temples this year
There’s a strict no-politics rule aboard the ISS, but did you ever discuss politics on set?
In casual conversation, we would discuss politics here and there, but it was more to the point of trying to understand each other’s culture and why those choices are made. We made this film during the pandemic, actually, so there were many safety protocols in place, so we had to be kind of in a pod with each other, both on and off set. So that meant that we were kind of free to discuss anything. It was really helpful in the context of getting clarity both culturally for myself as an individual human and as Dr. Foster.
I haven’t seen many movies set in space led by a Puerto Rican woman. So can you talk about how being a part of a project like this and how taking a step forward in diversity and representation feels to you?
When I said yes to the project, I hadn’t really thought of it in those terms. I made this movie right after West Side Story and then The Prom, and this was the next feature that I got the opportunity to make. I did realize that I didn’t feel like I’d ever seen a character that looked like me necessarily in space if it wasn’t, you know, Star Trek because I’m a big fan of Michelle Hurd. But I think allowing my own identity in various ways to inform this character and the experience of this character is definitely helpful, especially with the themes of this film. Dr. Kara Foster is an American astronaut, and it’s really nice to see a woman of color representing America in this way.
If you had to board the ISS for real, what would you take with you as something to help unwind and relax?
Ooh, I’m a music person. From my research, iPods die up there, so I’d probably revert back to the Walkman and make sure I had some really good mix tapes.
Do you know what would be on those mix tapes?
I have very varied, varied tastes, so everything from Prince to Joni Mitchell. There’s a great artist named Eleri Ward that I love. She sings really cool interpretations of Sondheim music. I also love classical music, which is very relaxing, and I think in a claustrophobic space, you need to relax, so that.
Was there any scene that was more challenging to shoot than the rest?
I have a tiny fear of heights, so in the scene where you see Dr. Foster float up into the cupola, where she first sees what she describes as volcanic eruptions, I was quite high in the air. That was challenging for me, but, it was all good. I had a safe word with my director, so if I started to have an anxiety attack, I would say, please lemme down for a minute.
Also, I know you have a background in dancing. Are there any similarities to that when it comes to acting out zero gravity?
It was very helpful. We achieved the simulation of zero gravity by working in harnesses. So I was harnessed and then there were two tethers, so I had to balance my body weight to either be upright or down in all different positions. As we’re floating through space, knowledge of where my limbs are at any given time was definitely helpful, especially when it came to manoeuvring around my colleagues.
Did you have any freedom to flesh out your character further, or did you stick to everything that was on the page?
From my recollection, we stuck to what was on the page for her, and I stand by that because what was really important to this film were the decisions that she made in the moment. I didn’t feel that her past history was necessarily highly informative or going to be informative or important to the viewer regarding why she was making the decision she was making at the moment. And I thought since we were in the suspense genre, what you do discover about her character and why she is on the ISS would be enough to sort of continue us further along the journey. I did really enjoy playing her circumstances in the now as opposed to being more focused on what had happened in her past.
From a production design standpoint, what was your favorite aspect about being aboard that Space station?
I found many, many things fascinating about our production design. It was very close to replicating what and how the actual ISS feels and functions. So I was fascinated by how much Velcro there is on the ISS. I know that sounds silly, but half the time, some really important things, contraptions, are literally stuck to a wall with Velcro.
I didn’t know that, but that is interesting.
I was like, wow, really, this very important bit of technology that is probably keeping me alive is stuck to the wall with Velcro!?
I only have two minutes left, so I will end things with a different kind of question. If you could reunite with Steven Spielberg on any project, what would you want to do together?
Oh, wow! That’s a big question, sir. I actually loved The Post.
That’s a great movie.
It’s a great movie. So if Steven ever had an idea for another film, maybe in that vein, that, but that really kind of centered a woman of color, I would be there in a minute.
The rest of the year will be big for you. Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
Yeah, so this year, Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle is a spy extravaganza coming out in February.
I’m seeing that soon!
Oh, good! I hope you have fun with it. The bigger the spy, the bigger the lie! There’s a great ensemble cast. And then later this year, I’m hearing that Kraven the Hunter, the Sony Marvel film starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, myself, and Russell Crowe will be coming out. I play Calypso. So, we will discover what she’s all about together. There’s also a film called House of Spoils, where I play a chef, directed by Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole, which should be coming out as well. So yes, it sounds like a big year.
And all those people are lucky to be working alongside you.
Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
Of course! Thank you for your thoughtful questions.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of I.S.S. here
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com.
