Alexandra Swarens – The Holiday Club

By starrymag | November 26, 2024

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) Congratulations on the new film, The Holiday Club! Please tell us about the premise and your character Bailey.

 

A) Thank you so much! The Holiday Club is about two people getting to know each other and forming a friendship that’s always had the possibility of more, but it’s kind of never the right time.

Bailey is a driven business owner, unlucky with love, who likes to make people happy through her sweet creations.

 

Q) Bailey is a character that is super relatable, how much of yourself do you see in Bailey or vice versa? 

 

A) That’s so lovely that you find her relatable! Hmm. I think it’s such an intimate thing playing anyone and trying to understand why they do things, there’s always some kind of enmeshment that happens. I do know one thing for sure, we both love sweets!

 

Q) What I love about The Holiday Club is that while the story between Bailey and Sam seems so simple it’s complex as well. What was the writing process like for this? 

 

A) It was fast! I think I had a couple of weeks, but I smiled the whole way through. I really love those two, and it’s not just the “will they won’t they” aspect of it; they deeply care for each other as humans. They don’t want anything from the other person other than their company. Who wouldn’t want that??

 

Q) You also directed it, which you did amazing by the way. What was that experience like as a director having to direct yourself? 

 

A) That’s so kind! Thank you! It actually doesn’t come with a lot of thought. [laughs] I think it’s because you know the story so well as a director, you always know where you need it to go, so you kind of just have to let it happen.

 

Q) Were you always in mind to direct and star in this?

 

A) Yes, I was! I wasn’t sure which character I would be playing though.

 

Q) Was there a scene that was more difficult to bring from page to screen?

 

A) Well, a location sadly fell through as they learned that it was a queer film and they weren’t so keen on that, so that was a scramble! We were supposed to be sampling cheeses at a certain shop, but we found a candy shop and sampled nuts instead. I just threw some different adjectives to Mak [Shealy] and we were good to go!

 

Q) Not giving too much away, my favorite scene was when Sam tried the green cupcake. It was so simple but so funny! Is there a favorite scene you shot that had you rolling behind camera? 

 

A) [laughs] Aw, I love that! Yes! The date between Sam and Kayla (Catherine Bagent), their first date. I couldn’t keep it together.

 

Q) What do you think makes The Holiday Club different from other holiday films? 

 

A) I know it’s a holiday film, but I don’t exactly see it as just that. To me, it’s about two people who are trying to figure it out as the holidays are happening around them.

 

Q) The Holiday Club was released through Tello Films on Nov. 19th. What kind of fan response have you been receiving to the movie?

 

A) I don’t know much about those things, but for the people who have seen something I’ve been a part of or someone who hasn’t and just happens to stumble upon it, I hope it brings them joy.

 

Q) What is the overall message you hope audiences take away from The Holiday Club? 

 

A) I really just hope it’s a fun watch. We don’t yet have many of those in this community.

 

Q) What’s next on the horizon for you? What can fans look forward to? 

 

A) I have two features that are finished just trying to find a home. And lots and lots of scripts waiting to be produced.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your work? 

 

A) I love you. Let’s get a drink, any kind of drink. Tea, perhaps?