Talented 'Moonlight' star Ashton Saunders was featured at Q&A at Tristone Palm Desert 10
Last night, in a packed house, moviegoers in the Palm Springs area came to see one of the most talked about films of the year – "Moonlight." The film has just been nominated for 10 Critics Choice Awards and many feel the film is destined to be an Oscar favorite. One of the stars of the film, Ashton Saunders, was featured after the screening of the film for an engaging Q&A about Ashton and the film. The Q&A event was moderated by KNEWS personality Bill Feingold.
“Moonlight” has been rated as 98% Fresh by RottenTomatoes.com and is the tender, heartbreaking story of a young man's struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality.
Ashton Saunders is a very bright, well-spoken actor. At the age of twenty he seems to be on the perfect track to becoming a Hollywood favorite. He was attending DePaul University in Chicago when his agent called him about auditioning for "Moonlight." The actor went through three auditions before even seeing the script, which after reading, gave the actor more reasons to fight to be picked for the film.
Saunders plays one of three parts of the character Chiron, a character that is being bullied while leaving with a crack-addicted single mom. Chiron is a character of little words, but of great emotions. Excelling at bringing these emotions to the forefront are three actors of different age. Ashton plays Chiron as an older teen. His strength of an actor is evident especially, when his character Chiron has an epiphany that changes the course of his future.
For a full review of "Moonlight," click here: REVIEW
Saunders was very engaging with the audience and was clear to tell that all his dreams are coming true now that "Moonlight," is being acknowledged with such fanfare. For now, the actor has suspended his education, with only one year before graduating, "I'm already doing the job I was studying to do."
Ashton has been enjoying the press tour and now the beginning of award season, mentioning a chance to meet director Tom Ford. But there is another Hollywood insider that Ashton is looking forward to meeting, Oscar winner Denzel Washington.
Ashton took time after the Q&A to talk to just about every audience member that wanted to greet him personally. Ashton seems well-grounded for the beginning of what appears to be a long and productive career as an actor. Being nice and courteous to the audience members after his Q&A was a sign of a young man that is grateful for his circumstance.
“Moonlight” is rated R for some sexuality, drug use, brief violence, and language throughout and has a run-time of one hour and 51 minutes.