Tessa Thompson on Reimagining hedda Gabler: A Deep Dive into Character, Costume, and Directorial Inspiration
Tessa Thompson is captivating audiences with her portrayal of the iconic, complex character of Hedda in a new film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. The actress reveals a meticulous preparation process, drawing inspiration from past performances while forging a distinctly modern interpretation.
Thompson didn’t shy away from studying predecessors. She specifically cited Cate Blanchett and Fiona Shaw as influential in her approach. “It was a gift to see what they did,” Thompson shared with Empire magazine, lamenting the lack of available footage of Nina hoss’s Berlin stage performance.
However, Thompson strategically limited her engagement with previous interpretations.After a single viewing of each,the production team decided to fully commit to thier unique vision. “Eventually we thought, ‘You no what, we’re doing something completely different,'” she explained. “This script became the bible, and that really set us free.”
Immersing Herself in the Era
The film reimagines the story within a 1950s setting, prompting Thompson to delve into the societal expectations placed upon women during that period. She focused on the literature available to women at the time, believing Hedda would have been a voracious consumer of etiquette guides. “I was very curious what women were told about themselves during that time,” Thompson noted.
Costume played a crucial role in developing Hedda’s character. The striking green party dress wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was a intentional storytelling device. Thompson and the team envisioned the dress’s voluminous shape as representing Hedda’s initial presence and power.
As the film progresses,the dress subtly diminishes alongside Hedda’s emotional state. “We loved the idea of Hedda taking up a lot of space with the sheer circumference of this dress,” Thompson described. “So we had all these underpinnings that we would take out, depending on where we were in the evening, and chart this emotional landscape.”
A Glimpse into Future Directorial Aspirations
Thompson’s admiration extends beyond acting. She’s been inspired by the directorial debut of her Creed III co-star, Michael B. Jordan. jordan successfully balanced starring in and directing the film, a feat Thompson found deeply impressive.
Thompson confirmed she’s actively considering a move behind the camera. “Yeah, absolutely. I have something in mind,” she told IndieWire.
She praised Jordan’s leadership style,emphasizing his grace under pressure and unwavering respect for his team. “He would take a breath and figure it out and go back in there and treat everyone with respect,” Thompson recalled. “That, to me, is the mark of someone that can really do this because it should be, at its best, a team sport.”
Thompson’s dedication to her craft, combined with her insightful observations on character development and the collaborative nature of filmmaking, positions her as a rising force both in front of and perhaps behind the camera. You can expect compelling and nuanced work from this talented actress for years to come.
