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The dashing and handsome Ambrosius Goldenloin is in serious trouble. Should a heroic knight of royal lineage chase his true love? Or do you think the first knight of a commoner, Ballister Boldheart, was framed for the murder of Queen Valerian? This is a tough choice to make when Ballister seems to align with the shape-shifting monster they’ve both trained them all their lives to fight. nimuna, N.D. Stevenson Award-winning graphic novel, has received an animated banner adaptation from Netflix. The film brilliantly deals with racism, xenophobia, and the search for acceptance in a futuristic, medieval society.
Eugene Lee Yang Ambrosius Goldenloin voices Nimuna opposite Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed as Ballister Boldheart. Yang was “thrilled by his acting” and believed Ambrosius to be the “true embodiment” of the film’s themes—”follow a system that may oppress you”, or choose “your identity and your love”. He also jokes about being “obsessed” with this strange name and whether he should “have a baby named Goldenloin”.
Yang comments on the same-sex romance between Ambrosius and Pallister at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under siege across the country. “We represent these spaces,” Yang says, imploring people to “question, protest, and rebel” against “systems” and “larger forces” that “don’t have your best interest in mind.”
nimuna It was held back for being too controversial after Disney acquired Fox’s media business and closed Blue Sky Studios. Annapurna Pictures has completed the film and sold it to Netflix for distribution. Yang was overjoyed “when he was picked up again.” nimuna “irreverent comedy”, “action-packed”, and could expose families to more “progressive ways of thinking”.
Satirical comedy Nimona
MovieWeb: Do you think you’d play a better character name than Ambrosius Goldenloin in your entire career?
Eugene Lee Yang: Absolutely not, I need to quit now (laughs). I love his name. I’m kind of obsessed with it. Maybe I should have a baby to name them Goldenloin. In fact, that would be a form of torture. But no, I like the name. I think it’s a particularly fitting name for the film’s irreverent comedy genre.
MW: I thought the character was very cool and nuanced. Talk about getting cast as a voice actor, and what you thought were the most relevant topics for playing Mr. Goldenloin.
Eugene Lee Yang: I was so thrilled to be given her obedience, humility, and blessed that I had the opportunity. And the really relevant aspects of his character is the idea that he’s kind of the real embodiment of the movie’s theme. Whether you follow a system that may oppress you, versus following your heart, your identity, and your loved ones. I think we see the decision he makes in the end, and it’s the right one.
Eugene Lee Yang: But that struggle, that feeling of liberation from something you’ve always been told is true, and I think it’s really universal. So being able to really focus on that nail, that subtle kind of conflict that he feels, was probably the key aspect of the character that I was trying to shape really well.
Accept Nimuna and not block it
MW: Ambrose and Pallister have this weird, sweet romance. We live in a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the country. What would you say to parents, teachers and children about watching this movie and accepting it for what it is?
Eugene Lee Yang: Yes, and I’m from Texas, so I totally get it. I always say, as a Southerner, as I am, we are also a representation of these spaces. I think it’s ironic that these decisions are made by systems that oppress certain types of people. It’s literally a reflection of the movie’s messages. It’s not just that, there are gay characters in this. It’s literally the thinking piece about the movie. Sometimes we have to ask, protest, and revolt against larger forces that don’t have your best interest in mind, especially if you are a marginalized group.
Eugene Lee Yang: That’s something I think any family would like to expose, especially their children to the story, about how you can have more radical ways of thinking that make you feel progressive. They feel proactive. Doing so in a really funny, really action-packed, relatable, and clever movie package. This is really special. It’s really a special way to introduce someone to these ideas. That’s my roundabout way of saying if you’re in Florida or Texas, they don’t let you see it. Find where you can. Find a way to post it, especially to people who need it.
MW: What was the best and worst day of work on Nimona?
Eugene Lee Yang: Well, the worst was when it was canceled (laughs). But the best was when he was picked up again. No, I mean, honestly, every day at the booth was the best. I can’t think of any moment that felt worse. I think the worst parts were when I had to do like long runs of a death scene, some fighting, where I got really sweaty. I was embarrassed because poetry wasn’t “hair.” The “hair” wasn’t as long as it usually was (laughs). It was a blessing to be able to work with him [directors] nick [Bruno] and Troy [Quane]. It was always fun, lighthearted, and a thoughtful way of breaking up these characters to make sure they really shine through.
nimuna Currently streaming exclusively on Netflix.
