“I think the beautiful thing about indie films for all of the struggles that you have, which are often based in logistics and finance and things like that, you just get to be that artsy kid who gets to play pretend.”
“We Strangers” star Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Latasha M. Ford with Awards Buzz has a very insightful conversation, which delved into the complexities of the film and its central character, Ray.
Kirby and Latasha discussed how her character {Kirby} Ray is brilliantly portrayed as both manipulative and business-savvy. She leverages how others underestimate her, particularly due to her job and background, essentially acting as a “Trojan Horse.”
Her apparent “invisibility” as a cleaner allows her to observe and gather crucial information about her clients. The film thoughtfully leaves the question of whether she’s truly psychic ambiguous, instead emphasizing her as a “master of observation” who picks up on subtle details others often miss. The conversation also explored several other compelling themes within the film: Class and Racial Dynamics: A significant point was how Ray’s clients readily accept her “psychic abilities,” partly influenced by their own prejudices and tendency to “other” her. Human Vulnerability: Despite their wealth and status, the clients are depicted as searching for something more, facing personal struggles that Ray helps them acknowledge. Family Relationships: The film beautifully explores Ray’s relationship with her mother, including a particularly cathartic scene where they break dishes together. Overall, the interview highlighted how the film allows for multiple interpretations, exploring profound themes of observation, manipulation, family bonds, and the universal human need for connection across various class lines. Check out the full interview below:
About ‘We Strangers’:
Inspired by Valia’s own childhood in Gary, Indiana, where the film is set, We Strangers follows Rayelle (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), a young commercial cleaning woman who is offered a second job cleaning the homes of several rich, suburban families. To blend into her new surroundings, she inadvertently tells one white lie, which then flips the power dynamic in curious ways. This absorbing character study smartly delves into the world of identity and privilege, showing us the challenges that are baked into navigating different spaces.
‘We Strangers’ Official Trailer:
