In the latest isolation pod, Anna chats to two creatives who are championing complex female characters in film, including intimate insights into women’s mental health.
Anna first chats to Tuppence Middleton, the star of mystery-thriller Disappearance at Clifton Hill. Inspired by the personal experiences of writer-director Albert Shin, the film follows Abby, a young woman haunted by childhood memories of witnessing a possible kidnapping. Tuppence talks about playing a flawed female protagonist and delves into the intricacies of Abby’s mind. She further explains how she found a convincing bond with her onscreen sister and takes a look back at her career so far, reflecting on past feminist roles.
Anna then talks to writer-director Rose Glass, whose debut feature Saint Maud achieved critical acclaim when it hit cinemas last year. This psychological-horror film follows Maud (Morfydd Clark), a reclusive nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient (Jennifer Ehle). Rose unpacks the individual acting styles of Morfydd and Jennifer, and dives into how she brought the complex character of Maud to life. They also discuss the surprising style of the film, Rose’s cinematic influences and the use of William Blake in the story.
Other movie mentions: Trap for Cinderella, A Woman Under the Influence, In Her Place, Skeletons, Mank, The Current War, Repulsion, Rosemary’s Baby, The Tenant, Persona, The Silence, Through a Glass Darkly, Taxi Driver.
Rose Glass 
Tuppence Middleton