39
My mother’ s father also died before I was born. Both of my parents’ fathers died within two weeks of each other, just after their wedding. And my father had heard that it was a film that black fathers took their sons to see. So he took me to see it.” Six months later, the same ritual with“ Malcolm X.”“ It was ironic because we just had the premiere of‘ Sinners’ in the same theater, at the same cinema. And my father was sitting in the same row.”
Michael B. Jordan and the twins
Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku in Sinners / Warner Bros.
39
“ Sinners marks the fifth collaboration between Coogler and Michael B. Jordan( Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther). This time, Jordan plays twin brothers.“ The film deals with dichotomy,” explains Coogler.“ And I was born into a family full of twins. My mother’ s older sisters are identical.” He describes their relationship: impossible to live together, impossible to live apart. Constant arguments. Games with people who can’ t tell them apart.
The price of success
Contrary to popular belief, Coogler did not quit football because of an injury.“ I was in good health when I quit. I made the decision to quit when I could have continued.” Why?“ My heart was more into cinema. I wanted to make films while I was young, because I felt that young people were not represented in the industry behind the camera.” There was a bidding war for“ Sinners.” Coogler secured final cut, a share of box office revenue, and full ownership of the film after 25 years.“ These terms are not new,” he clarifies.“ Other filmmakers who have made less money than me at the box office have had these terms for a long time.” But for him, it was essential.“ Sinners” is dedicated to Uncle James. He died while Coogler was making a movie. Like so many things he missed out on while building his career. But this movie— this movie is his. To his uncle. To his family. To the sharecroppers. To the slaves. To all those who created the blues to remind themselves that they were human.
Flashmag! Edition 169 Fevrier 2026