It’s a lesser known corner from American history, yet one of its most inspirational stories. The life of the extraordinary Harriet Tubman arrives in British cinemas on Friday in the shape of Kasi Lemmon’s Harriet, the story of an escaped slave who went on to free hundreds more like her in the Southern states of America during the second half of the 19th century. Her determination and tenacity ultimately helped change the course of history.
The film features a star-making turn from Cynthia Erivo in the title role and, in the interview below, she talks about the physical demands of the role as well as her reactions to the increasing Oscar buzz surrounding her performance.
Her co-star Joe Alwyn looks back to his debut on the big screen, under the direction of no less than Ang Lee, and the relationship between his character, the slave owner Gideon, and Harriet as well as looking forward to his appearance in the second part of Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir.
Related: Harriet review
And director Kasi Lemmons reveals why she believed Harriet Tubman’s story needed to be turned into a film, as well as recalling how one sequence was shot on a plantation where a thousand slaves had once worked.
Harriet is released in cinemas on Friday, 22 November.
