One Eyed Girl is a dark thriller about a psychiatrist haunted by a patient’s death – should audiences be prepared for a tough ride?
The film asks tough questions. Can we fix ourselves? Can we change? Can we become more than our pasts? Where do we turn to for a connection to something greater than ourselves in a world that doesn’t value that? I think the film is hopeful and honest in the way it examines real dilemmas we all face as people who have strayed from the path and yearn for something more from this life.
How psychologically demanding was your role as the protagonist, Travis?
Very. When we meet Travis he is in a real state of inertia, incapable of making good decisions. He’s trying but losing. Something in him is screaming out for change but he has no idea how to affect that in his life. He goes on a massive journey into himself and comes out the other side achieving the one thing he wanted to do, which is to help someone.
Does Travis have any hope of earning a new start after losing his job at the hospital?
Not in the field that he is in. I think he realises that he is completely ill-equipped to offer any sort of guidance or care to the patients placed in his charge when he himself is hanging on by a thread. He’s lucky to be alive, really, and before he can be in any way a productive member of society the guy has to ask some pretty serious questions of himself.
You’re going on a promotional Q&A tour for premieres nationwide – do you always enjoy these kinds of events?
Yes and no. It’s nice to share the work that you’ve made with people and to see how people respond to it, but it can also be confronting for the same reason. What was once such a private venture is now in the world and you have to deal with what you made. I’m a little nervous about this one, as it’s such a raw and exposed character. That’s frightening. There’s nowhere to hide.
This is not your first foray into dark subject matter as an actor. What do you find most fulfilling about the challenging side of cinema?
I’m always trying to get my hands on the best material I can and stretch myself as far as I can. You are only as good as what the material demands. Essentially, though, I just like making films. It’s the most beautiful medium.
One Eyed Girl (dir. Nick Matthews) opens Thursday April 30, with a Q&A screening on Friday May 1, at Ritz Cinema, Randwick.
