Ryan Coogler has reflected on a troubling time that he navigated after the release of his movie Fruitvale Station, starring Michael B. Jordan.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Coogler reflected on the 2013 movie and claimed that after the movie’s release, he fell into a depression.
“I did have a need to make that movie, but I was not convinced that I belonged in what comes after that,” he began.
“When you come from where I’m from, that’s not necessarily an affirming environment all the time. You can convince yourself that somebody’s playing a joke on you.”
“You can convince yourself that none of this is real: ‘I don’t deserve to be here. This place isn’t for me.’ ”
Moreover, beyond his personal doubts, Coogler admitted to navigating the immense pressure of being a young artist tackling systemic tragedy.
“That movie was made by a person who didn’t totally understand how the world worked — like, straight up,” Coogler continued.
He concluded by saying, “Playing football and going to school my whole life, I wasn’t studying all the factors that led to Oscar being executed on camera. I know more now — and it doesn’t make you optimistic.”
