Novelist Emma Donoghue joins writer-director and male ally Sebastián Lelio to talk with Anna Smith about his new film based on Emma’s book, co-written by Alice Birch. The Wonder, which has earned a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding British Film (and Girls On Film Award nominations for Best Feature Film sponsored by EON Productions, The Girls On Film Ally Award sponsored by IMDb for Sebastián Lelio, Best Cinematographer for Ari Wegner, and Best Female Orgasm sponsored by Intimacy on Set for Florence Pugh) is available to watch on Netflix now. This powerful film stars Florence Pugh as Lib, an English nurse who in 1862, following the Great Famine, is called to Ireland and asked to watch over an 11-year-old girl called Anna, who claims not to have eaten for four months, played by brilliant newcomer Kila Lord Cassidy.
In this episode, Emma Donoghue, whose previous novel Room was made into an Oscar-winning film, talks about the thrill of becoming a fan of her own work as brilliant and expert collaborators create films of her stories, and why Sebastián Lelio is a true ally. Also, Sebastián Lelio discusses with Anna the brutality of filmmaking and why creating a precise and delicate set is so important. He also talks about casting the “warrior-like” Florence Pugh, with her unique connection with the audience, and discovering the astonishing Kila Lord Cassidy to star opposite Pugh.
UK listeners can watch The Wonder on Netflix now.
Information and advice on eating disorders can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/
Other films mentioned in this episode include:
A Fantastic Woman, Sebastián Lelio, 2017
Gloria Bell, Sebastián Lelio, 2018
Disobedience, Sebastián Lelio, 2017
Room, Lenny Abrahamson, 2015
Lady Macbeth, William Oldroyd, 2016
Television series mentioned in this episode include:
Station Eleven, 2021-2022
Normal People, 2020
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Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith.
Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Producer: Lydia Scott
Audio Producer: Nic Wassell
Intern: Eleanor Hardy
House band: MX Tyrants
This episode is in partnership with Netflix.
Girls On Film