Actors swing for the 'Fences' with Denzel

<h3 class="briefHead">Actors on the 'Fences'</h3>

In Denzel Washington's directorial debut "Fences" (based on August Wilson's play) opening Dec. 25, Stephen Henderson plays Bono, best pal of Washington's main character Troy. "The Leftovers" actor Jovan Adepo plays Washington's teen son Cory.

I sat down to chat with both actors at Chicago's Langham Hotel.

Q. What surprised you about Denzel Washington as a director?

JA. I would say how collaborative he was. When it came to making decisions about my character, he would always defer to the actors. If I had an issue, he would always suggest a choice. But he would never tell me how I should handle a scene. He's all, you figure it out and we'll see when the cameras are turned on. Just go for it!

He gave us freedom to make mistakes, and told me never to be afraid to make mistakes. That's where the magic comes from.

Q. Mr. Henderson, you've enjoyed a long career in TV, on stage and in movies. You've even got a supporting role in Kenneth Lonergan's "Manchester by the Sea." What compels you to return to acting?

SH. I gotta keep coming back to it. Every once in a while, you'll have an experience so good, it will keep you in the business another five to 10 years. It's pedestrian. It's pedestrian. It's just a job. It's just a job. Then, you have that one experience and you say, "I'll never let go of this, because if there's a chance I'll have another one of these, it's worth it!"

This film is that kind of experience. It's going to see me through to the end, I can tell that right now.

Q. Mr. Adepo, what's the difference between working on a TV series ("The Leftovers") and a movie like "Fences"?

JA: Pacing. There was never any pressure from Denzel to rush and get everything on the first take, or even two takes. They took the time to make sure we were present in the moment. TV, at least in my experience, you get two, maybe three takes and "Got it! We gotta move on." To be on this movie set was definitely spoiling us.

Q. Yet, you never had much interest in acting while growing up. What happened?

JA: I was never interested in the arts, especially as a profession. It wasn't a passion of mine until later in life. What attracts me to it the most is that I can explore different experiences from different walks of life. I get to spend time walking in somebody else's shoes.

I also enjoy meeting other artists and picking up a few things from them. Listening to their experiences is inspiring. That's what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Q. Mr. Henderson, what's the best thing about working with this guy?

SH. His love and appreciation for legacy. He knows he's arrived on the shoulders of those who came before. His parents raised him so well. He's respectful. He's one of the bright lights in the business. When you meet young men like this, you know we're doing OK. The world's in good hands.

<h3 class="briefHead">A true Christmas story</h3>

Every holiday season we trundle out the usual movie classics such as "A Christmas Carol," "A Christmas Story," "White Christmas," "It's a Wonderful Life," even "Home Alone."

One of the most often overlooked Christmas gems on this list is Christian Carion's 2005 French production "Joyeux Noel," based on the true story of Scottish, French and German soldiers who, in 1914 during World War I, did the unthinkable: They stopped killing each other on Christmas Eve.

In the trenches, a German opera singer (Benno Fürmann) performs "Silent Night" for his fellow soldiers, when suddenly he hears a bagpipe accompanying him.

Emboldened, the singer picks up a small Christmas tree and leaves the safety of his trench, singing "Adeste Fideles" as he advances toward the enemy.

"Joyeux Noel" is one of my favorite movies. Suspenseful in spots, jaw-droppingly inspiring in others. If this holiday season you're searching for a movie (PG-13) that can overpower you with the promise of peace and good will toward men, here it is.

<h3 class="briefHead">It's a real 'Tradition'</h3>

This Sunday isn't only Christmas.

It's the first day of Hanukkah, and to celebrate Chicago's Music Box Theatre presents a special singalong screening of Norman Jewison's 1971 Academy Award-winning musical "Fiddler on the Roof" at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25. Tickets cost $12 ($8 for kids; $9 Music Box members). The theater is at 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Go to musicboxtheatre.com.

<i> Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire's column runs Friday in Time out!</i>