EXCLUSIVE
Subjected to a homophobic attack, drag artist Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) exacts a unique revenge when he chances upon his tormentor Preston (George MacKay) in Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s London-set Femme. Speaking at the Berlin Film Festival before the SAG strike, MacKay (1917) and Stewart-Jarrett (Candyman) tell Teasers about one of the year’s most thought-provoking thrillers…
Femme is a powerful watch. What was it like to make? George MacKay: It was really emotional but thrilling. There was a real energy. It was a very young crew, as well. And the whole film, the volume is turned up to 11. And it’s also very real, and we didn’t have a huge amount of time to make it. So we just threw ourselves at it. The whole thing was a sprint in a really thrilling way.
After Jules is beaten by George’s character, Preston, he undertakes risky revenge. Why? Nathan Stewart-Jarrett: Jules wants to take something back. There’s something taken from him. And he does it in such a way that doesn’t bring him happiness. I don’t think I believe in revenge. I think I believe it in theory, but actually, I wouldn’t end up doing it.
What was it like becoming Preston? GM: I’m not particularly aggressive in my day-to-day… so it was like having a big shout. You know when you just roar, and it actually feels really good? I couldn’t really feel like him until I had my hair shaved, until I wore the costume, until I had the jewellery.
How was it playing in drag? NS-J: It was very painfu
