VIDEO: Mexico Transforms THE GIRL Star Abbie Cornish
- Details
- Category: Interviews
- Created: Thursday, 07 March 2013 17:44
- Published: Thursday, 07 March 2013 17:44
- Written by Lupe Haas
CineMovie sat down with the Australian actress in a very casual office setting to talk about her new bilingual role in THE GIRL. From the Producer of Maria Full of Grace and the Executive Producers of Beasts of the Southern Wild, Abbie Cornish plays Ashley Colton in THE GIRL, a single mother trying to regain custody of her son. With little chance of making ends meet living in the border town of Laredo, Ashley decides to smuggle immigrants for some quick bucks, but the night time river crossing proves disastrous when one little girl loses her mother. Ashley is compelled to return the little girl to her town in Mexico and forced to look at her own life.
The actress liked the challenge of having to learn not only Spanish, but a Texan accent. “I’m one of those people that is attracted to the things that I fear,” she told CineMovie. She finds pushing herself “rewarding” and the benefits from being an actor is the opportunity to educate herself.
The Limiteless and Sucker Punch star certainly got an education when she signed on to star in the indie-drama directed by David Riker. Not only did she learn an entirely new language, but the Mexican people taught her another lesson.
“I see things more clearly. You got through an experience and all of a sudden you connect with everything differently.”The lovely and genuine actress says her Mexican hosts didn’t carry around the burden of their poverty, but were “giving” and “connected” “They look at you with their souls,” she added. She goes on to say in the interview that her “heart and soul” are connected to Mexico after this experience.
Part of her transformation was her new perception about immigration. She grew more compassionate about the immigration issue while shooting THE GIRL in Mexico. No longer were they just facts or figures, but it had a human side.
“They’re faces. They’re lives. Children, mothers, fathers…. “Not only did she bring back a part of Mexico in her spirit, but she left a big part of herself across the border. “Mexico changed my life for so many reasons,” said the Seven Psychopaths actress, and when she returned to the United States, she suffered from culture shock. She no longer saw the world around her in the same light.
She also picked up a few words from her time in Mexico. In Australia, the word “sweet” is often used for “cool,” but she wanted a Spanish word to substitute while speaking her new language. They taught her lingo and now she can’t help but use “chido” and “orale,” although she says people teased her that “chido” was old school and outdated. But that didn’t stop THE GIRL star from incorporating it into her everyday life.
The language isn’t the only thing the Hollywood actress takes away from her time working on THE GIRL. Abbie Cornish’s character isn’t the only person evolving by the end of the film as the film’s tagline suggest; “The journey will change her forever.” The actress’ admits her own journey brought her into a new state of mind.
THE GIRL opens in select New York City theaters March 8, 2013 and expands into other cities the following week. Check theater listings at davidrikersthegirl.com/theaters/
For more information and movie clips, to www.davidrikersthegirl.com.