Megalopolis Star Kathryn Hunter on Coppola’s ‘Incredibly Bold’ New Film

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Megalopolis Star Kathryn Hunter on Coppola's 'Incredibly Bold' New Film

As a long-time admirer of Kathryn Hunter‘s captivating performances, I can confidently say that her portrayal of Solange in ‘The Front Room’ is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her ability to breathe life into complex characters and elevate them to iconic status is truly a testament to her immense talent.

We spoke with celebrated actress Kathryn Hunter leading up to the release of her new A24 thriller The Front Room, where she plays a sort of wicked mother-in-law of new mom Belinda, played to perfection by Brandy Norwood. Born Aikaterini Hadjipateras, Hunter seems to steal the show in virtually every high-profile project she’s appeared in of late — The Tragedy of Macbeth, Andor, and the list goes on.

After “The Front Room”, Hunter will also star in the eagerly awaited film by Francis Ford Coppola titled “Megalopolis”. Despite facing some issues before its release, the movie has a strong cast with Hunter included, and it’s a long-term project of Coppola that he’s been working on for decades. As Hunter mentioned to MovieWeb, “What Francis has achieved is truly bold”, so viewers should not expect a traditional Coppola film because what makes Coppola unique is his desire to explore new territories.

“This story is uniquely set in a blend of futuristic New York and ancient Rome, offering a fusion of sci-fi and naturalism elements. Remarkably, the protagonist, despite his legendary age, exudes an optimistic outlook for humanity that’s truly inspiring. During our initial meeting with Francis, I could see this hopeful energy as if he were just 25 years old. It was genuinely touching. However, this project is quite experimental and I believe it will provoke thought while also providing enjoyment for the audience.”

‘This Is Quite Funny, Isn’t It?’

In the interim, audiences can look forward to watching Hunter in the movie “The Front Room,” where her chilling portrayal of Solange could leave a lasting impression on your dreams – whether you’re embarking on creating a real-life family or not. The film sets up an intriguing confrontation between Belinda and Solange, as Belinda’s husband (Andrew Burnap) unknowingly invites trouble when he allows his demanding stepmother (Hunter) to move in with them.

Hunter shared with us her experience of seamlessly embodying Solange, “I had great assistance from a superbly crafted script. I suppose you can understand what I mean? She simply stood out so vividly, and that’s such a blessing. Acting can be tough when the script is weak and you need to inject life into it somehow. But this one was already bursting with life.” She further explained:

Sam and Max recounted tales to me about their elderly grandfather who lived with them during their teenage years, struggling against his outdated beliefs in politics, society, and age. This inspiration fueled my creation of [Solange]. Working alongside Brandy and co-star Andrew Burnap was a blessing because it allowed me to fully develop my character as I navigated the circumstances. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to have ample rehearsal time, making the experience enjoyable. Despite the weighty themes, we found ourselves saying, “This is quite amusing, isn’t it?” during our work.

From A24, The Front Room is now playing in theaters.

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2024-09-06 18:02