Octavia Spencer & Jessica Chastain Interview For ‘The Help’

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times. Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change. The likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Lowell, Mike Vogel, David Oyelowo, Anna Camp, Sissy Spacek, Ahna O Reilly, Allison Janney and Jessica Chastain also star. ‘The Help’ hits US cinemas August 12th, and UK cinemas October 28th. Check out what Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain had to say about the film below.

The book is so popular, it seems to have touched so many people.

Octavia Spencer: I think the fact that it is opening channels for intelligent discourse on race relations, and human relations, the way we treat each other, I think that is why it has such broad appeal – and that it has become so huge. Because people relate to it on a more personal level than it just being a civil rights book. When I read it I clearly saw that it was a book set in the 1960’s, yet what I loved about it were the relationships between the women, the civil rights was the backdrop of how do we get these people to interact, how do we have the tension, how do we have these heroines overcome the odds? That’s what I think is beautifully done.

Jessica, how did you get the part of Celia?

Jessica Chastain: I got the script through my manager at a really early stage, I thought, “Oh my gosh, Celia is great!” (Laughs) I loved this character, it was an uphill battle because I’m not the obvious choice to play that character, I’m not buxom and blonde, I’m really not that perfect for the part (laughs). It was quite a uphill battle. But with my very first audition I met Octavia Spencer and we read together – it was like fireworks, I really felt like the dynamic of Minny and Celia could work really well. Tate Taylor, the director, he really went to bat for me. He always believed in me, he believed that I could find her. He helped me transform physically, I got to gain some weight (laughs), I got to drive all around Mississippi, to see where Celia was from, I read a lot about Marylyn Monroe. I did so much to find this woman. Tate Taylor was the one who really gave me that opportunity, he fought for me tooth and nail to get the part.

The setting for the film, Mississippi, was like an additional character for me.

Jessica Chastain: It’s so important for me to shoot on location, if possible. There’s something you get from the energy of the world, the same with costumes. We filmed it in Mississippi, I was wearing these girdles from the 1960’s (laughs). Then being in Mississippi, in that heat, it can’t help but change the way you move, the way you talk, the way your skin sort of glistens, everything is slower. If you’re in a sound studio in Los Angeles, it’s harder to find that energy. Mississippi was absolutely a character in this film. Also the wonderful thing about filming in Greenwood Mississippi was that everyone was so supportive and really excited we were there. There was some big fans of the book about. We had a lot of dinners together, we were meeting locals. It was a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in that Mississippi vibe.

Minny is such a great character….

Octavia Spencer: The sass comes easily….unfortunately (laughs). The vulnerability that…..to be honest I have a really difficult time when people see vulnerability, and obviously so does Minny. The one person initially who gets to see that is Aibileen, but she doesn’t like to show Aibileen that side of her. The person who sees through all the bravado is Celia. Minny was great to play.

Viola Davis is just fantastic as Aibileen.

Viola Davis: It could have been a very different film if it were anyone else in the role of Aibileen. Tate has always loved Viola Davis, we had several conversations about who could do that part. He always comes back to the sheer gravity that woman shows on screen – she’s just so so brilliant. There’s a sweetness and dry wit to her, I think what she done for Aibileen was remarkable.

What themes really hit home for you with this film?

Jessica Chastain: I think it is a film that speaks to women, but I also think it’s bigger than that. I think it speaks to the underdog. We’ve all, at some point been the underdog. It really speaks to you to find your voice and stand up for what you believe – to use your voice. The movies about all women, that with the love of each other, with Minny’s help Celia learns how to stand up to people, realise that she doesn’t have to try to be something that she’s not. I hope people will see the film and it inspires them to fight for what they believe in, be true to who they are, and really find their voice – because I think that’s the most powerful thing we have.