Mamoudou Athie
The
“Patti Cake$” Interview
with
Kam Williams
Mamoudou's
Breakthrough Role!
Mamoudou
Athie is set to play opposite Brie Larson in her directorial
debut, Unicorn Store. He also can be seen in the recurring role of
Grandmaster Flash in “The Get Down,” a Netflix series created by
Baz Luhrmann.
Mamoudou
recently starred opposite Stockard Channing in “Me & Mean
Margaret,” a pilot for an NBC sitcom. On the big screen, he
appeared alongside Emma Watson and Tom Hanks in The Circle, a
suspense thriller based on Dave Eggers’ novel of the same name.
Mamoudou
received critical acclaim for his stage debut at New York's Lincoln
Center Theater opposite Diane Lane and Tony Shalhoub in The
Mystery of Love and Sex. Here, the graduate
of the Yale School of Drama discusses his new film,
Patti Cake$, an overcoming-the-odds
saga revolving around a Rubenesque, white rapper's (Danielle
Macdonald) quest for superstardom.
Kam
Williams: Hi
Mamoudou, thanks for the interview.
Mamoudou
Athie: Thank
you, Kam.
KW:
What interested you in Patti Cake$?
MA:
In
a nutshell, the script, the director and the character, particularly
meeting Geremy [writer/director Geremy Jasper]. I had a sense he was
going to make something special. I initially had reservations about
my character, Basterd, but I just couldn't get it out of my mind. And
the script is one of a kind, yet also familiar in a personal way. Had
me laughing aloud as well.
KW:
How
would you describe the film in 25 words or less?
MA:
It's a
glorious underdog story with wit, charm, and verve about the illest
rapper in Dirty Jerz [aka New Jersey], KIlla P [played by Danielle
Macdonald] with no holds barred stunts, high octane high speed car
chases, and superheroes galore. And we have 300 million Instagram and
Twitter followers.
KW:
How did
you approach playing Basterd? Did you base him on anybody?
MA:
Not
on any one particular person. I took something of a dim sum approach
to him. He's a mix of some people I grew up around, Geremy's
thoughts and influences, for sure, and Mickey Theis, a classmate of
mine from YSD [Yale School of Drama]. He's one of the most
beautifully sensitive actors I've ever worked with.
KW:
What
message do you think people will take away from the film?
MA:
Go
mother-[bleep]-ing hard!
KW:
Were
you surprised by the performance of your co-star, Danielle Madonald?
MA:
Nah,
I knew she'd totally slay it after I heard her first track. But when
I heard that first track, yes -- I was surprised. That was amazing!
KW:
The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song
you listened to?
MA:
May've
been "Stunt Queen" by Bloc Party or Arcade Fire's "Infinite
Content."
KW:
Ling-Ju Yen asks: What
is your earliest childhood memory?
MA:
I
don't know . It's kind of a medley, but what sticks out the most is
going to the park and zoo with my family and my holographic Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtle TV. It was half an inch and actually for my
action figures, but I loved it more.
KW:
Was
there a meaningful spiritual component to your childhood?
MA:
Sure!
KW:
Who
loved you unconditionally during your formative years?
MA:
My
family.
KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?
MA:
Eggs...
I'm lazy..
KW:
The
Morris Chestnut question: Was there any particular moment in your
childhood that inspired you to become the person you are today?
MA:
Again,
I'm not sure if there was one particular moment, but I'm almost
positive my parents have never lied while I've been alive. So they
certainly set the bar for morals. I've lied though. Sorry, Moppa.
KW:
Sherry
Gillam would like to know what is the most important life lesson
you've learned so far?
MA:
Hmm...
I can't say it's THE most important as it's hard to rate these
things, but certainly being honest is a good way to sleep well at
night. Learned that verrrrrry early. [Chuckles]
KW:
What
was your very first job?
MA:
Cutting
grass. I worked at the National Shrine in DC for a spell in 10th
grade.
KW:
When
you look in the mirror, what do you see?
MA:
Depends
on the day!
KW:
What's
the craziest thing you've ever done?
MA:
Sorry,
I didn't hear that question. Next!
KW:
If you
could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
MA:
Instant
worldwide utopia.
KW:
What is
your guiltiest pleasure?
MA:
Excess
napping and snacking. Shame.
KW:
Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone
would?
MA:
[LOL]
No.
That's funny to imagine, though. I'm thinking of a person in an
interview wondering, "I wish they'd ask me about this!"
while quietly fuming internally.
KW:
Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: With so many classic films being redone,
is there a remake you'd like to star in?
MA:
No!
There
are so many stories that have yet to be told. New content! Infinite
content!
KW:
Finally,
what’s in your wallet?
MA:
The
usual.
KW:
Thanks
again for the time, Mamoudou, and best of luck with Patti Cake$.
MA:
Thank
you so much, Kam.
To
see a trailer for Patti Cake$, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-591Dqa48g
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