We had the amazing opportunity to interview Justine Warrington about her upcoming role in the Lionsgate film Dragged Across Concrete.
Hi, Justine! Thank you for granting the interview. Congrats on your role as Cheryl in the upcoming Lionsgate feature Dragged Across Concrete. Describe the film to us, what should the audience expect to see?
Thank you for the interview! Dragged Across Concrete is a crime drama. An explosive, dark film Directed & Written by S. Craig Zahler (BONE TOMAHAWK, BRAWL IN CELLBLOCK 99). The film follows two police detectives (played by Mel Gibson & Vince Vaughn) who get caught up in a bank heist gone awry along with an ex-convict (Tory Kittles), his childhood friend (Michael Jai White), a very scary sociopathic criminal (Thomas Kretschmann) and his evil sidekicks.
Audiences should expect to see a highly original and exquisitely shot film that explores relatable, contentious, and compelling themes including family, poverty, violence, racism, crime, and desperation. Audiences can expect magnificent performances from Mel, Vince, Tory, and the entire supporting cast. Audiences can expect to be entertained, to quite possibly have their feathers ruffled, and to be inspired in unexpected ways. I use the word “inspired” as a bit of an understatement here. The film provokes a lot of feeling. I’m speaking for myself when I say this, based on my own experience working on the project and seeing the film numerous times on screen. I’m also speaking of the reactions I’ve been reading from the press and from viewers. It’s exciting and really quite momentous how this film is being received, especially considering its as yet limited theatrical run. The film is provocative and downright unapologetic – which frankly I appreciate in storytelling. Audiences can also expect to groove hard on the original 70s-inspired soul soundtrack, written by Jeff Herriott & Zahler, featuring the O’Jays and Butch Tavares. I’m already totally in love with the music in this film – which by the way is placed just perfectly in situ.
Tell us about Cheryl. Who is she? What is her personality like?
Cheryl is an employee at the Bank of Bulwark. She is happily married with young children. She loves her family dearly and she enjoys her job at the bank. Cheryl is a people-person. She is friendly and kind and she has a big heart. She has a special talent for baking delicious cupcakes that she is always proud to share for any special occasion.
Is she the “damsel in distress” or a kick butt, powerhouse?
Both. Yet I’m sure many viewers may likely only see the damsel in distress part. Her desperate circumstances place Cheryl in an impossible position; one that requires complete and utter compliance, or unfathomable consequences. Ultimately, Cheryl is a person who will do anything to protect her family. She is put to the ultimate test.
Was it a challenge to play Cheryl? Did you have to undergo any special training?
Playing Cheryl was likely the most challenging work I have done on the screen to date – for many reasons. Certainly up there with the most vulnerable, intimidating, exciting, and mind-blowing. Not only because of the specific work that was required, but also because of the actors I was playing opposite. It’s hard to remain calm and collected about the epic legends of cinema I share the screen within this film. Simply put: LEGENDARY! It was a great challenge and a great honor to work with all of my incredible co-stars.
As an actor telling this particular story, it was an interesting challenge to explore these extreme life and death stakes that Zahler put my character in.
I did receive a bit of firearms training on set. Apart from that, my special training involved listening to some heavy metal music to get me in the zone for some of the darker scenes (insert devil horns here).
In your opinion, what makes Cheryl special to the movie?
Without giving away too much, Cheryl is special to the movie because she is instrumental in a pivotal action scene that changes the course of events for many of the characters involved – most especially Anthony (Vince Vaughn), Ridgeman (Mel Gibson), and Henry Johns (Tory Kittles). Cheryl is a surprise and a catalyst. I also think that Cheryl is, in a metaphorical sense, a touchstone of the sacred feminine (as is Jennifer Carpenter’s character) and a touchstone of our humanity. An innocent bystander who gets caught up in such a dark and deadly event evokes an unusual blend of abhorrence, pity, outrage, and compassion. If Cheryl weren’t in the story at the time and place that she is, it would just be a bunch of tough guys going at it – and that particular part of the story may not have the gravitas it does, with an innocent woman involved.
How does the production bring something new to this type of genre?
Well…seeing as I am not your typical consumer of this type of genre, I’ll have to parrot the cinephiles and uberfans of crime/noir and say that this film offers a deeper version of the genre experience. I’ve heard it said that the character development is more in-depth and perhaps the stakes more relatable, which ultimately leads to a heavier impact for the audience.
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite part of the movie and why?
So many favorite parts! I have to choose two parts because they are both moments that slew me when I read the script and then slain me even more once I saw the actors bring said moments to life. First: Vogelman (Thomas Kretschmann) with the analog sound device. Second: The standoff moment later in the film between Henry Johns (Tory Kittles) and Ridgeman (Mel Gibson). There is a dialogue between them that is so…umm…well…you have to experience it for yourself. Their delivery is everything. Okay, and my third favorite moment is the moment between my character Cheryl and Vince Vaughn’s character Anthony.
Do you have any on-set stories you can share with us?
I have a hilarious merkin story – but I can’t share that or my Mom would be appalled. Simply by saying this however, more people will find out what merkins are, so my work is done. You’re welcome.
What did you enjoy most about working on the film?
Oh goodness, so many things! It was a real joy working on this production: the cast! the writing! the process! Working with Zahler and watching him work! Dallas and Amanda (Cinestate) are stellar. Thomas Kretschmann (of whom I’m a huge fan) was really fun to work with and provided a lot of much-needed comic relief that I was grateful for during the long, dark night-shoots and all-around difficult shooting situations. Barb our script supervisor and Lisa and Ceilidh my makeup peeps were beyond wonderful, as were our special effects makeup guys. Fred Melamed was simply a gift to work with. We had long chats at the bank and he inspired me greatly. I learned a lot from Tory, Jennifer, and Michael Jai. Am I missing anyone? Brian the sound guy!
Finally, getting to work directly with Mel and with Vince, and watching them work, was one of those pinch-me moments that I will never, ever, forget. Masters at work.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about the film?
Yes. I am incredibly proud of this film and everyone involved. It’s got kahunas. Furthermore, Zahler retaining final cut of the film is a wonderful thing: What I read on paper is what is on the screen. The moments that deeply affected me when I read the script are there in cinematic form – fleshed out by these magnificent actors. Witnessing that for the first time sitting in the audience at the Venice film festival was a moment that I will carry with me always. When the lights came up and I sat there amongst our cast and crew, I said: “Yep. That’s the story. That’s what I signed up for.” What a ride.
Do you have any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I do indeed! We are just in post-production for a little indie film, written and directed by Sara Anne Mitchell, that I produced and also star in opposite JR Bourne. It’s a quirky heartfelt story about two strangers who accidentally meet while squatting in the same abandoned house. We’ll be submitting to festivals later this year.
I also have a fun role in Wayne Roberts’ latest feature film THE PROFESSOR (formerly Richard Says Goodbye), starring Johnny Depp. It’s a darkly funny, irreverent, heartfelt story about death or about dying. Or maybe more truly it is about truly living. We celebrated the world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival last October and it’s due to be released this year. I love Wayne’s writing; he was a pure delight to work with as a director. Working with Johnny was beyond a dream come true – and quite simply the most fun I’ve ever had working on a film. So much fun it should be illegal.
Justine on social media: Twitter & Instagram: @justwarr.
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