Women need to be behind the camera too... that’s how more people’s stories get told
Balance, Not Symmetry is the story of an art student whose is left reeling when her dad dies. Stars Laura Harrier and Bria Vinaite chat about grief and the rise of women in film to GEORGIA HUMPHREYS
FEMALE friendship is the focus of many a film that hits our cinemas. And that’s what is at the core of coming-of-age drama Balance, Not Symmetry, from filmmaker Jamie Adams (it was made in close conjunction with Scottish band Biffy Clyro).
Part of the appeal for stars Laura Harrier, 29, and Bria Vinaite, 26, was how it stresses that in your 20s “the most important relationship in your life is that with your best friend”.
“It’s rare to see. These girls really love each other and they’re each other’s most important relationship – it doesn’t have to be romantic in order for it to be important,” notes Chicago-born Laura, who’s also starred in Spider-Man: Homecoming and BlacKkKlansman.
The friendship isn’t without its issues, of course. But in the end, they “get through them together”.
“I think in most movies, if she’d have slapped me, I’d have stopped being her friend – but that didn’t happen,” Lithuanian Bria – known for her role in comedy-drama The Florida Project – notes.
So, we know there’s a slap scene: “The first few takes, she was doing it so light, that by the third one, I literally screamed at her, ‘Slap me for the sake of art, Laura!”’ recalls Bria, and they both laugh.
But what else can we expect from Balance, Not Symmetry?
Well, it centres around Shirley-Caitlin (Laura), a Scottish-American art student studying at Glasgow School of Art, whose life is turned upside down when her father dies. She decides to finish her third-year studies after the funeral – but struggles to deal with her own sense of loss. Trying to regain balance in her life, she finds inspiration in fellow student Hannah (Bria).
Discussing why these characters felt right for them to play, Laura suggests: “First and foremost, our relationship with each other was really the
foundation of this film, and finding these characters was about these two girls finding themselves through their friendships and the trials of their lives.
“And obviously, it being improvisation-based, a lot of our self is in it, but I think we’re both still definitely playing characters – this isn’t a documentary about being Laura and Bria.
“It was, I think, some of our own life experiences influencing these characters. You know, dealing with loss, and dealing with this friendship...” she elaborates. The pair can obviously relate, having leaned on each other to get through what was an intense shoot across various locations in Scotland.
“I definitely was a little homesick, for food and for weather,” confides Bria, who now lives in the US. Because it was really cold when we were there. And I missed hot sauce. We bought all the Sriracha they had at Sainsbury’s.”
“They only had three bottles and we bought all of them!” chimes in Laura.
Not only is Balance, Not Symmetry a moving piece of cinema, it also pays tribute to Scotland (particularly Glasgow), and its art and music.
Interestingly, as well as writing the score for the film, the lead singer of Scottish band Biffy Clyro, Simon Neil, worked with Jamie on the script too.
“I think it’s really special when a whole soundtrack to a film is done by one band – that doesn’t happen often,” notes Bria. “Going into it, I was really excited knowing it was all going to be a cohesive piece of work.”
The project definitely presented a totally new and different challenge for this lively duo.
Laura has just finished shooting a sci-fi film with Tom Hanks, called Bios, which is going to be out next year.
“I love doing big budget movies and having fun with that,” she says, “but then it’s awesome to be able to do something like this that’s a bit more artistic and creative.”
Bria, meanwhile, is currently busy making her own animated show: “It’s going to be a comedy, but will talk about important subjects like mental health and identity.”
There’s a lot of discussion at the moment about how this is a really progressive time for the TV and film industry.
Do they feel empowered knowing there seems to be more variety when it comes to roles for women now?
“Yeah, sure,” says Bria. “I also think it’s a really special time because way more women are getting into different positions than they have been.
“I’m creating a show right now – I’m producing it, I’m in it, learning all the different elements of everything else that happens is so interesting, and it makes me so much more passionate about creating. And the fact that, finally, more women are in these roles... it’s a really great time to be an actress.” “What’s so important as well is to have women not just in front of the camera but behind as well; directing and producing and writing,” Laura agrees.
“That’s how more people’s stories get told.”