Tarell Alvin McCraney Reflects on Moonlight

Ten years after its initial release, playwright and screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney is reflecting on the journey of Moonlight, the Best Picture Oscar winner that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. In an interview with indiewire.com, McCraney shared his ongoing thoughts about the deeply personal film, stating that seeing it now remains well worth the price of admission.

The Genesis of a Miami Story

McCraney wrote the unproduced play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue in 2003, shortly after the death of his mother from AIDS-related complications. He originally penned both that script and The Brothers Size as part of his application materials for the Yale School of Drama. His high school playwriting and screenplay teacher, Rafael Lima, always taught him that visual stories belonged on film while heard stories belonged on the stage. Because the memories of growing up in Liberty City came to him as images, the project was slated as a film from the start.

An indie film centering on a young gay kid in Miami proved a difficult feat for a recent college graduate in 2003. André Holland and Glenn Davis read copies of the script early on and attempted to mount an adaptation in Chicago. McCraney ultimately decided to keep the project close, leaving the script on his computer for another decade until he connected with director Barry Jenkins around 2012 or 2013.

Collaborating With Barry Jenkins

The creative partnership between McCraney and Jenkins sparked when both filmmakers were participating in a film festival in Miami. Through mutual connections, including their friend and arts finalist Andrew Hevia, the two discovered they grew up blocks away from each other. Jenkins read the script and told McCraney he wanted to transform it into a full feature.

McCraney recalled that Jenkins had to check in repeatedly before believing the playwright was fully on board, especially before A24 or Plan B became involved in the production. Jenkins successfully translated the material from a place of memory into something palpable and universally felt.

The Impact of YoungArts and Iconic Performances

McCraney credits Miami’s YoungArts organization with providing crucial support and education for local and international artists. YoungArts not only provided pre-production space for Moonlight, but arts finalist Andrew Hevia also served as the bridge connecting McCraney and Jenkins.

The film’s cast brought deeply personal and challenging material to life on screen. Mahershala Ali delivered an Oscar-winning performance as Juan, a character modeled after an influential figure in McCraney’s youth. Naomie Harris earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Paula, a character embodying the struggles and terror associated with McCraney’s mother’s decline.

Regarding Harris’s performance, McCraney noted that she had about three or four days on set to film all of her scenes. He added that while he did not know Harris previously, he found her to be an incredible artist who came in and just went, making her work extraordinary to watch.

Visual Legacy and Continuing Expansion

When Moonlight premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, McCraney initially expected only a few hundred thousand people to see the indie project.

Witnessing the film reach millions of viewers completely shifted his perspective.

Serving currently as the artistic director at the Geffen Playhouse, McCraney remains active in television and film projects while continuing to expand his creative horizons. He still asks himself the fundamental question at the core of his work: Who am I and who can I be?