In Glasshouse, on digital next week, a family confined to their glasshouse survives The Shred, a toxin that erases memory. That’s until the sisters are seduced by a Stranger who shatters their peace and stirs a past best left buried. We spoke to the film’s star, Anja Taljaard, about this very well-received film.
GVN: Wow- Anja!! CHILLING!!. Is there any other way to describe this truly original film?
ANJA: Thank you! I mean you’ve pretty much summed it up there haha. I mean another way I can describe this film, including the visuals, subject matter and all the complex characters is… entrancing. That’s how I felt when I saw it for the first time.
How would you sum up the film?
It’s a brilliant mish mash of everything that makes a film great. It offers tastes of so many different genres and touches on subject matter that affects our lives on a daily basis. It makes you think and keeps you on the edge of your seat, and It’s incredibly character driver which makes it so different from other films in these genres.
Now, I have to ask, was the coronavirus pandemic at the back of your mind during shooting? Did that play any part in the script?
Very much. We were all very aware of the fact that had one person on that set gotten sick we would have been shut down and the movie might have never had a chance to be completed. We stayed as safe as we could and really isolated ourselves. Kelsey often points out how it became a “life imitating art” type of scenario and that’s exactly what it became. That film world became our reality for that month because of how secluded we were. Ultimately I think it allowed us to really live ourselves into that world and funny enough allowed us to create the best version of that film that we could have.
Was that the appeal for you? That it wasn’t like every other sci-fi film out there?
I mean that’s a good way of describing it. It’s so different from so many sci-fi films out there. It’s incredibly character driven and the world and circumstances within the world isn’t something that I feel like I’ve seen before. Nothing about this film feels familiar to me and yet it deals with so much that every single person can relate with. It’s a totally new experience in my personal opinion.
It’s like an art film but with commercial sensibilities. Have you found a real crossover audience digging it?
We’ve had absolutely amazing feedback and questions so far which we’re so thankful for and which shows me at least that the film is doing exactly what it was made to do. Making people think and feel.
How did your producers pitch it to you?
I wasn’t really pitched. I was just contacted by my agent that represents me in South Africa (Artist Personal Management) and essentially asked if I could get a audition in by the end of the next day. I put everything aside and started reading and working on a first proposal and from the minute I picked up the script I already had a deep attachment to the world and the characters. Essentially I was sold immediately, now I just had to sell them on me.
Shot in your local stomping ground?
Actually not. We shot the film in South Africa yes but in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabetht) in he Eastern Cape. I was born and bread in Cape Town in the Western Cape.
Was it hard to shake this character off after the production?
From the get go I definitely had some similarities to Evie but also differences. It’s always hard to shake aspects of a character but it’s part of the winding down process. A few days back at home and I was all good again.
What’s next for you?
Nothing much at the moment. Just a few small things in some local productions. Hopefully some new things on the horizon soon.
GLASSHOUSE is on digital next week.
DC Fanboy! Superman is the greatest comic book character of all time. Favorite movies are Man of Steel, Goonies, Back To the Future
