What was it like working with Charlie?

Mescal: I was kind of in awe for a first film to involve a pretty remote location and two actors – one of them a child actor who hasn’t worked before. But Charlie just puts full trust in the words that she’s written and the people around her to do their job and then supports you from the ground up around that. She’s very gentle in how she approaches actors and how she was able to navigate talking to Frankie about her character. One of the greatest joys that I got from the experience was seeing Frankie really enjoy the process of acting. Also, when you’re acting with a child, you don’t sit around talking and contemplating – with other adult actors, you can kind of talk (a role) out of existence. Whereas with Frankie, you go into it and whatever she decides or whatever happens, happens, and you run with it.

Corio: Charlie gave me all these tips when I was filming – just good, confident advice. She’d help me a lot to do it right. She had ideas that made it a really good film because it felt more natural. I think she’s a really good director.

Any favourite moments during the shoot?

Corio: My birthday! When I was at lunch, they brought out a big chocolate cake, and all of my family and friends were there. Although that day there was a part in the movie where I needed to cry, and that was very hard. I didn’t wanna cry because it was my birthday, and I was so happy. The audience doesn’t know Calum’s backstory. Did you learn more about him, or did you come to your own conclusion?

Mescal: If I had any pressing questions, they would be answered, but the film is almost in total from Sophie’s perspective, so the whole point is she doesn’t fully know what her father is experiencing. Some of it was consciously kept unelucidated so the integrity of the perspective of the film could be protected. To me, it feels like a crystallised version of Sophie’s memory of her father.

What do you hope viewers take away from this movie?

Mescal: Is the message of the film about cherishing memories that we have with loved ones while they’re happening? I think people will decide what the film’s about for them, and I think that’s what a good film should always do. I don’t think it’s telling you what to feel; it’s a film that made me laugh when watching it; it also made me emotional. It’s loads of things. I really hope people like it and respond to it.

Corio: I’m very excited to see it, and I can’t wait until it comes out so I can show all my friends.