TIFF 2012 is in full swing with an amazing line-up of films. However, with new films – especially independent films – comes the opportunity to put a spotlight on new, up-and-coming talent making their mark on the industry, one take at a time. One such actress is Raven Adamson, whom we had the pleasure of chatting with. Adamson makes her feature film debut – and TIFF debut! – with Laurent Cantet’s Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, playing the role of Legs. Her character is defined as “a strong, self-liberated, incredibly honest young woman known for the unexpected”.
“There are traits Legs has that I aspire to have”, she said, commenting on her character. “I felt compelled to take on the role”. Adamson had an interesting journey getting the role too. She participated – along with her classmates at Wexford Collegiate of Arts – in what was described as an “Industry Workshop” designed by the production company. Through that, the production company ended up giving her the part. She had much praise for Palme d’Or winning director. “It was an honour to work with [him]. [He] was very brave to come and film in a different country and language”, she said, further mentioning that it was made easier for him because the “theme of the film [was a] theme that plays out all over the world”, something she was able to learn from as well.
For those who are familiar with Foxfire, you will know that the book was first adapted into a film in 1996 by director Annette Haywood-Carter, who cast a young Angelina Jolie into the role that Adamson fills in Cantet’s production. When asked about how she prepared for her role – and if she looked to Jolie’s performance for inspiration – she provided a confident and delightful reply. “The 1996 version of Foxfire does not closely represent the book. I concentrated on the book and script”, she said. “The book was like a manual”. She did, however, say that one of Jolie’s roles was indeed inspiring. ” Jolie’s portrayal of Lisa in Girl, Interrupted I found more inspiring in terms of being a strong individual, not limited by societies idea of what she should be”.
At a very young age, Adamson shows maturity towards the arts and much of it is down to her education. Even though Foxfire was filmed over the whole summer last year, Adamson did have conflicts with her education. “I missed some school in September and February. Luckily it did not overlap with my theatre commitments at school”, she said. “I was a little crazy in February when I had to write my history exam on set; but my school was so supportive, finding a way to follow the rules and make it happen”. It takes a lot of dedication, patience and will to balance acting and education, but those who do balance them create a level of self-discipline that lets them juggle the ups and downs of what the industry can throw at them.
For a girl who is still in school, still partaking in theatre activities and now getting involved with films, she sure has a lot of interests! “I dance. I write poems and stories. I cook. I run”, she began listing away. She also studies Karate – which she had to put on hold during production to avoid injuries – and has a second degree brown belt! However, the one activity she still loves connects her back to the world of acting. “I love the drama focus program I am in”, she said. “I love the live aspect of it”.
Adamson demonstrates her passion for acting quite clearly but her goals are larger than that. On top of doing more movies with interesting characters, she wants to direct film one day. However, her biggest want is to work with other artists. “I am really interested in collaborative efforts, she began. “Working with people who are passionate about what they do. I know I want to be there”. Collaboration is a magical tool that can make the simplest of activities a golden achievement and once again, Adamson demonstrates her maturity with the understanding of this concept at such an early age.
Foxfire premiere’s at TIFF 2012, with all the screening details below. Adamson herself will be out and about as time permits. “I am back to school this week, so things are busy”, she explained. She did mention a film she definitely wanted to catch: Brandon Cronenberg’s Antiviral. Awesome to see the new generation of talent supporting one another!
TIFF 2012 | Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang Screenings: (For tickets, please visit: tiff.net/thefestival)
Monday, September 10th 2012 – Ryerson Theatre – 5:45 PM
Tuesday, September 11th 2012 – Cineplex Yonge & Dundas 7 – 3:30 PM
