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Tessa Thompson Defends Hedda Gabler's Rage
16 Dec
Summary
- Thompson empathizes with Hedda Gabler's character and suppressed anger.
- She explored Hedda's complexities through archival performances.
- The film explores class and womanhood, not race, as central themes.
Actress Tessa Thompson fiercely defends the character of Hedda Gabler, finding profound empathy for her struggles and impulses. Thompson relates Hedda's "leftover rage," often suppressed by societal expectations, to experiences common among Black women. Her portrayal in Nia DaCosta's adaptation aims to interrogate these universal human emotions.
To embody Hedda, Thompson immersed herself in archival footage of past performances, even having a "Hedda breakfast" with acclaimed actress Fiona Shaw. This deep dive illuminated Hedda's complexities, particularly her navigation of class, sexual agency, and womanhood within restrictive societal norms of the 1950s.
The film explores these themes as textural elements rather than overt statements, allowing for a nuanced portrayal of a woman whose choices are shaped by limited options. Unlike Ibsen's original, this adaptation offers Hedda a chance at a different path, reflecting on the choices we make and the possibility of future change.
