Promotion of AZiah Zola King's The Story, the hardbound printed edition of the Twitter thread that inspired Zola's tweets, A24 features the author alongside undisputed greats such as Homer, John Milton and William Shakespeare. Anyone who has followed @_zolarmoon's 2015 account about a Florida hoe trip that went sour would know this is not hyperbole. Like The Bard King, King is a brilliant wordsmith (introducing phrases such as lost in the sauce or pussy is worth thousands) and an avid observer. He is also a skilled storyteller who can make gold from the mundane and the overlooked. Like all three of their literary predecessors, Kings' work has been adapted and interpreted by other artists. Janicza Bravo, her cowriter Jeremy O. Harris and a talented troupe of actors have all breathed life into Kings chronicle about that fateful trip in Zola.AdvertisementZola is played by Ma Raineys Black Bottoms Taylour Payge, who plays her with an unwavering side-eye. This is the undisputed breakout role of the actor. Her presence acts as a magnet anchor, guiding her through the madness. The film also offers a great meta-commentary about the art and craft of storytelling. Paiges performance would not be the same without Riley Keoughs Stefani, and vice versa, the yang to her Yang. Stefani, Zola's guide on this dark odyssey is persuasive and vivacious. She is the living embodiment of cultural appropriation. This is a bold role for Keough who has proven herself to be a fearless chameleon indie cinema and will inspire many a thought piece. The A.V. In conversation with The A.V.Taylour Paige says: Without Riley, I wouldn't have been able to do it. The challenge was initially that her natural energy is so high that it was impossible for me to match it. Janicza was very clear about what she wanted. Riley's character is the buffoon. She wears blackface throughout the film and Zola is straight. It's a reciprocated effort, where I must have something to respond to, just like Lucy and Ethel. But if they were too high, I don't think it would work. For me, it was an engaged observer.The A.V. Club: There is so much more than what we can see from the brief glances you make.AdvertisementTP: The deep sighs.Riley Keough: Yes, she's kind of like the audience being like, "What?" [Laughs.] [Laughs.]AVC: Riley, how did your performance compare to what Taylour brought?RK: Yes, that's what I meant. Our natural chemistry and friendship were really beneficial in that we were able to get along with each other, play around, ask each others questions, and try out new things. It is rare to have that kind of space where you can perform and play. It was because we were all able to get along well and all understood each other. It was easy for us to have fun with the content, even the more difficult stuff. There was a feeling that we all loved being there.AdvertisementEverybody was so happy to be there. Even those of us who were more jaded can feel frustrated by the fact that it is the most enjoyable job. With [Zola], all of us felt like we were happy here. It was almost like a camp.You can find more information at The A.V. Interview with Riley Keough and Zolas Taylour Paige about ClubsAs with any great acting troupe, Zolas' cast has talent that goes beyond its central stars. X, the charming but dangerous pimp played by Colman Domingo, is equally important as Derrek, Stefanis hapless lover played by Nicholas Braunbest known for Successions Cousin Greg. Both bring a natural charm to the roles and bring a sense of humor and danger to each other. If Zola, Stefani, and Derek are two sides to the same coin, then X, and Derek, are polar forces pulling them in different directions. Even when things get shitty, it's Domingo and Brauns performance that keep Zolas cosmic balance.The A.V. spoke with Domingo and Braun separately. Club, Domingo and Braun discuss how they found empathy for characters who aren't always easy to root.AdvertisementColman Domingo says: I have to love the character I am playing. That was the challenge of playing a character like X that is based upon a real man who did some really volatile things to women, I knew. Being a strong feminist, I thought it was a great challenge to examine the soul of this person, see his motivations, dreams, and what he cares about.After I understood that he was an immigrant, I began to view it as an immigrant story. Although it may seem strange, I thought, "This is what this guy has." He was trying to get agency and wants the same as everyone else. He wants to live the American dream. He even takes African American colloquialisms as his own and blends in until he reveals himself when he is angry or in strange turns. That was my challenge. To find out what I love and what keeps him grounded.That's how I discovered his charisma. He knew all the things he could usebeing charismatic and able to see ahead five steps[those] are all amazing things actually. He knows how to make money, but he didn't know how price things properly until Zola arrived, [laughs]. You know what? He did what he could. That's what I did to find love for him and make sure he was human. He is just like everyone else, a guy who gets involved in the same things as everyone else.Nicholas Braun: Derrek doesn't realize how far he is from the right track. He is so far away from what would make his happy. It's like a nice girl saying, Hey, you don't have to be cool; you can be good enough. But he insists that he has to look cool. He believes he needs to speak in a certain manner and present himself as X. We can empathize with him.AdvertisementPeople who are trapped in relationships can end up being abusive. You might think, "Man, that isn't good. I wish they could just stop being together." The guy is in terrible shape. But, when you're inside, you feel sorry for him. Zola is also in bad shape, but Derrek has to suffer some consequences.You can find more information at The A.V. Interviews with Nicholas Braun and Zolas Colman Domingo from ClubsZola will be in theaters across the country on June 30, These interviews were edited for clarity and length.
