Jacob Elordi Tells Berlin What Drives Him: “I’m a Superfan Who’s Following His Heart”

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During a quick visit to Berlin, Germany, for the global debut of his forthcoming historical series titled “The Narrow Road to the Deep North“, Australian actor Jacob Elordi opened up about his artistic approach and fervor for acting, revealing some intriguing details.

Elordi expressed that he’s not primarily driven by making movies for entertainment or financial gain. Instead, he seeks what he calls ‘cinema’, an emotional response you get when watching a film that connects with you deeply and validates your existence. As a performer, he aims to be part of this experience, following his passion. He essentially sees himself as a passionate fan who’s chasing after something profound in the films he chooses to be a part of, and this desire often originates from the filmmaker.

This week, the highly anticipated miniseries on Amazon Prime Video titled “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” starring a popular actor alongside Odessa Young in a long-spanning love story, makes its debut at the Berlin International Film Festival. The first two out of five episodes of this series will be showcased in the festival’s special gala section.

As a fervent admirer of cinema, I’m thrilled about Justin Kurzel’s latest directorial venture, “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.” Last year at Cannes, his period crime film, “The Order,” was a genre standout, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to this table. This compelling drama is an on-screen adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, skillfully penned for the screen by writer Shaun Grant.

Amidst the backdrop of World War II, this series narrates the grand saga of Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrigo Evans (Elordi), a doctor who becomes a Japanese prisoner while working on the Thai-Burma railway. Haunted by his past affair with his uncle’s wife, Amy (Young), Evans grapples with memories that offer him solace and torment him in equal measure as he struggles to save lives amidst a world consumed by death. The narrative unfolds across various timeframes, tracing Evans’ life from his early years, through his ordeal in the prisoner-of-war camp, to later stages when he becomes a renowned surgeon and is hailed as an Australian war hero.

Elordi has been watching the work of fellow Aussie director, Kurzel, since his adolescence.

Initially, when I began watching movies, one of the first films I recall seeing was ‘Snowtown’, which was director Justin Kurzel’s debut in 2011. At the time, I might have been around 14 or 15 years old. As soon as I saw his name, I made a note to myself that I wanted to collaborate with him someday. He played a significant role in igniting my interest in cinema,” Elordi explained. “Later on, Kurzel wrote me a letter suggesting I take part in a series he was creating, which eventually became ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’.

Elordi mentioned that the letter he was expecting seemed unlikely to arrive, but when it finally did, straight into his inbox, it was a clear and obvious choice for him.

The creators label the series as “a heartfelt tale that offers solace amidst challenging periods, a profound exploration of characters embodying human resilience against adversity, and an in-depth examination of a relationship and a memorable love story.

Elordi and Young, from the movies “Mothering Sunday” and “Shirley”, are joined by a multinational cast including Ciarán Hinds (from “Belfast”), who plays the older Dorrigo Evans, Olivia DeJonge (“Elvis”), Heather Mitchell (“Love Me” and “Upright”), Thomas Weatherall (“Heartbreak High”), Show Kasamatsu (“Tokyo Vice”), Charles An, and Simon Baker (“Limbo”, “Breath”). In simpler terms, these actors are all part of the cast for Elordi and Young’s movies, which also includes Ciarán Hinds, Olivia DeJonge, Heather Mitchell, Thomas Weatherall, Show Kasamatsu, Charles An, and Simon Baker.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled that this series I’ve been eagerly waiting for will be streaming in my region – Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, thanks to Amazon Prime Video. On a global scale, Sony Pictures Television takes on the distribution duties. In the U.K., the BBC has secured the rights to bring it home!

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2025-02-15 21:54