Film director F. Gary Gray is a veteran on the big screen. Born in New York and raised in South Central Los Angeles, he is passionate about his work, which can be seen throughout his films:  “Friday,” "Set It Off,” “The Negotiator,” "The Italian Job” and “A Man Apart.”  Now, "Law Abiding Citizen," starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler, hits theatres on October 16.

"Law Abiding Citizen" made its debut on the opening night of the 13th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival this week in New York City, which brought out Viola Davis and Gerard Butler.  In addition, Urbanworld is honoring Gray with the Career Achievement Award.  A few hours before the premiere of "Law Abiding Citizen,” we had a chance to speak with F. Gary Gray about the new movie, his accomplishments, and advice to aspiring filmmakers. 

You have a new film, “Law Abiding Citizen,” which you directed. What attracted you to this film?
Well, the concept. The concept to the movie is great. If you think about it, a man who takes an entire city hostage from a jail cell is an incredible concept. Between that and working with Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler and all the twists and turns in the material, this is definitely what attracted me to the film.
 
I could easily see Jamie Foxx playing Gerard Butler's character.  Was Butler originally supposed to play the lawyer, Nick Rice?
I believe the roles were switched where Jamie was going to play the role of Clyde Shelton and vice versa. But I’m glad it worked out this way because Gerard Butler delivers on every level playing Clyde Shelton.  I think Jamie stretched himself to go from playing Willie Beamen in “Any Given Sunday” or playing Ray Charles to playing a high-profile district attorney. It really shows Jamie’s range. I honestly thought it was a good switch. I think people will be surprised seeing them both play these roles.
 
“Law Abiding Citizen” has Viola Davis as the mayor of Philadelphia.  We love that Philly has a Black female mayor.  Was that a conscious choice or did it just happen?
Yeah, I felt like, it’s a new era in politics. Instead of showing the traditional screaming mayor that you would ordinarily see, I thought that hiring Viola Davis would give it certain energy. She’s an incredible actor and was nominated for an Oscar for a reason.  My producer, Allen Siegel, came up with the thought and I jumped all over it. I said that is a perfect way to breathe life into what could have been otherwise a pedestrian character.

The movie first premieres at the Urbanworld Film Festival. Why is it still important to have Black film festivals like Urbanworld?
It inspires younger filmmakers and all filmmakers to go out and tell other stories and, more importantly, tell different stories. When you’re promoting one thing, after a while it gets old, but when you have film festivals like Urbanworld, you get a chance to see different sides and different stories as it relates to the Black experience or just people of color. I think that’s really important. “Set It Off,” I believe, was one of the first films to kick off the Urbanworld Festival. It’s 12 or 13 years later and I’ve had a really great career and they’ve been supportive of me from the start.  I’ve been living proof that these festivals have been successful.
 
Speaking of the Urbanworld Film Festival, you were awarded the Career Achievement Award. Congratulations -- how exciting is it to receive this great honor?
Thank you. It feels great that I am being acknowledged so early. I look at my career up to this point as if it’s boot camp. It was a learning process. I didn’t get a chance to go to college for film making and directing so my first few films I likened them to college or boot camp.  I learned how to tell stories, deliver characters, and work with actors. That’s like getting an award for going through preseason. I have many more films to make and to get that acknowledgment so early, I think it’s great.
 
“Set It Off,” “A Man Apart,” “The Negotiator” and now “Law Abiding Citizen” -- all involve crime and or action.  Do you ever see yourself doing something totally different and directing a romantic comedy or even a horror movie?
Of course. I don’t mind surfing the genres. You know a little comedy here, an action thriller there.  With “Law Abiding Citizen” I can add psychological thriller onto the list.  I would do a horror or sci-fi film because I feel like I am capable of it and there are a million stories out there. If I have a passion for it, I’m going to tell it. This is a really good question, but I am definitely going to continue to surf the genres because it is fun, it’s a great challenge.
 
You are also known for music videos with major hip-hop and R&B artists such as Ice Cube, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and more. Do you ever miss music videos?
You know, I’ll do a music video every once in a while, but I've been so busy with movies so it's been very hard to rip away.  But, I am always open to do something creative if the music is there and if I have the time and my schedule is good.
 
Not sure if you heard this, but Spike Lee recently said Tyler Perry’s films and television shows are reminiscent of minstrel shows.  What's your take on that?
Everybody does different things. Tyler has his own approach, Spike has his own approach and John Singleton has his own approach.  I really can’t call it on that one. I’m conscience about the work that I do. I primarily focus on what I do and I try not to judge other people, their work and point of view because that’s their experience.  I can only speak for what I am responsible for.  If Spike feels that way, I guess that’s his point of view. I’m still working on perfecting my craft so I try not to step in anyone else’s zone. In some ways, I still have a way to go myself.
 
What would you say to young individuals who may not have the opportunity to get film training but are gifted in the film industry?
Just do it. That’s what I did. I didn’t have the money to go to film school at all. You have to be creative about how you get your start. You have to keep pushing. I never let the fact that we didn’t have a lot growing up or the resources to go to college stop me.  If you’re really passionate about telling stories and really passionate about film, there will be a way. You just have to make it. Do not let anyone discourage you. I think nowadays it’s probably a little bit easier given the technology and the Internet to shoot some things and put it up on YouTube and get people to check it out. When I was growing up there wasn’t anything close to the technology and the ability to show it.  I really encourage people to really give it your all, sacrifice everything and you will get a return. That’s my theory because that’s what I did.

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"Law Abiding Citizen" is in theaters Friday, October 16.  For more information on the Urbanworld Film Festival, go to http://urbanworld.com/. 

Taresh M. Moore is a North Carolina-based writer and a student.