You may not have heard of Elizabeth Olsen yet, but you will soon be able to see her in several new movies. The beautiful, young actress will be sharing the screen with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver in Red Lights; and in Very Good Girls she will appear with Dakota Fanning; while, in Liberal Arts, Zac Efron, Allison Janney and Josh Radnor will be in Olsen’s company in 2012.
San Diego LGBT Weekly sat down with Elizabeth Olsen at a rooftop hotel pool recently to discuss her first film, Martha Marcy May Marlene, a psychological cult story, which was an audience favorite at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Director Sean Durkin also contributed to the conversation.
San Diego LGBT Weekly: What kind of research did you do to get into the mind-set of Martha?
Elizabeth Olsen: I didn’t do any research. I got cast about two or three weeks before we started filming. Had I had more time, I probably would have asked about what I should read or what I should do. We never talked about doing research because it was never about approaching it from the cult. This ‘person’ needed or wanted something. She ended up in this place; these things happen; and it affected her in A, B, and C ways. It was as human as possible. I figured out different ways for me to relate to her.
Were you influenced by the Charles Manson story and all the women who followed him?
Sean Durkin: Yes, yes. When you begin looking into cults, that is inevitably where you start. I moved on to other groups that are around today. I don’t know why I was fascinated with the cult world. I was drawn to these women who were completely transformed and had their souls sucked out of them.
Elizabeth, how do you feel about that?
Elizabeth Olsen: The images we have seen of those women in court was exactly not what I wanted to do. If you play it like the past idea of them, then it is no longer part of this present world. We wanted to stay away from the brainwashed, far-gone look that so many cult films have shown.
What was it about Elizabeth’s audition that made you choose her?
Sean Durkin: She was just different. At the first read, she made an interesting choice. She wasn’t trying hard. She was relaxed and intense. You could see on her face that her mind was working. She’s also a very vibrant person. I thought burying her bright personality under that of her character Martha would give it an energy and a depth.
How do you think Martha’s relationship with her sister overlaps that with the cult?
Elizabeth Olsen: There is something clear that her sister and her family never provided for her in her past. Something was missing and needed as a young woman. She was isolated on her own. The first time she ever experienced those things she needed was with this cult of people.
Who played your sister?
Elizabeth Olsen: Sarah Paulson. She’s the best. She’s amazing. She’s like the nicest person. She’s so much fun.
What was it like working with such fine actors as Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes?
Elizabeth Olsen: Sometimes I get intimidated by the people I’m working with. This is only my second film. I didn’t feel that anxiety because of the way Sean directs. I was eager to learn from them. As actors, they are so generous. They care so much about the larger picture. They have no egos whatsoever.
How did you get to make your first movie?
Sean Durkin: I have a production company. There is no studio. We’ve had several features and shorts at the Cannes Film Festival already. We had a track record and an ability to make films and proved it at the New York and Sundance festivals. I just sent the script to people and got them to come forth and make the film.
Elizabeth, are you intent on making this your profession and are you convinced this is what you want to do?
Elizabeth Olsen: I’ve been wanting to do this since I was eight years old. When I was ten, I asked my parents if I could start auditioning. They said, “Sure.” So I went on auditions. My ballet teacher said I had to stop dancing because I was going on too many auditions. I started doing acting conservatories when I was 16. Now that I’m 22, I’ve gone to acting conservatories all over the world. I’m such a nerd about the actual education of acting. I love theater. There is nothing else I want to be doing. I hope my choice of films leads to longevity in a career.
