Shoshana is certainly one of the most emotional, politically loaded films at the BFI London Film Festival 2023. The movie isn’t only about the true-life love story of Alice and Geoffrey Morton but also about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Geek Vibes Nation had a quick chat with director Michael Winterbottom (A Mighty Heart), actress Gina Bramhill (The Flatshare), and actor Oliver Chris (Emma) about this beautiful, honest and heartbreaking film.
Geek Vibes Nation: Hi Michael, first of all, congratulations on the film. You co-wrote the script with Laurence Coriat (Everyday) and Paul Viragh (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll). How did the collaboration go?
Michael Winterbottom: I worked with Laurence before and Paul before. We’ve worked on this script over a long period. It’s always lovely to work with people. When you make a film, you’re collaborating with hundreds of people. It’s always more enjoyable to share the problems and work if possible.
GVN: Did you write the script in person, online, or over Zoom/Skype?
MW: In general, it was like I would do a version, send it to them, they’d write across it, send it back. I know lots of writers who, when they co-write, they’re together to discuss it. I’d instead type it, send it to someone else, and then they can type over it.
GVN: The cast of this movie is fantastic. How did it all come together? Do you always decide together with the casting director, or do you leave it up to them?
MW: It’s one of the most important decisions you can make as a director, so you don’t leave it to only the casting director. If you’re working with a casting director, it can be great; they can give ideas and suggestions, but ultimately, it has to be your choice as a director. We have a lot of great actors like Douglas Booth (Loving Vincent) and Harry Melling (The Pale Blue Eye), whose work I know, and it was pretty easy to meet them and so on.
It took a bit more work to cast Shoshana. I saw a film that Irina Starshenbaum (T-34) was in a few years ago, and she was really strong in that. I wanted Shoshana to be a very strong, independent woman. Thomas Wilkin (Booth) is attracted to her ideas and energy, the fact she has this political idealism, and the fact that she is strong. We were lucky to have found Irina, and she’s fantastic.
GVN: The movie is set in Tel Aviv. Did you already show the film there?
MW: We have an Israeli distributor, and the plan is to release it in November there. I think some people from Israel have seen it already. There are also people here today from Israel.
GVN: Will it be released in the UK in November as well?
MW: No, some places in Europe, such as Italy, will also have a November release. The movie will be released in America next year. Hopefully, there will be a UK release date around the same time as the American one.
GVN: Hi Gina. How are you? Are you excited to be here?
Gina Bramhill: I’m good, thanks. And yes, I’m very excited to be here.
GVN: You play Alice Morton in this movie. What can you tell us about her?
GB: Alice Morton is a real-life person, and she’s married to Geoffrey Morton, who Harry Melling plays. They were stationed in Palestine, Israel, during the conflict in the 1940s, and they tried to make a new life for themselves there. My character was oblivious to what was happening, so she was very new to the political situation. She was experiencing it for the first time.
GVN: What made you say ‘yes’ to this role?
GB: Mainly because of Michael Winterbottom, but also because the subject matter is so interesting. Alice was a real-life person, and that’s not usually the role you get to play. There’s a lot of research and care involved in this role.
GVN: And how was playing together with Harry as your on-screen husband?
GB: Oh, amazing. We had such a giggle. I got some great selfies. Which, you know, when you are doing something so heavy, it’s good to laugh. When we had our car explosion, it didn’t just happen one time; it was at least seven or eight times in a row. Each time, it was terrifying.
GVN: Apart from this film, do you already have other projects you’re working on?
GB: Yes, I’ve got a lovely Paramount Plus series called Miss Fallaci that is coming out soon, and hopefully, a second series of The Flatshare, which is also Paramount Plus.
Geek Vibes Nation: Hi Oliver, First of all, congratulations on the film.
Oliver Chris: Thank you very much.
GVN: In this movie, you’re playing the Chief of Police, who’s going through a lot of emotions, right?
OC: Yes, Ralph is the Chief of Police for the British, and a decent guy caught up in a difficult time. He must make tough decisions and ultimately gets caught up in serious unpleasantness.
GVN: And what was it about the script that made you want to say yes to this movie?
OC: You don’t say no to Michael Winterbottom. It’s as simple as that. I know nothing about the Israel-Palestine conflict. I’m not hugely educated on the subject, but I’m aware of the situation, and to get involved in the subject with Michael at the helm is a no-brainer.
GVN: And what was the most brutal scene to shoot because there’s a lot of violence?
OC: It was all enjoyable. You’re an actor, so you’re just pretending. When the most horrible things are happening to your character, it’s fun in a weird way to watch it happen. It’s delightful to make. It’s fun to play morally ambiguous characters. Now, they’re not fun in real life, right? But as an actor, to play them is a gratifying, engaging, and satisfying process. And I hope that level of satisfaction comes across on the screen.
GVN: Do you think you would ever be a good policeman?
OC: No, I’d be a terrible policeman. I hate authority. I can’t stand the rules. Whenever I’ve had any authority, I’ve thrown it out the window. I’d be a better criminal!
Shoshana was screened during the BFI Film Festival on the 7th of October and will have a repeat screening on the 10th. You can check last-minute availability here. There is no US/UK release date yet. The movie is courtesy of Vision Distribution