BRAVEHEART.. BROKEN HEARTS
ACTRESS IN FRESH BID FOR OSCAR GLORY Star writes film on emotional abuse
Braveheart child star Mhairi Calvey is hoping for new Oscar glory – as a screenplay writer.
The 30- year- old, who played young Murron in Mel Gibson’s 1995 blockbuster, has moved behind the camera for a project inspired by experiences of men and women who have suffered emotional abuse. She said: “The idea had been in my head for quite a while. “I think while most people are aware of physical violence, they are not necessarily aware of the mental, emotional and financial abuse that goes on in homes up and down the country. I wanted to show the effects of all types of abuse. “I’ve known a lot of people who have suffered abuse and I went along to some group chats where people were in counselling. Hearing about it made me want to do something about it. “Abuse is something that happens to one in every two women and one in every four men. I think if enough people know as much as possible about the warning signs, they are less likely to enter into such destructive relationships.” More than 20 years after Braveheart won best picture at the Oscars, Mhairi wants to follow up that success. She said: “All being well, it will be ready to do the round of festivals at the end of the year. “I’m hoping to enter it in the short f ilm category at the Oscars. With such an important message, I want to make its platform as big as possible.”
Mhairi wrote the yet unnamed movie after playing an alcoholic and abusive mother in the short film Alan by Oscar-nominated Matthias Lebeer.
There is a crew in place and the actress, who was born in Glasgow and grew up on Arran, is about to start the casting process, with production expected to start in late summer.
Mhairi will be reunited with her Braveheart co- star Angus Macfadyen in a film about Robert the Bruce next year.
She said: “I would not give up acting for anything. I love it. I’m really lucky to be getting regular work.
“I landed a part originally intended for American Beauty star Thora Birch in the brilliant psychological thriller 3 Lives, which will be screened at film festivals later this year.
“Starring as Elizabeth de Burgh, Queen of Scotland, alongside Angus in Robert the Bruce was fun. I got to wear the amazing costumes I coveted when I was a kid on the Braveheart set.
“I’m slipping i nto per iod costume again as the lead in Victorian drama Fear the Invisible Man, which is still in production.”