Jacob Elordi stars in new Australian TV series | 7.30

Key Concepts

• Raw Truth & Honesty in Cinema: Capturing undeniable honesty and intimacy through deliberate framing and editing.
• Cinematic Presence: An actor's ability to draw the viewer's eye beyond mere performance, conveying a sense of reality and depth.
• Human Story vs. Historical Piece: Focusing on the personal experiences and emotions of characters rather than a purely factual representation of historical events.
• Immersive Character Building: A process involving extensive research, study, and personal reflection to fully embody a character.
• Osmosis in Performance: The subtle influence of research and preparation on an actor's performance, even when not consciously displayed.
• Restraint in Acting: Conveying deep emotions and complex relationships through subtle gestures and understated performances.
• Memory and Trauma: Exploring the psychological impact of war and trauma on individuals and their perception of reality.
• Shared Experience & Catharsis: The therapeutic and unifying effect of working collaboratively on a meaningful project.
• Stripped-Back Filmmaking: A minimalist approach to filmmaking that prioritizes artistic expression and collaboration over hierarchical structures.

Jacob Lordi and Justin Kurzel's Collaboration

• Justin Kurzel's Influence: Jacob Lordi describes Kurzel's work, particularly "Snowtown," as a "cinematic awakening" due to its "raw truth" and "undeniable honesty." He emphasizes Kurzel's deliberate and intimate filmmaking style, which "grabs you by the throat" and forces engagement.
• Jacob Lordi's Cinematic Presence: Kurzel chose Lordi for the role because of his "cinematic" quality, noting that he possesses something beyond performance that draws the eye. Kurzel observed Lordi's ability to listen and react authentically in scenes, making him a compelling choice.
• The "Lure" Back to Australia: Kurzel expressed his desire to bring Lordi back to Australia for the project, highlighting the significance of working with Australian talent on Australian stories.

Adapting Richard Flanagan's Novel

• Authorial Blessing: Kurzel recounts a conversation with Richard Flanagan on Bruny Island, where Flanagan encouraged him to "find your way with it" and "make it your own," emphasizing the importance of focusing on the "human story" rather than a purely historical depiction.
• Human Story Focus: Flanagan's advice to focus on the human element, specifically Doro's perspective, was crucial in shaping Kurzel's approach to the adaptation.
• Longer Form Benefits: Kurzel believed that the structure of the book, with its different time periods, would be well-suited to a TV series format.

Character Development and Preparation

• Jacob Lordi's Preparation: Lordi had a year to prepare for the role, during which he immersed himself in research, studying cinema, Japanese war poets (like Basho), and war archives. This extensive preparation allowed him to "live in things" and develop a deep understanding of the character.
• Manifestos and Training: Kurzel provides actors with "manifestos" – a pre-season training period involving reading, listening, and experiencing things connected to the material. This aims to create a sense of osmosis, where the research subtly influences the performance.
• Leaving the Books at the Door: Despite the extensive preparation, Kurzel emphasizes the importance of being present in the scene and reacting authentically to the environment and other actors.

The Love Story and Restraint

• Doro's Character: Lordi notes that Doro is a man of few words, a trait derived directly from Richard Flanagan's portrayal in the book.
• Collaboration with Odessa Young: Lordi credits his co-star, Odessa Young, and Kurzel's direction for creating the intense and restrained romantic scenes. Young's "undeniable energy" and Kurzel's long takes allowed them to "live in" the scenes.
• Counterweight Dynamic: Doro's internal nature serves as a counterweight to Young's character, who is portrayed as full of life and expressive.

War, Trauma, and Responsibility

• Personal Connections to War: Kurzel and Flanagan both have family connections to war, particularly the experiences of prisoners of war (POWs). This personal connection instilled a sense of responsibility in telling these stories authentically.
• Legacy of War: Kurzel recalls his childhood experiences of seeing the effects of war on veterans and their families, emphasizing the importance of keeping these stories alive for younger generations.
• Unique War Story: Kurzel was drawn to Flanagan's book because it told the story of war through the "prism of a love story," making it unique and touching.

Depiction of the Jungle and Trauma

• Memory of Dargo: Kurzel's approach to depicting the jungle was based on Dargo's memory and Richard Flanagan's descriptions of a "ghoulish world" with fire pits and exotic sounds.
• Bodies as Storytellers: Kurzel was struck by the reference shots of emaciated bodies, emphasizing the importance of capturing the physical deterioration and suffering of the prisoners.
• True Scene Responsibility: Kurzel acknowledges the responsibility of accurately portraying a true scene of violence and emphasizes the importance of creating a secure and comforting set for the actors.
• Forced to Watch: Lordi describes the traumatic experience of filming the beating scene, emphasizing the emotional impact of being forced to witness the suffering of a fellow actor.

Working with Australian Crews and Catharsis

• Coming Home: Lordi emphasizes the importance of working on Australian stories with Australian crews, describing it as a lifelong dream.
• Shared Experience: Lordi found the experience of working with his fellow actors, some of whom he had attended drama school with, to be cathartic and therapeutic.
• Stripped-Back Filmmaking: Lordi describes the set as stripped back and minimal, with each department working towards a singular creative goal, creating a sense of unity and collaboration.
• No Hierarchy: Lordi highlights the absence of hierarchy on set, emphasizing that everyone was working together to make art that felt true and important.

Conclusion

The interview highlights the collaborative and deeply personal nature of adapting Richard Flanagan's novel for the screen. Both Justin Kurzel and Jacob Lordi emphasize the importance of authenticity, emotional truth, and honoring the human stories at the heart of the narrative. The discussion reveals a commitment to creating a unique and impactful piece of art that explores the lasting legacy of war and the power of human connection.