Oh, we're in Toronto. It's snowing outside. I'm with one of my best friends in the whole world David Oyelowo. We're very, very thrilled that the film was recognized. What a morning. 

 

What a morning, indeed. And David, congratulations to you as well with your nomination. And I'm telling you, it could not have been easy to play an icon like Martin Luther King Jr., but you David did it brilliantly. You must be very pleased as well this morning. 

 

Thank you. I'm really grateful for you saying that. Yes. I'm very, very excited. And you know, it was a long journey to getting this made. It's just so gratifying that people are seeing it, enjoying it, that we get to celebrate this great man, this great movement. And as we all know, it's a very timely time for this film. So there's just so much about it that I feel blessed about. 

 

You certainly must wish this movie were coming out tomorrow given how closely it hues to things that are going on right now. 

 

Well, you know, if there's one thing I have learned about this movie, is that its timing has been pretty perfect. I think the fact that this film is very much in the X, and people are going to be, I hope anyway, anticipating of seeing it. We just cannot wait to share it with the world. And we just hope they'll embrace it as it has been embraced by us. 

 

And Ava, there are many directors that took on the project and for whatever reason they left the project. You stayed on it. You came on. And everyone felt that once you became a part of it. What was it about this story that resonated with you that you said has to be told? 

 

Well, you know, I mean, the fact there hadn't been a major motion picture with Dr. King at the center since X began has seemed criminal. I'm not sure why it was the case, but you know, for some reason that came together when the right group of people came on board. I’m so thankful to producers, including X cast member, Oprah Winfrey, and David, the whole team. They wanted this film made now, so perhaps that's why it took so long. But the moment is now and we are thrilled.