Natalie Dormer Stars as Heroic Doctor in ‘Audrey’s Children’ – Director’s Insight

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The movie ‘Audrey’s Kids,’ set to hit theaters this Friday through Blue Harbor Entertainment, is based on the true tale of Dr. Audrey Evans (played by Natalie Dormer), a pioneering pediatric oncologist who revolutionized the treatment of Neuroblastoma, a typically fatal childhood cancer. This drama, written by Julia Fisher Farbman, is directed by Ami Canaan Mann, whose diverse storytelling abilities span across various genres including romantic dramas like ‘Jackie & Ryan’ and crime stories such as ‘Texas Killing Fields.’ Additionally, she has worked in television productions like ‘The Blacklist,’ ‘Power,’ and ‘House of Cards.’ Mann discusses the documentary that shaped her directing style for this film, shares what led her to collaborate with Dormer, and reflects on her experiences working alongside her father, Michael Mann, during the filming of ‘Heat.’

What inspired you to direct this film?

The script contains a scene where Dr. Audrey Evans, the main character, interacts with one of her hospital patients, a child, discussing the concept of mortality to help them prepare. Reading this scene made me reflect, “Oh dear, no one wants to find themselves in that situation, especially when dealing with a child whose life is at stake and you’re acutely aware of the possibility of failure.” I found it incredibly selfless, and she often faced such challenges as a pediatric physician throughout her career. To me, this kind of courage and dedication to helping others makes Dr. Audrey Evans a true hero, and her story is one I’d be eager to share.

When was the specific moment you realized Natalie Dormer was the right choice to play Audrey Evans?

As a film aficionado, I recently had the pleasure of listening to Peter Weir’s insightful interview about casting. He elucidated that the key is identifying the spirit of the character necessary to propel the story forward. The quest for the perfect actor revolves around discovering who can embody this spirit and already embodies it naturally. Meryl Streep, a versatile actress, possesses an inherent “Meryl” essence in every role she plays. For my latest project, I required an actress with a deep emotional and intellectual intensity, as well as the ability to exude softness and empathy towards children. After watching the remake of “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” I was captivated by Natalie’s on-screen presence, specifically her powerful shoulders and subtle turn towards the camera that spoke volumes. In that moment, I knew she was the one.

Which historical works or biopics influenced your approach to filming?

My primary inspiration might lie in Barbara Kopple’s “Harlan County, USA”, particularly its raw realism and the rich tapestry of textures she weaves within the film. It’s a documentary, yet it immerses us deeply into a unique, lived-in world populated by complex, relatable characters. The storytelling carries an empathetic tone that I aimed to replicate in this movie. I wanted to create a textured universe that felt authentic and believable. To avoid making the visuals too sentimental or overly soft, it was crucial to maintain a consistent, engaging visual style. If we could establish a visually coherent and captivating world, viewers might find themselves drawn into this narrative for the full hour and a half.

How are you able to approach a film about an overwhelmingly sad topic — in this case, very sick children — and make it have enough levity to be a well-rounded work that examines Evans?

That was the intriguing riddle, also the demanding directorial task. A significant aspect of it involved the cinematic style, making it alluring to draw viewers in. Fundamentally, it was a character study, which shaped every visual aspect, from shot design to performances. As I’m quite focused on camera work due to my photography background, every composition and element was influenced by the character herself – a pediatric oncologist who worked with children battling cancer. The narrative revolved around this woman, a brilliant mind, showcasing her movements in both flawed and unflawed ways.

Is there a piece of advice your father gave you about filmmaking that you still consider while shooting new projects?

Instead of giving me advice per se, our conversations were more about father-son matters. To be honest, movies weren’t a topic we delved into deeply, but from the get-go, I had this dream of working with my dad on one film project from start to finish. As luck would have it, that opportunity presented itself when we collaborated on “Heat”. However, I wasn’t directly employed by him; instead, I worked under the line producer as an assistant. There was another assistant who handled the day-to-day tasks, so my role was more about solving puzzles like figuring out the gyroscopic helicopter mount, sorting out the infrared equipment, and coordinating with folks at Folsom Prison to facilitate visits by Bob and Val for interviews with inmates.

Ultimately, I took charge of the secondary team. This position afforded me a bit of distance from the main production, yet still kept me in the loop. It was like observing an A director’s journey from start to finish on a project, witnessing its transformation and his own approach change – not so near that I missed anything, but not so far that I couldn’t track his progress.

Watch the trailer for “Audrey’s Children” below.

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2025-03-29 01:47