For every person holding up a pro-choice sign on the street is a parent who grieved a third-trimester loss.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Listen, as you mention those things, it seems just a part of the journey now.
[It] no longer feels like an obstacle.
But the idea of the way I look at it now, it’s beautiful.
I definitely appreciate those words.
Well, it’s one of those things you don’t have to look far to find.
Friends, family, people that you even work with are dealing with these immigration issues.
In the headlines, in the political conversations, issues like immigration get so big.
We forget that story.
Human rights get blurred.
That’s the problem.
It’s something that we definitely speak about in an entertaining way, though.
That’s the thing.
This movie is one of those, [not] a documentary, no.
Obviously, you’re also bringing attention to a very real issue.
But tell me a little bit about walking that line between fact and horror fiction.
What was that like?
It [happens through] imagination.
That’s what this story gives you [it asks] “Is it too far-fetched?”
That’s where the imagination comes in.
These are serious actors.
What was the production experience like, and what it was like working with him and this ensemble cast?
It was cool, man.
We got to shoot in Spain for three and a half months.
Need I say more?
Now, I don’t speak Spanish, and … the entire crew, everyone spoke Spanish.
We all are just living [and] learning life at the same time, which was really dope.
It was such an incredible time from the cast to production to the crew.
Then you bring in someone like Eric Dane, who we’ve all seen on television for years now.
What was that dynamic like?
I’ve worked with everybody from Denzel [Washington] to Sir Ben Kingsley.
I really look at this thing as a sport, so it’s another elite athlete coming to play.
That makes it always fun.
You get to bounce off of that.
Those are the days you circle on the calendar.
Let me confirm I bring it.
That’s the energy that I like to have when I’m starring opposite anybody.
Tracy Morgan, Denzel Washington, Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson these are huge people.
What’s it been like to work with them?
Did they give you any advice in your earlier years that has helped you get to this point?
That’s the education that you’ll find, especially coming from someone … Now, how do you manage all of that?
That’s what I’ve learned the most.
Have you had any fun interactions or behind-the-scenes stories that have stood out to you?
Somehow I was there when this happened.
I’m like, “Oh my God, I was there.”
I got a bunch of those.
That’s a huge, amazing cast.
We were all [mind-blown] because this is regular life to her.
We all sat in awe like, “Wow.”
Like, “What?
For real, that was your Christmas?
My Christmas tree was sad.
“You had carolers in the living room?
I didn’t have a living room no, I’m kidding.
That was just her telling her story as we were.
That was beautiful, and also hilarious and profound to me, and one of my most memorable moments.
It’s a live performance for me.
I’m performing for the crew that is there.
That is my first immediate sign if it’s funny or not.
That’s the best tell, especially when you have people that have been staring at you all day.
That is what I learned and mastered in this particular character.
How will Allen celebrate the release of American Carnage?
The film drops on Friday how are you going to celebrate?
I’m going to have a little private screening at the house.
I’ll have friends and family over to watch it.
That’d definitely be the agenda for Friday, and I hope everybody else goes out and enjoys it.
It’s so nice to be able to go to the movie theaters.
It’s such a great experience.
Knock on wood, right?
I’ll be at the theaters this weekend.
This interview was edited for clarity.
