As a fan of superheroes and a fellow Bostonian, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Melissa Benoist. Her journey from a small-town girl to Supergirl is nothing short of inspiring. It’s heartbreaking that things didn’t work out as planned with the DC universe, but her resilience and determination are truly superhuman.
Sasha Calle was filled with conflicting emotions in the summer of 2023.
In one aspect, Sasha Calle was eagerly showcasing her role as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in Andy Muschietti’s “The Flash.” However, she was the sole cast member fielding questions from the media since lead actor Ezra Miller was embroiled in legal issues during the build-up to the film’s June release. To make matters more uncertain, James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of DC Studios in October 2022, unveiling a fresh lineup of DCU projects in January 2023, only loosely tied to the turbulent journey that was the previous DCEU. Consequently, Calle’s future as Supergirl onscreen seemed shaky even before she could make her debut.
Essentially, Calle found herself evading queries concerning Miller, frequently redirecting the conversation towards her deep admiration for her stunt crew, all while maintaining a positive outlook for the future, despite sensing that the situation was becoming critical. To complicate matters further, she unexpectedly lost her voice during this time.
Calle admitted that it was quite challenging. He had mixed emotions as he navigated through everything, feeling both thrilled and uncertain,” Calle shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “He was really excited, but there were many uncertainties left unanswered, so it was a bittersweet experience.
As a gamer, I found some unexpected bright sides in the situation. For instance, I formed a strong bond with Leslie Grace, whose journey as Batgirl was unexpectedly halted in August 2022 when the film Batgirl was pulled for financial reasons. Despite our initial hopes of sharing the screen as our superhero characters, we ended up becoming each other’s pillars of support instead.
Honestly, I can’t imagine how I would have coped without Leslie. Despite her going through a tougher time, she was like a beacon of love and kindness,” Calle expresses. “Our friendship blossomed from a complex and painful situation, yet it was genuine, sincere, and kind. We supported each other during that difficult period, and I’m glad we had one another.
Before the premiere of The Flash, Grace played a role in persuading Calle to join Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio’s semi-autobiographical drama, In the Summers. This four-part narrative follows two sisters who regularly visit their troubled father (René “Residente” Pérez) during summers in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Calle portrays Adult Eva, a character who, like her adult sibling Violeta (Lio Mehiel), carries both the good and bad qualities of their complex father. Despite having a busy schedule due to The Flash‘s press tour, Calle successfully filmed this critically acclaimed movie without letting it interfere with her opportunity to work alongside another Colombian-American artist. (Notably, the film also won Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize for best dramatic features.)
Calle shared that it was a true privilege to work, even in exhaustion, and this was especially true when working alongside Alessandra, a Colombian woman who identifies as queer. Calle recently spoke with their lawyer and they read out this quote: ‘Don’t grumble about a full plate if all you ever longed for was food.’ It’s important to remember that such moments were the very dreams we nurtured when we were young.
Since DC Studios has changed course for Supergirl’s future, Melissa Benoist acknowledges feeling a bit disheartened because she filmed an ending for The Flash that was intended to set up further stories as part of her multi-film agreement. However, the acclaim she’s received from both critics and viewers, along with her current role working alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Joe Carnahan’s RIP, makes her proud that she seized the opportunity, even though it was brief.
Calle expresses that it was deeply saddening and perplexing for her, but she understands she gave her all. As it’s often said, a queer Latina girl like myself wasn’t supposed to embody Supergirl. Yet, I did, and nobody can negate that achievement. What truly matters to me is that I made an impact. Whether people saw themselves in my character or not, many connected with her deeply and cherished her.
In their latest chat with THR, Calle shared an anecdote where Grace proposed her project ‘In the Summers’ right within a restaurant restroom.
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Where did In the Summers fall on your timeline?
During the summer of 2023, I filmed “In the Summers” while promoting “The Flash.
That was a very interesting time.
I know!
What was your headspace at the time?
Truthfully, it was a nonstop whirlwind of activities. I recall feeling quite unwell too. In the span of 40 days, I took 15 different flights; that was quite an intense journey.
In the opening scene of the movie, director Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio offers an explanation for not adding subtitles to the Spanish scenes. As a fellow bilingual individual, I’ve come across this decision in various films lately, and I find it intriguing every time. By relying on emotion and physical cues instead of words, the filmmaker allows those who don’t speak the language to still connect with the characters and their stories. What are your thoughts on this approach?
I have faith in Alessandra, and her method was truly captivating. As an intrigued being, I adore subtitles. Some people dislike them while others cherish them, but to me, languages are fascinating. Occasionally, I’ll turn them off and simply appreciate the movie. However, I found her technique particularly charming because The Summers is a film that speaks volumes without needing explanation. That’s the best part! [My large Great Dane, Dragon, joins us on the Zoom call.] This is my giant canine companion. I want you to get a sense of his size.
Wow, he truly is enormous.
He is.
The characters in the movie go in and out of both English and Spanish. Is that fairly common?
Indeed, it was quite intriguing since I wasn’t permitted to use Spanish during my stay at In the Summers. This rule was Alessandra’s decision, and it presented a challenge for me as I often switch between languages. It’s almost second nature to me, given my dual American-Colombian heritage, and I find it much like having two dictionaries at my disposal, effortlessly moving in and out of a rhythm or melody.
Is Alessandra also of Colombian-American heritage? When you initially crossed paths, did you connect through your common roots?
In the movie, our shared use of Spanglish made communication easier, as it was a language I was already familiar with. Since the narrative is inspired by Alessandra’s life, we had numerous conversations in Spanish during filming. It was an enjoyable experience to connect over our Latin American roots, as both her father hails from Bogotá and my family originates from Medellín. In essence, we found common ground easily. Even though René is Puerto Rican, Spanglish remains a language that many of us can understand. To answer your question, I was curious about the real story behind the movie, but Alessandra chose to keep certain aspects private during our collaboration on this journey.
When inquiring about her life, I took great care not to burden her unduly, understanding that life can be delicate and private. Reading the script was a privilege, offering a glimpse into this part of her life she willingly chose to reveal. One evening, we prepared dinner together and formed a connection. We conversed about our lives, and she disclosed snippets of her experiences. She’s also very considerate, so if I had directly questioned her, she likely would have responded. However, being mindful of others’ feelings, I merely wanted her to share what she deemed relevant for me to understand.
Did you have any interaction with the other Eva actors?
Sure thing!
Unfortunately, due to my frequent visits to the Flash production set, I rarely had time to watch other films being made. I’d be there one moment and then I’d have to leave in a hurry. However, they were kind enough to show me some clips. When I finally saw the completed movie, I was truly amazed by their work. Alison also had to shoot an entire summer’s worth of scenes on her own as well.
For four years, I attended college to focus on singing, acting, and dancing. I graduated when I was between 20 and 21 years old, and afterward, I entered the real world. About a year and half later, I made my debut on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless”. It was astonishing to witness young actors express such deep emotions at such an early age. Their talent continues to leave me in awe.
The third chapter broke something in Eva, and you captured that disengaged feeling to a T once you presided over the character. Did you focus on expanding that upsetting final scene in chapter three, or was it more the accumulation of everything they’d been through together?
Alessandra crafted a stunning script that made it effortless to shoulder its weight while reading. This allowed me to concentrate, and she provided additional guidance as well. When I arrived on set, I aimed to be fully immersed in the moment. I considered how Eva might feel at that instant, which proved crucial. I’m fond of direction, for some reason, and I flourish when given instructions at work. I appreciate a director who challenges me, and Alessandra did so masterfully. She would nudge me in certain directions, and I welcomed the change. As an actor, there’s often uncertainty about whether such moments will be successful. There’s a lot of trust required for the director, the cinematographer, and everyone else on set because you’re not in control. It can be challenging to relinquish control and simply trust, but I’m grateful it paid off. I’m delighted that people are connecting with this film, as when I left the set, I had no idea if everything went well or not.
When the family attempted sledding in the desert, it appeared that the sleds behaved differently than anticipated. However, it was only the youngest sister who managed to make them function effectively. Could the sleds have been problematic that particular day?
(Grinning broadly) Oh boy, talk about authenticity! Not a single sled functioned among us, and it wasn’t scripted. With an intense heatwave upon us, we were all feeling quite uncomfortable, yet eager to test our new sleds. However, to our shared frustration, none of them cooperated. We fiddled and tinkered, but alas, they miraculously worked for the baby. It was heartwarming and fitting, but I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy that the rest of us were left out of the sled fun.
Eva dons loose-fitting denim pants whenever she skates, and though you’ve been sporting them in your daily life for some time now, they’re currently trendy once more. Do you feel like a pioneer of this resurgence?
It’s possible that I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, particularly my skateboarding friends and their unique fashion sense. Acne Studios has also been a significant influence, with their trendy baggy, ripped jeans catching my eye. In the past, I’ve enjoyed thrift shopping for oversized men’s jeans that I would cinch with a belt, often receiving teasing remarks from friends and family. However, now that the style is back in fashion, I find it satisfying to see this trend resurface.
Your friend Leslie Grace is also a part of the cast. Did one of you encourage the other to join?
Absolutely! Leslie strongly motivated me to become a part of this venture. Now, she’s more like a dear friend and feels almost like family to me. The opportunity for this project came along serendipitously in my life. In the world of Hollywood, there are gatherings specifically for individuals in the Latin community where you can meet friends and admired figures. I happened to arrive late at one such event, and as I walked in, everyone was socializing and enjoying themselves. Then, two producers I wasn’t previously acquainted with, Lynette [Coll] and Sergio [Lina], approached me and said, “You’re in our movie!” I was taken aback, wondering who these people were. Leslie was nearby, and I gave her a puzzled look, asking, “What’s going on here?” To which she replied, “It’s fine. Let me explain.
Initially, Lynette and Sergio urged, “Let’s snap a cast photo!” However, I was puzzled in my thoughts, questioning, “What’s going on? Who are these people? What movie is this? I’ve never heard about it.” So, I simply went along with the flow, posing for the picture. Later, Leslie and I ventured to the restroom, where she began sharing details about the film. She explained the plot near the restaurant bathroom, saying, “I’m part of this project. Here are the others who have joined.” She mentioned receiving a call from Rene and added, “I’m not sure which sister character you’ll portray. You could be either.
Reading through the script initially, I might have chosen to portray the other sister myself, but I’m grateful I didn’t as Lio [Mehiel] fits the Adult Violeta role exceptionally well. Additionally, I was nudged towards a new direction and compelled to step out of my comfort zone, which turned out to be quite rewarding. Many aspects of Eva resonated deeply with me on an emotional level, making it a particularly moving experience for me. Therefore, Leslie was the primary factor that drew me to this project.
As a dedicated fan, I want to express my admiration for how skillfully you managed the press tour for “The Flash” when we were both navigating through an uncertain DC universe. You were the sole actor handling press during this period, and it must have been challenging to tackle all those large, unanswerable questions, especially since they pertained to your very first film. Can you share with us, from your perspective, how you felt about handling such a daunting task at that time?
I truly appreciate your words and they hold significant value for me. The process wasn’t easy to navigate, let me tell you. It was a mix of joy and worry as I went along. Excitement coursed through me, but there were many unresolved questions on my mind, making it a bittersweet journey. Fortunately, I had an incredible team by my side to help me through. They included dedicated publicists and an outstanding makeup artist and hairstylist who took great care of me. However, I fell ill during this time as well, losing my voice. Consequently, I found myself in a sort of automated state, just to ensure I could still speak. But despite that, my team was exceptional. My makeup artist would gently wake me up at four in the morning and chill water in a sink for my face. It might sound harsh, but honestly, it was quite endearing. She made sure I didn’t appear sick during those tough times.
Reflecting on the fact that I recently completed an extraordinary movie, I found myself reminding myself of my accomplishment and the hard work I put into it. Regardless of its future trajectory, I knew that no one could take away what I had achieved. At times, as a first-time filmmaker, I felt unsure of my place in this new realm, but I was grateful to have friends and family who encouraged me, reminding me of my worth, my strength, and my ability to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Despite being unwell during that period, I cherished every moment – the interviews with ardent fans, the premiere – even though it was a dream come true for me as I had once walked those streets when I was in college. The whole experience was truly magical.
During the summers, I felt incredibly fortunate to work, even though I was utterly tired. As an actor, one never knows what’s coming next, and I was overjoyed to be working, particularly with Alessandra, who is a queer Colombian woman. In such moments, it’s essential to remember the immense beauty around us. Recently, I spoke with my lawyer, and I’d like to share her quote: “Don’t grumble about how full your plate is when all you ever wanted was to be filled.
I like that.
Absolutely, my legal advisor, Sloan Whiteside-Munteanu, shared with me that her mother often said this phrase to her, and I responded, “Well played.” It’s important to recall that such moments were the very dreams we cherished during our childhood years.
Were you and Leslie supporting each other through the challenges and changes in that continually developing movie world?
Oh my goodness, yes! I’ve often said that her parents chose a fitting name when they called her Leslie Grace, as she carries herself with such elegance and grace. Frankly, I don’t know how I would have managed without Leslie. She seemed to bear the weight of hardship more than most, yet she was this radiant beacon of love and kindness. She was simply breathtaking. To put it plainly, she is family to me. I could reach out to her at any time, and we’d always support each other unconditionally. Despite the complex and difficult circumstances that brought us together, we were able to forge a genuine and sincere friendship. It was incredibly selfless – we were there for one another, and I am truly grateful that we found each other during that time. So, in many ways, we both consider ourselves quite lucky to have formed such a strong bond and become the best of friends.
In a twist of fate, I found myself in an unusual position when my first appearance as Supergirl was captured by the paparazzi. This was during the original ending of The Flash, where it seemed like I was laying the groundwork for my future adventures within the DC universe. That particular episode saw Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman connecting with Barry Allen outside the courthouse.
Right.
Isn’t it even more aggravating when you realize that the footage you captured could have led to more, but didn’t?
Indeed! That character was truly dear to me, we’ve had countless discussions about her journey ahead. When I agreed to take on the role, it was for a multi-film contract – a practice often seen in franchise productions. So, when things didn’t go as planned, it was both heartbreaking and perplexing. However, I know I gave it my all, and whatever the outcome, it wasn’t… [I pause to gather my thoughts for a moment.]
Your performance was highly commended, but unfortunately, the timing wasn’t ideal for it to continue.
I’d prefer to collaborate with individuals who appreciate and respect me, and are genuinely thrilled about working together. This is what I aspire for myself, and I believe it’s what everyone in this profession should aim for, but my past experiences have been challenging. Nonetheless, I am eager to engage with professionals in the industry who recognize my worth and share my enthusiasm. I have a wealth of talents at my disposal, and I adore my job so much that I can’t wait to excel once again. Action movies are my passion, whether they involve supernatural elements or not, I am eager to keep contributing to this genre. Regardless of the role, I am determined to continue doing what I love, and I know I will achieve it. Looking back, I view that experience as something incredibly beautiful. It was said that a queer Latina girl like me couldn’t play Supergirl, but I did, and no one can take that accomplishment away from me. What matters most to me is that I made a difference. Whether you saw yourself reflected in me or not, many people found solace and admiration in my character.
The other day, I entered a store and a large black security guard approached me and said quietly, “Hey.” I responded, “Yes?” To which he replied, “You’re amazing.” I asked, “What do you mean?” He continued, “You’re like Supergirl. You’re incredible. We admire you.” This interaction, where he recognized my performance, was a heartwarming experience for me and these small moments are incredibly valuable to me. So, I plan to keep going. I fulfilled my role, seized the opportunity given to me, and gave it my all. I cherish this achievement and feel proud of it, and I will continue to advance and challenge norms. I’m simply hoping to collaborate with people who are equally enthusiastic about working with me.
It’s significant that your outstanding performance has led to several job offers, among them one alongside Matt Damon and your fellow Flash cast member Ben Affleck. Given your past as a resident of Boston, are you excited about the prospect of collaborating with two of the city’s beloved figures, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, in Joe Carnahan’s RIP?
Absolutely! Ben is truly delightful; his kindness stands out. The warmth and hospitality from everyone has been overwhelming, and I’ve felt nothing but respect. We recently did a rehearsal [earlier this month], which was a blast. Matt wore a Boston cap, and it sparked my enthusiasm, so I exclaimed, “Let’s do this!” Working with them, Joe Carnahan, and the entire team is a source of immense pride for me, and I can hardly wait! The boy who once wandered the streets of Boston would be ecstatic about where I am now.
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In the Summers releases Nov. 5 on digital.
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2024-10-30 22:56