Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Nickel Boys’ Director RaMell Ross on Making the Film and Being Open to Working With Marvel Producers ‘Willing to Challenge Their Beliefs’
RaMell Ross has something to say. With his latest film, “Nickel Boys,” the co-writer and director solidifies his reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most daring storytellers. Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film unearths the haunting realities of a fictionalized reform school, blending visceral storytelling with an experimental approach that has captured the attention of cinephiles.
Known for his Academy Award-nominated documentary “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” Ross’ unique lens, challenges the conventions of how stories about Black lives are told — and received. In a candid conversation on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Ross reflects on the symbolism in “Nickel Boys,” the film industry’s treatment of Black stories, his dream collaborators, and the surprising possibility of working on a Marvel movie.
More from Variety
Listen below:
Ross describes “Nickel Boys,” which had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, as more than a conventional narrative; it’s “an experiential monument.” By employing first-person point-of-view shots and intertwining timelines, he creates what he calls a “cinematic sculpture,” inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the story. “The film gives you the opportunity, if you let go, to participate in the visual world and the meaning-making process of two boys in a harrowing situation,” Ross explains.
This innovative approach stems from his belief in the importance of form. “For the production of Blackness via the cinema form, the form itself is the content,” he says. For Ross, it’s not just about telling a story but about using cinema to reshape how audiences engage with history.
Ross is no stranger to the industry’s biases. He acknowledges the systemic challenges faced by films that address Black experiences, particularly those that deviate from conventional storytelling. “There’s this preconception that people don’t want to see interesting things,” he remarks. “Because this film gets rejected, or this film isn’t embraced, it’s easy to become an echo chamber for big studios.”
Despite these challenges, Ross remains optimistic. The success of “Nickel Boys” on the awards circuit, including its Golden Globe nomination, reflects a shift in how audiences and critics can engage with films about Black life. But for Ross, it’s about more than accolades. “I really hope people approach it and look at the bigger picture of what cinema is and where it’s going,” he says.
Casting the film’s young leads, Ethan Herrise and Brandon Wilson, was a transformative experience. Ross describes them as “remarkable” and likens their dynamic to iconic duos. “Jocelyn [his co-writer] and I would say, ‘This is Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte. They are them,’” he shares with pride.
Ross also adds love and praise to Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who is nominated for a Critics Choice Award for her stunning performance.
The film’s first-person POV shots added a layer of complexity to the production, requiring innovative camera techniques and close collaboration between the actors and the crew. “We built four camera systems for dealing with it,” Ross explains, detailing how they used remote controls and choreographed movements to achieve the intimate perspective.
While “Nickel Boys” tackles difficult subject matter, Ross emphasizes that it’s not “torture porn.” Instead, he aims to offer a fresh way of exploring trauma and resilience: “People are ready for the next version of exploring trauma, the next version of dealing with ongoing narratives.”
Ross hopes the film sparks a deeper understanding of history and its lingering impacts. “It’s the history that can’t quite be erased. It’s about taking history into your body in a way that feels genuinely experiential.”
When asked about the possibility of directing a blockbuster, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ross surprises with his openness. “If you’d asked me before ‘Nickel Boys,’ I would’ve said no,” he admits. But his experience with supportive producers on this project changed his perspective. “I’d be open to working with producers willing to challenge their beliefs about how meaning can be made,” he says.
While the idea of Ross helming a superhero film may seem far-fetched, his approach to storytelling could bring new depth to the genre if studios were so inclined. “Ideas are always the source of the work. The form needs to emerge from the idea, not be top-down.”
With “Nickel Boys,” RaMell Ross doesn’t just tell a story — he reshapes how stories about Black lives are told, reminding us of the power of film to confront, challenge, and ultimately transform.
Also on this episode, writer and director Jesse Eisenberg discusses his new film “A Real Pain” and working with actor Kieran Culkin.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
