What drew you to his story?
LISA CORTES:: Theres so much to look at.
He is more … we know the icon.
‘Little Richard I Am Everything’Courtesy of Sundance
We know the one joke, Shut up!
We know Tutti Frutti, but I wanted to peel the onion.
As, we say in the film, his DNA is everywhere.
Lisa CortesCourtesy Sundance
Why did you choose to approach the film like that?
CORTES:: In terms of the structural integrity of the story, it all begins with Richard.
Hes not the most reliable storyteller, and so…
So, I knew I wanted the artist.
Then, there was my scholars.
Individuals who I thought had such beautiful insight to the music but also the cultural context.
DEADLINE:I hope you take this the right way.
How did you navigate some of those?
Because theyre very tricky ground.
CORTES:Well, I think the thing is, with Richard, he never loses his faith.
He just doesnt know how to be a man of faith and be a queer man of faith.
You know, theres young Richard, young drag Richard.
So hes got this pendulum.
So it becomes, like, you know, hes not just about Shut up!
You know, he is an innovator, hes a revolutionary, and hes deeply conflicting.
Youre really lucky that you that education.
DEADLINE:Did that become an issue in terms of your list of potential interviewees?
CORTES:Let me tell you something about it.
Im getting all these other big people.
What I learned is that some of these younger artists, they dont know.
DEADLINE:Like Niles Rodgers and Jagger?
Can you get to London by Tuesday for Mick?
So, I get there, and we set up.
He goes, Oh, lets have a chat first, and I thought it was so interesting.
He wanted to hear where I was coming from with this film before we even started.
We start the interview.
And Im like, Yeah, Im good.
DEADLINE:How so?
DEADLINE:Speaking of careers, last yearwe wrote about your deal with Blue Ant.
CORTES:We are getting close to a deal on that, which is very exciting.
Whats that shift in POV like?
CORTES:Oh my God, its everything.
I mean, first of all, were in competitions.
Were in the U.S. Doc competition, among so many peoples works that I love.
DEADLINE: How so?
CORTES:Its bigger than Richard.
You know, for me, its about culture wars that are still going on.
DEADLINE: But also, its so beautiful how you pay tribute to his bravery.
DEADLINE:Oh my God, youd get loaded in the first 15 minutes.
But Macon, Georgia.
DEADLINE:Its his thing, isnt it?
I always thought that became a little bit of a shade throwing at James Brown.
CORTES:Yeah, because hes planting the flag.
Remember, he brought James to Macon to record his hit.
He put James on the road as himself when he went to Hollywood.
I mean, thats one of the stories we couldnt get into.
If that aint brave, I dont know what is.
