by Filming “Not Always Smooth Sailing”: The Challenges of Making Mudbound
While Mary J. Blige and director Dee Rees received widespread acclaim for their work on the 2017 film Mudbound, bringing such a complex story to life was not without its obstacles. Set in the Deep South during World War II and the Jim Crow era, Mudbound tackled heavy themes of racial tension, the struggles of sharecropping, and the toll of war. For Blige, the film marked a significant acting role outside of her music career, requiring her to step outside her comfort zone. Meanwhile, Rees had to navigate the challenges of directing such a nuanced story. Both women likely faced difficulties related to the story’s subject matter, budgetary constraints of an independent film, and the physical and emotional demands of their roles. However, they were able to overcome these hurdles to produce a film that has endured as an important work.
Stepping into Unfamiliar Territory
One of the biggest challenges for Mary J. Blige was the transition from her established career as a renowned R&B singer to taking on her first major dramatic acting role. While she had some previous acting credits, notably as a guest star on Empire, Mudbound represented Blige fully immersing herself in a new artistic medium. Going from performing her own music to inhabiting the character of Florence Jackson, a sharecropper’s wife in the 1940s, required Blige to step outside her musical comfort zone. She had to shed her celebrity persona and fame as a singer to authentically embody this character, a quiet but strong-willed woman facing immense hardships.
Blige would have felt pressure to deliver a convincing performance and prove herself as a serious dramatic actress. In interviews, she discussed the anxiety she felt taking on such a substantial role. Director Dee Rees likely played a key supporting role, working closely with Blige through an intensive rehearsal process and providing guidance and feedback during filming. Rees may have invested extra time ensuring Blige felt confident in her abilities before more challenging scenes. The transition was not easy for Blige, but through dedicated preparation and Rees’ coaching, she was able to immerse herself in the character of Florence and earn widespread praise for her nuanced portrayal.
Physical Demands of the Role
In addition to the emotional demands of inhabiting her character, Mary J. Blige also had to endure some physically taxing aspects of the role. Mudbound does not shy away from depicting the unforgiving realities and hard labor of sharecropping in the 1940s Mississippi Delta. Scenes show Florence and other characters enduring grueling days in the fields, toiling under the hot sun to work the land for little pay. To authentically portray this, Blige likely had to perform scenes that required physical endurance, such as long days of shooting outdoors in challenging conditions.
She may have faced obstacles like discomfort from costumes not designed for strenuous activity or exhaustion from maintaining the physicality of her character throughout takes. The sharecropping scenes also convey the toll this lifestyle took on people’s bodies, with Florence portrayed as worn down by years of difficult work. Blige would have needed to physically embody this fatigue and show the effects on her character’s health. While the physical demands were a challenge, Blige’s commitment to realism in her performance meant she was willing to push through discomfort to do justice to Florence’s struggles.
Directing Complex Themes
As the director, Dee Rees had the enormous responsibility of guiding all elements of the film to cohesively bring the complex story and themes of Mudbound to life. She had to balance weaving together multiple plotlines involving different characters and time periods, all while authentically portraying the nuanced issues of racism, war, and socioeconomic hardship at the story’s core. Rees likely faced difficulties with ensuring all parts came together in a compelling yet sensitive way that treated these heavy topics with care.
One challenge was maintaining authenticity in the film’s portrayal of the Jim Crow-era South and sharecropping system and making sure any historical details were accurate. Rees invested significant effort into dialect coaching and overseeing period-accurate costumes, sets, and other production elements. She also had to navigate potentially uncomfortable scenes depicting racism and guide actors through emotional material in a supportive way. Additionally, balancing the multiple storylines between the two families and time periods spanned by the narrative required careful planning and editing to flow cohesively. Rees’ vision and ability to weave complex themes into a moving work earned her widespread critical acclaim, but it was not without obstacles to surmount first.
Budgetary Limitations
As an independent film, Mudbound faced inherent budgetary constraints that posed difficulties for both Blige and Rees. Limited funds meant potentially fewer resources for certain production elements. Rees may have been restricted in the scope of locations, sets, or visual effects she could include. This would have required creativity to maximize what was available within budget limitations. For example, she may have needed to find versatile outdoor locations that could double for multiple settings or build sets that suggested environments without fully constructing them.
Costuming also faced constraints, though Rees ensured period-appropriate looks within budget. Blige likely had limitations on wardrobe changes between takes or extras needed for physically demanding scenes. Budget may have impacted filming schedules as well, with tighter timelines that added pressure. Both women rose to overcome such constraints, finding low-cost solutions to bring the authentic world of Mudbound to life within financial realities of independent films. Their resourcefulness allowed the story’s power to shine through despite limited funds.
Emotional Toll of Difficult Subject Matter
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for both Blige and Rees was managing the emotional toll of Mudbound’s difficult subject matter throughout the filming process. The film depicts unflinchingly honest portrayals of racism, poverty, and the trauma of war. Both women would have been deeply affected while immersed in this heavy material day after day on set. For Blige, inhabiting the character of Florence meant embodying the quiet suffering, strength, and resilience of a black woman facing immense hardship in the Jim Crow South.
Meanwhile, Rees guided the entire production with care and sensitivity while telling such an unvarnished story. The emotional weight likely took a toll, and both women would have needed strategies to process and release the intensity after filming wrapped each day. Blige discussed drawing on her own life experiences to connect with Florence’s struggles, which likely compounded the emotional labor. Both found the material deeply moving as well. Their ability to channel such difficult emotions into grounded, empathetic performances is a testament to their artistry and commitment to justice in storytelling. While taxing, it resulted in a film that has endured as an impactful work.
Conclusion
While Mary J. Blige and Dee Rees received widespread critical acclaim for their work on Mudbound, bringing such a complex story to life was not without its challenges. From Blige stepping outside her musical comfort zone into serious acting to Rees’ task of weaving the film’s intricate themes, both faced obstacles that tested their abilities. Budgetary limitations of an independent production and the physical and emotional toll of the material added further difficulties. However, through dedicated preparation, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to authenticity, Blige and Rees were able to overcome hurdles to produce a film that has endured as an important work. Their collaboration on Mudbound demonstrates the power of storytelling to shed light on injustice when navigating challenges with vision and care.
