Rachel Sennott – Tahara

By starrymag | August 30, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) In the beginning we are treated to one of the most incredible non conversation conversations. The looks, expressions, and eye exchanges between you and Madeline are absolutely exceptional. Talk about how you constructed together this unspoken chemistry that was all about the expression over the delivery of dialogue.

 

A) That scene was so fun to shoot.  I feel like it’s so real especially when you are in high school and you are in situations where you can’t talk and you have to communicate with your friend and you figure out this secret language to say literally anything without talking.  I loved that part of the script.  Then, with Maddie [Grey DeFreece], (she might have mentioned this too) but we met the night before we started shooting and we were staying in the same hotel. So, we got dinner together and we got to know each other.  We clicked and had so much fun.  We would hang out every night after shooting and watch “Game of Thrones” and then run the scene for the next day.  I feel like we had a natural chemistry and it was easy to build off of that and improv and play off each other in this scene.

 

Q) There is this great balance of humor and honesty within the film that teeters close each way but never ends up tipping over too much. How did you add in the humorous elements without it coming off too slapstick or over dramatic?

 

A) When I read that in the script I was like, “Okay…” I feel like they did such a great job of writing in really specific dialogue that is both so funny but also so true to what it is like being a teenager.  Also, I think the first line I read when I was auditioning where I was like I love this, is the scene in the library.  I don’t want to give it away, but the dialogue when they are talking to the side and they are talking about hooking up, it’s so funny to me because it’s really vulnerable but the way that scene talks because they are awkward and uncomfortable.  The moment with Tristan (Daniel Taveras) too that my character has I feel like in her head she is being smooth and it’s this love story being drawn out, but he literally could not care less.  Like in the beginning in my character’s head I am like he is looking, he’s boring his eyes into me, and he really is actually zoning out.  I feel like there was a lot of that written into the script which was a lot of fun.

 

Q) “Tahara” is observing cleanliness of the soul, the clothes, and the surroundings. But there is nothing clean or pure about what happens throughout this one day we see unfold within the film. It’s all about lies, deceit, and manipulation. How does the meaning of Tahara really contrast to the toxic relationship we see within the movie?

 

A) I feel like it’s just such a pivotal day for the friendship.  I think when I was talking to Olivia [Peace], Hannah’s perfect day would be that they get in there and they get out as quick as possible and she doesn’t have to confront any of her feelings.  I think for me, especially at the beginning of the film, I am trying so hard to not feel emotional or to feel grief, so I am going to get a bagel and then take all of the inside out of it and then I am going to put on cream cheese and then look at Tristan.  Like do anything to stop myself from feeling grief and then it comes anyways.  Then, losing the friendship on top of that, I feel like it’s almost because of the day it had to come out and it’s an accelerator.  It feels like one of those uneven friendships which I feel like it is so real. Especially in middle school and high school where you have these uneven friendships and there is a strange power dynamic.  I feel like this day brings that out and accelerates the natural course of it.

 

Q) What’s interesting or funny in a certain regard is that when someone is asked about Samantha, they don’t have much to say or they say they didn’t really know her. No one had this great friendship or relationship, and Hannah completely obliterates any other friendship she has.  Throughout the film I don’t feel bad for Hannah, but at the end I do have a small bit of empathy. 

 

A) Yeah. I know, it’s hard. I feel like when you are playing a character you always have to be on their side.  I feel like there are so many places for people to be like, “Wow, Hannah is kind of being a bitch here.” When I was thinking about her, I was like, “I feel like she is just like all the other kids so insecure and dealing with these feelings of guilt and confusion and all this stuff.” I feel like whenever you are thinking that that it almost feels like anything she does is defensible, especially to herself.

 

Q) You have this other film in Outfest called Shiva Baby, maybe Hannah will be sitting shiva for her friendship with Carrie because she has no one else in her life seemingly and this is her end of everything at this time we see.

 

A) Well, it is really sad at the end because it’s like the only person who didn’t think you were annoying you are mean to.  But I think it’s also probably because I think Hannah does have a fear of people not liking her or wanting to be her friend.  I think that’s what causes her to be so controlling and manipulative.  It’s just funny because it’s ultimately the thing that pushes literally everyone away from her.

 

Q) I think it’s also a large part of her lack of self-awareness in all aspects of who she is and the entire day.

 

A) Yeah.  In absolutely everything.  When I was reading the script, I was like, “Oh, yes, she does this too,” such as making Carrie go get her some water, drinking the cup and then handing it back to Carrie.  All of these little things that I feel like she just is focused with what is going on in her head and her feelings and because of that she misses out on all of these other things.

 

Q) I feel like she has this teen tunnel vision, and Hashem help whoever gets in her path, which really tends to often and mostly be Carrie.

 

A) Maybe who knows, maybe the day will change her.  But probably not.  One day.

 

Q) What did you really take away from being a part of the film or what you really hope has been evoked to the film’s audience?

 

A) I feel so lucky.  This was my first feature that I was in and I feel so lucky to have this have been my first experience.  The cast and the crew were amazing, the writers were amazing and the director was amazing.  It felt like just such a welcoming and positive environment.  I feel like we just had so much fun making the movie together.  I think what I hope people watching the movie see is a very complicated female friendship.  I do feel like a lot of people do have friendships like this.  I know I had a friend who I think she was more of the Hannah where you’re like you love them and you just don’t want them to be mad at you.  I had so much fun doing a role like that and I really hope the friendship resonates with people.

 

Q) These events take place in a day and at the end of the film it really is brave of Carrie to cut ties with this friendship. There are people who have Hannah’s in their lives forever.

 

A) I know!  Yeah, totally.  There are people who have that into adulthood of like a toxic friendship and can’t get out of it. I guess, hopefully, they see this movie and they cut off their toxic friends.