Julia Louis-Dreyfus delves deep into the emotional turmoil of a mother facing her daughter’s terminal illness in her latest film, Tuesday. The A24 drama, directed by Daina O. Pusić, explores themes of loss, resilience, and the intimate bond between parent and child through a heart-rending fairy tale lens.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the film’s release, Louis-Dreyfus shared insights into her challenging role as Zora, a mother confronting the impending death of her teenage daughter Tuesday, played by Lola Petticrew. “I’m not going to lie, it was very challenging,” Louis-Dreyfus revealed. “I was happy to do it, to tell the story, but it wasn’t easy.”
The 11-time Emmy winner tapped into her own experiences as a mother to bring depth to her portrayal. “Everything about being a mother prepared me for this role,” she explained. “I understand the ferociousness of the bond between parent and child. I live and breathe that.” Louis-Dreyfus, who has two sons, Henry and Charlie, with her husband Brad Hall, drew from her personal life to depict the intense emotions Zora faces.
In Tuesday, Zora navigates her daughter’s terminal cancer diagnosis with the surreal presence of a talking macaw, representing Death, who aims to prepare her for the inevitable. The film portrays Zora’s journey through denial, grief, hope, and acceptance in a story that Louis-Dreyfus hopes will resonate with audiences and spark meaningful conversations.
Louis-Dreyfus also praised her co-star, Petticrew, for their emotional intelligence and the close bond they developed during filming. “Lola is a very gifted actor… They brought a depth to the role that was crucial for portraying the complicated nature of this parent-child relationship,” she noted. The film emphasizes the physical and emotional intimacy between Zora and Tuesday, enhancing the narrative’s impact.
Reflecting on her own experience with breast cancer, Louis-Dreyfus acknowledged that it heightened her awareness of mortality and informed her portrayal of Zora. “I am very aware of my mortality, and it has made me more attuned to the themes of the film,” she said.
Louis-Dreyfus expressed her hope that Tuesday will not only entertain but also move viewers and encourage discussions on profound topics. “I think there’s a lot to be said for seeing this film with other people in a community, given what the subject matter is,” she added.
Tuesday, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, is currently in select theaters and will expand nationwide on June 14.
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