Amanda Adrienne Talks Avenged
Steve Barton
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There’s a large amount of talk on the web right now about Avenged (review), a hardcore horror-thriller about a young woman who is brutally raped and killed by thugs but returns to life thanks to the soul of an Apache warrior. The movie, from newcomer Michael S.Ojeda, has been well-received by both horror critics and mainstream movie press with near every review singling out star Amanda Adrienne as a big part of the reason the movie works so well. We spoke to Adrienne as she prepared for the film’s Los Angeles theatrical launch.
Dread Central: The film has turned into a real monster online. You must be over the moon seeing your face, not to mention movie, all over the place at the moment?
Amanda Adrienne: When I saw the movie on those illegal sites over a year ago, I was kind of floored. Like, wow, people want to see this enough to pirate it. How do they even know about it? It’s a little surreal.
DC: But even in terms of the marketing online for the film – you’re everywhere! How long has it been since you completed the movie?
AA: Its been awhile since my part was done. We shot the trailer to get financing in October 2010, the movie in April 2012, and probably the last pick-up shots in August 2012.
DC: Wow, three years ago! Have you been able to travel for the movie? It opened in the UK last year, right?
AA: It did open in the UK last year. Yeah, it’s been all over the world for festivals. I got to go to Toronto in August 2013 for Fan Expo. The movie hadn’t screened anywhere yet. So, no one really knew anything about it, but it was a great experience for me. I got to meet the Soska Twins, Don Coscarelli, and Slash. It felt like a welcoming of sorts into the horror family. It was cool, and I really dig Toronto as a city.
DC: It’s great. I read you answered a Craigslist ad, and that’s how you got the job. Do you know how many others you were up against?
AA: Yeah, a friend from acting class forwarded me the Craigslist ad seeking an actress. I ended up auditioning and getting the part. No idea how many ladies I was up against. I guess that’s something I try not to think about going into auditions. It can end up being self-defeating.
There are so many odds against you. You just have to ignore the odds. Get to that place where it’s just you against you.
DC: Was there any concern from the producers’ point of view that you mightn’t be able to carry the movie, being that it’s your first lead?
AA: I can remember being paranoid that they would replace me during the time between shooting the trailer and shooting the actual movie. But that’s normal actor paranoia from what I’m told. The producers never expressed anything to me directly if they did have concerns. I’m sure they did. But luckily, I didn’t have to hear about it.
DC: And the movie wouldn’t have been the same without you! In terms of preparation for the film, what did you do have to do? Fight training, obviously?
AA: Yeah, I trained at LA Wushu for 9 months with some amazing coaches. I took archery lessons. Michael had me work with the stunt choreographer on specific fight sequences. For the other aspects of the character, I did a lot of research and journaling and exploration. Since Mangas Coloradas is a real person, I felt very obligated to his truth and the truth of the Apache people or at least my understanding of it. I had a sensitivity about how I wanted to approach him as a character and always with a sense of honor and respect.
DC: Was there a fight choreographer on set? Did you find those scenes at all daunting?
AA: Absolutely. The stunt team was great. They really worked with me and pushed me. I’m not the most natural athlete, but I do work hard. I’m just grateful for everyone’s patience with me quite honestly as far as the fights.
DC: What about when you’re covered in all that gunk – be it blood or dirt. Is that uncomfortable? Does it drive one a little crazy?
AA: It’s funny. The first couple days it was kind of exhilarating, because I’d never done a horror movie before. I can remember being covered in blood staring out at the vast desert sky and thinking – wow, I never would have imagined this moment in the string of moments that make up my life. But yeah, after a while it does start to drive you a little crazy. Surprisingly, the contact lenses drove me the craziest. I tried to just let that feeling feed the character.
DC: At any time during production did you find yourself going a little ‘Zoe’ yourself?
AA: I think any project I work on, be it a feature film or a short film, is fuelled by obsession for me. And that obsession starts to bleed between myself and the character creating this feeling of going crazy. I went a little Zoe in that sense.
DC: Why do you think critics are responding to this movie?
AA: I don’t know, but I’m happy that they are. Michael never compromised his vision, and we all poured our hearts into it. I guess passion attracts passion every step of the way.
DC: Has the movie opened doors for you?
AA: Fingers crossed it does. Or I guess I’ll have to open them myself.
Avenged is screening at the Arena Cinemas in Hollywood from Friday, March 6th, and is available on VOD day and date. Look for it on DVD April 21st.
Synopsis:
While traveling across country, Zoe, a lovely deaf mute woman, stumbles on a horrific crime – a gang of rednecks slaughtering two Native American boys. Zoe’s brave attempt to save one of the boys seals her fate. She is captured, raped, and left for dead. When an Indian shaman finds her clinging to life in a shallow grave, he attempts to save her – but something goes horribly wrong. The spirit of an ancient Apache warrior takes host of Zoe’s dead body. So now she walks amongst the living, hell-bent on getting revenge. One by one she slaughters the men who brutalized her, while the clock ticks away on her quickly decomposing body.
Categorized:News
