Lola Sultan – Dakota

By: Paige Zinaman

Q) What can you tell us about Dakota and your character Alex?

A) What I loved about the script was the story. It had a lot of heart, even on the page.  The chance to bring Alex to life, a girl who is so different from me and work with a dog was a very cool opportunity. I loved it.

I play Alex Sanders.  Alex is young girl in a tough situation. Her father was a Marine who died a few months before in the war in Afghanistan and Alex is trying to keep it together and help her mom (Abbie Cornish) take care of their farm that is struggling to stay in business. Dakota belonged to my dad, and she worked with him in the Marines.  My dad’s dying wish was to have Dakota brought home to us.  The movie is about how the arrival of Dakota helps change things in a good way for our family, our farm and our town.

Q) What was it about the role of Alex that drew you into this project? 

A) I like that Dakota is a family film – almost old fashioned in some scenes but at the center of the story is a family, one that was torn apart and is brought together by love for one another and this wonderful dog, Dakota.  My character, Alex, my mom (Abbie Cornish) and my grandfather (William Baldwin) are the family that remains and they are all hurting and adjusting to the loss of my dad.

Q) This storyline is very beautifully complex in this sense of the themes that it deals with. What was your preparation like into production?

A) I’m sure I’ve read the script a hundred times. I worked with an acting coach, which was helpful. We focused on being authentic and delivering the big emotional moments with care. There are several big scenes for me in the film…scenes where I’m experiencing anger, joy, fear, sadness, uncertainty and concern – practicing those moments, losing myself in the story and thinking about how Alex would say the lines – that takes lots of practice, but I love it. It’s the best part about acting for me.

Q) Talk little about what it was like working with Abbie Cornish and Billy Baldwin. Did they offer you any advice while you were filming?

A) Working with Abbie was fantastic. She is one of my role models and an exceptional actress.  We spent a lot of time together on and off set preparing for the film.  Each day we’d run lines for that day and the next day.  She is a real pro and is very focused on hitting the right beats in each scene, so the intention comes through. She had thoughtful suggestions for me which I still use today.

I loved working with Billy Baldwin, too.  He is a great actor; a perfectionist always hitting every take and I really was thrilled to meet him.  He played my grandfather “Monty,” and we had a blast working together rehearsing scenes and doing some sightseeing.  He also taught me how to drive a golfcart, which is a memory I will treasure.  Billy is a great dad (he told me all about his kids) and a funny storyteller; I could listen to his stories all day.

Q) When you think back to getting the call, did Dakota exceed any preconceived thoughts you may have had going in?

A) I did a few auditions for the role of Alex and had a call back. I was thrilled to be cast in the film and was looking forward to shooting with Abbie, Tim [Rozon], Patrick [Muldoon], William and finally getting to meet Dakota.  But the film was greenlit for production in the middle of the pandemic before the COVID vaccine was widely available. So, I was a little worried about what it would be like on the set wearing masks, social distancing and all the PCR testing. But the team @ILBE (Iervolino Lady Bacardi Entertainment) in Italy was fantastic. We managed to have a great experience shooting the film even with all the safety measures.  I hope I can go back to Italy again soon.  I just loved it there – the people, the culture, the history and the food are amazing.

Q) I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask what it was like to actually work on a set where a dog is your scene partner. Was it hard or easy for you do those scenes? 

A) I spent my first four days in Italy training at a dog school called Jacoclub. In fact, we had two dogs “cast” to play Dakota.  Both dogs (Nikkita and Ashley) are Belgian Malinois breed, and they are smart. They are dogs that need a lot of training, focus and exercise. They are not hanging around the house type of dogs. These are dogs that like to work and be challenged with tasks and lots of action. I learned all kinds of training exercises and we rehearsed scenes where Dakota had to do specific things – like dig, chase, jump, heel, cuddle, follow me on a bike, steal an ice cream cone, etc.  The dogs were given commands in Italian, and I learned to work with them directing them with words, signals and giving treats of course – which were cut up hot dogs and little pieces of beef jerky.  The trainer’s main tool is a bright yellow tennis ball. The dogs loved that ball! They will follow the ball, the trainer and whomever has treats hidden in their pocket.

Q) What is the message you hope viewers take away from Dakota?

A) Family is everything and that even after a big loss you can feel better and grow into your new life even if you are missing someone. The love a great dog can certainly make an amazing difference in your life.

Q) Social media plays a huge role in films nowadays, where feedback is instantly thrown at you, how has that been for you as an actor? Do you love that you can instantly see those comments from fans?

A) Yes, social media and publicity is a big part of promoting a film. I try and help on Instagram and Facebook the best I can.  I’m thirteen [years old], so my parents manage my accounts, but I’m very involved and love to support the other actors, producers, distributors and everyone who was involved getting the film made and released. I appreciate the feedback I get from people on social media and it’s nice to be in touch with friends from all around the world.

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

A) I’d like to say thank you, I love the work I do as an actress and I’m truly grateful for the support. #KindnessRules

Q) Any other projects that you have coming up that you want to share about?

A) I just finished shooting two shorts (Children of Darkness and For a Moment) for students at USC Film School. I really like working with the students on their thesis projects. They are so creative and inspiring.  I’m shooting a commercial next week and I have a new film coming up too, shooting this summer.