成人大片 grad in Oscar-nominated film Women Talking
Kira Guloien is in the film Women Talking, which has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Watch above to hear her talk about the experience and share advice for aspiring actors. (成人大片/YouTube)
When Kira Guloien found out she had landed a role in the Oscar-nominated film Women Talking- starring Academy Award winner Frances McDormand and directed by renowned Canadian writer/director Sarah Polley - she couldn鈥檛 believe it.
鈥淚 was in the grocery store with my partner (when I found out). I hung up the phone and just looked at him - and we shared the longest, happiest hug in the laundry detergent aisle. It was very emotional,鈥� she said.
Guloien, 32, who is originally from Edmonton, graduated in 2012 from 成人大片鈥檚 theatre program (now known as Performance Acting), which is part of The Creative School.
Since then, she鈥檚 been cast in Dr. Zhivago on Broadway, played the role of Mrs. Walker in Tommy at the Stratford Festival, been selected for the iconic role of The Sheriff (of Nottingham) in the Boatrocker鈥檚 upcoming Robyn Hood series for Global TV, had a guest appearance on CTV鈥檚 The Good Doctor, is in CBC鈥檚 Murdoch Mysteries, was a guest star in two episodes of Coroner, and been on stage in countless other productions.
But this film stands out.
It鈥檚 the first movie she鈥檚 been in that鈥檚 been nominated for an Academy Award. Women Talking is up for both Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars on March 12.
The Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination is Polley鈥檚 second. Her first came in 2006 for the film Away from Her, also in the category of Best Screenplay. (Polley first became a household name in Canada when she played the role of Sarah Stanley in Road to Avonlea from 1990-1996.)
Inspired by true events
Women Talking is based on a 2018 novel by Canadian author Miriam Toews, and inspired by true events that occurred in a Mennonite community in Bolivia between 2005 and 2009, when women were drugged and sexually abused by men.
鈥淭he film is an imagined response of the women,鈥� Guloien said, explaining that some wanted to do nothing, some wanted to stay and fight, and others wanted to leave.
鈥淚 think this film will start a lot of important conversations,鈥� she said of the star-studded production, in which she plays the daughter of McDormand鈥檚 character - a role that Polley wrote specifically for her.
Since her character is one of the women who chooses to 鈥渄o nothing鈥�, Guloien notes that she doesn鈥檛 actually have any lines in the film. Still, since her character is torn between honouring her mother鈥檚 desire to stay, and protecting her young daughter - she says the role was a special opportunity since the character is pivotal.
She also says that despite the gravity of the storyline, the experience during filming was remarkable.
"There was just so much humour on the set, and everyone checked egos at the door. It was a masterclass watching everyone work,鈥� she said, noting that a therapist was also on-set to help ensure it was a safe space. 鈥淓veryone鈥檚 voice was welcome at the table.鈥�
Advice for young actors
When asked about advice to current students or other young actors, Guloien is quick to acknowledge the challenges of breaking into the industry.
鈥淪o much of this industry is luck,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 important is to do the best you can with what you can control- which is to work hard.鈥�
鈥淚f you鈥檙e not currently hired, hire yourself,鈥� she added, noting the importance of creating opportunities and 鈥減utting yourself out there鈥�.
鈥淎nd practice. So, when you do land something, you鈥檙e ready.鈥�
Watch the video above to learn more about Guloien鈥檚 experience in Women Talking.
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