Carey Mulligan talks about filming "She Said." Image Source: Indie Wire
Carey Mulligan talks about filming "She Said."
The actress Carey Mulligan, who plays a New York Times journalist in "She Said," shares her experience of working on such a path-breaking topic and project with People magazine at the 2022 AFRI fest.
Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan shared that when she took on the role of a journalist who exposed the sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, she took it very seriously. She said that she thinks that the entire cast and crew felt the weight of responsibility and felt that on other jobs too.
Carey explained that there is a significant amount of stress and weight of commitment, especially when somebody plays a character based on a real person, but the storylines they are sharing with the world are so genuine and recent, not just to the individuals who were involved in the film, but also to the individuals who are going to watch the film.
The actress said that people who worked on the film are aware that the story they are sharing will impact people who go and watch it in the theaters, so they felt like it was a huge responsibility, and they took their responsibility very seriously. Carey Mulligan plays reporter Megan Twohey in the movie, and actress Zoe Kazan plays Jodi Kantor. She stated that her biggest joy from the entire experience was celebrating the premiere with Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, along with the survivors.
Carey mentioned that Megan Twohey gave her unfettered access to her life, as she had the opportunity to meet and bond with the reporter to understand how she would like to portray her on-screen. The actress stated that she has never played an actual living person, but she has been reading autobiographies, so her role was really thrilling, and she is simply the coolest person. So Carey stated that she wished to be her buddy and that she wished for her to like her.
The actress said that their kids hung out together as they had play dates, adding that Megan Twohey is just so generous and amazing. On a serious note, Carey said that meeting her and having a conversation with her was helpful for her and screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz, as they were able to detail how Megan and Jodi not only broke the news to the world but also how their story impacts their lives. Carey Mulligan noted that one of the most interesting aspects of playing Megan Twohey is that journalism is a profession for her; it's not just a job, and she noted that it stems from this deeply ingrained belief that her profession is to reveal and expose injustice and misinformation.
Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor broke the news to the world after 80 women came forward with accusations against Harvey Weinstein, who was eventually convicted on charges of first-degree criminal sexual acts and third-degree rape in New York in 2020. Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in jail. He was granted an appeal in August, and his attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated that they are optimistic that the court will discover that Harvey Weinstein did not get a fair trial and will overturn his conviction. Harvey Weinstein is facing trial in Los Angeles for additional sexual assault allegations as he prepares to face additional charges in London.
She Said is directed by Maria Schrader and is focused on the behind-the-scenes story of how New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor broke the news of Harvey Weinstein's doings to the world in 2017, which went on to spark the #MeToo movement. The cast of She Said also includes Samantha Morton, Tom Pelphrey, Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Adam Shapiro, and Jennifer Ehle.
Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor's reporting won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for exploding, influential news reporting that revealed wealthy and influential sexual abusers, including accusations against one Hollywood's most powerful producers, holding them accountable for long-suppressed accusations made of coercion, brutality, and victim silencing, sparking a worldwide moment of truth about sexual abuse of women.
She Said will be in theatres on November 18th.
