THE NOVICE - INTERVIEW WITH STAR ISABELLE FUHRMAN
/Isabelle Fuhrman takes competitive College rowing to the next level in, The Novice.
Isabelle Fuhrman plays Alex Dall, a queer college freshman who joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself to her limits—and beyond, alienating everyone around her in the name of success. Fuhrman’s fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway’s bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one’s for you.
Lauren Hadaway is an LGBTQ+ writer/director with a background in sound editing and mixing. Born and raised in a town formerly known as Possum Trot, Texas, where not even the local video store carried much aside from major blockbusters, she developed a love of artsy films by reading about them in the newspaper and tacking clippings to her bedroom walls. She graduated summa cum laude with a double major in business and film from Southern Methodist University, before building a career as dialogue/adr supervisor on films including JUSTICE LEAGUE (both cuts), OPERATION FINALE, THE HATEFUL EIGHT, and WHIPLASH. She is a 2018 Outfest Screenwriting Lab Fellow.
Lauren’s debut feature, THE NOVICE, is inspired by her own experience rowing competitively in college. The film, which stars Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan), Amy Forsyth (Beautiful Boy), and Dilone (Halston), premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, where it won multiple awards including Best US Narrative, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography.
*** THE NOVICE NOMINATED FOR 5 INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS!!!***
*Best Feature THE NOVICE*
*Best Director THE NOVICE - Lauren Hadaway*
*Best Female Lead THE NOVICE - Isabelle Fuhrman*
*Best Female Supporting Actress - Amy Forsyth*
*Best Editing THE NOVICE*
I spoke with Isabelle Fuhrman about her intense work ethic to play Alex and I also got the scoop on the upcoming prequel to her hit movie, Orphan.