Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

O-C: Where did you even begin?

NLISSE: I started with doing a little bit of research. But of course, it's also based on a play so that was very helpful. I kind of base myself off of the script because at the end of the day, that's what people are going to watch. I definitely think that watching the archives that I found of her and the interviews of her speaking helped me. The first thing that really struck me was how full of life she was.

She felt so warm, so kind and so nurturing. I think that's what Louise and I really wanted to showcase in the movie. We obviously tell her story and all of the atrocities that happened to her. But at the end of the day, we really wanted to show a bright side to her, and we really wanted to inspire a lot of hope with this movie.

O-C: How did you connect with Sophie, especially being so close in age. Did playing a young woman like this change you in any way or make you think about what you can do to exude good in the world?

NLISSE: Thats exactly it. I think putting out good in the world is really what I resonated with while reading the first draft of the script. And I think Irena was such a great example of that.

I think one thing she really taught me was to think about kindness. I used to do it before but now it's just a constant reminder. After making this film, it lives with me every day how important it is to do even a little action.

I think Irena did so many heroic things that I don't know that I could ever accomplish, but I think it's a constant reminder that a little goes a long way. It could be smiling at someone or complimenting them or helping them in a small way. Its important to look around and try to go out of your way to help people. I think those little actions can have a huge ripple effect and end up making really an impact and a difference.

O-C: The film was shot mainly in Lublin, next to the Ukrainian border. What was that experience like?

NLISSE: It was definitely very intense. It was a weird context to be shooting there, but very emotional. It also helped me at the same time because we felt the ramifications of the war being so close to us. There were refugees and soldiers at our hotel so it definitely helps me to feel closer to Irena's story. It was also a reminder of why we had to do this movie and why stories like this are still important to be told.

Shooting in Poland was another life-changing experience. Our crew did an incredible job with the set to make them look so realistic. Just being around swastika flags, SS uniforms and rifle rain machinery helped me tap into the emotions. It made it very real.

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Original-Cin Q&A: Sophie Nlisse on Playing a Holocaust Heroine in Irena's Vow Original Cin - Original Cin

Category: Holocaust
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