Raffiella Chapman – Vesper

By starrymag | October 11, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Vesper.

 

A) After the collapse of the world’s eco systems, Vesper, a thirteen-year-old girl, struggling to survive with her paralyzed father, uses her wits, strength and bio-hacking skills to fight for their future.

In Vesper’s world seeds are controlled by the oligarchs and genetically modified to create only one harvest for the poor. Vesper wants to unlock the seeds so the poor will never starve again.

 

Q) How was your character “Vesper” originally described to you?

 

A) The original casting brief was, “13, ethereal, inquisitive, tough and headstrong.” I got to read the script before I auditioned so I quickly learned that Vesper is a very complex character, taking on the responsibilities of an adult but at the same time, she is also a child yearning for a mother. But those four words were definitely a great starting point to build a character from.

 

Q) What was it about the film or about the role that made you want to be a part of the movie?

 

A) Vesper felt like a super-hero for our times and for my generation and I felt she could be an amazing role model for young people. She’s a symbol of resilience but also of hope, hope for the future of our planet. The script was incredibly compelling and the world building so detailed and unique that I fell in love with Vesper’s world and her story instantly. When I heard Kristina [Buozte] and Bruno’s [Samper] ambitious vision for the film I had no doubts it would be a very special project.

 

Q) Vesper’s father is paralyzed. Did you do any research into parental care for the disabled?

 

A) Richard [Brake] and I spent time with a paralyzed man and his caregiver in Lithuania before we started filming and hearing about their experiences was incredibly helpful and also humbling. I wanted to be as accurate as possible in my portrayal of a young caregiver and I wanted to put Vesper’s relationship with her father at the center of my performance. Vesper loves Darius fiercely, but she also finds him incredibly annoying, just like any teenage girl would!

 

Q) Bio-hacking is quite an intriguing concept. What sort of background did directors Kirstina Buozyte and Bruno Samper offer about the concept?

 

A) Like me, they were really interested in the idea of what genetically modifying seeds could potentially do to the food chain and their idea to create a character who uses her biohacking skills to defy that feels so timely. I recently watched Vandana Shiva’s brilliant documentary about how GM crops have destroyed the lives of Indian farmers. I’ve followed her ecological activism for some time, and I definitely think Vesper shares Vandana’s incredible passion and drive to solve these issues.

 

Q) Were you familiar at all with any of your costars before working with them?

 

A) I was a huge Eddie Marsan fan. I think he’s one of the greatest actors of his generation and he was on my list of people I would love to work with. Having the opportunity to act alongside him and learn from him was amazing – like the best acting class ever! I loved Richard Brake’s work on “The Mandalorian,” so I was excited to meet and work with him too. Like Eddie, he’s the loveliest man and an incredibly generous actor. We bonded very quickly over our mutual love of Taylor Swift!

 

Q) What were some of your most challenging scenes to film?

 

A) There is a big fight sequence between Vesper, Camelia (Rosy McEwen) and Eddie Marsan’s character Jonas and it was all done in one shot. That meant I had to give it maximum energy and accuracy every single time, but the result is a really great action scene. Filming in some very cold weather in very muddy peat bogs was pretty challenging too!

 

Q) What do you think it is about Vesper that you think audiences will take with them post-watch?

 

A) I hope they come away with a sense of hope for the future of the planet and energized to play their part. There’s a timely message in the film about the urgent need to deal with climate change and the inequality of the climate crisis. The Carbon emissions of the richest one percent more than double the emissions of the poorest half of humanity. And this is reflected in Vesper’s world where the disparity between rich and poor is huge. Ultimately, the film has a message of hope that like Vesper we can change everything. But we have to act before it’s too late.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you intrigued by the instant fan feedback you’ll be receiving to the movie?

 

A) I think I was scared rather than intrigued, but so far the audiences have responded just as positively as the critics. Vesper breaks with genre in so many ways and is very different to typical Hollywood sci-fi films so it might not appeal to all sci-fi fans. It’s quieter, more cerebral and more emotional.

 

Q) What are the other projects you have been busy working on?

 

A) My biggest project since Vesper has been my GCSEs! I took six of the toughest ones early to get them out of the way so I can devote more time to acting. I’ve recently worked on a contemporary adaptation of The Tempest and an indie movie called Sweetbrother. Next year I’m filming another lead role in a very exciting movie but at the moment I’m sworn to secrecy!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?

 

A) I know there are loyal fans who have followed my work since “Miss Peregrine,” and I really appreciate that support. Between acting and schoolwork, I don’t interact on social media a lot but I love seeing their supportive comments and all the amazing fan art I’ve received for “Miss Peregrine” and now for Vesper. It’s so lovely when people invest so much of their time creating work based on a character I’ve played. I have lots of it on my walls at home and it’s a reminder of why I do this. I know certain actors or characters have really touched my soul and I hope I can do the same.