‘This story needs To be Told’
Oscar nominee Samantha Morton, 42, plays a single mum in I Am Kirsty…
Tell us about Kirsty…
She’s a single mother-of-two who has fallen on hard times. She’s in a very difficult situation and the story is about how we see her face her problems and how she goes about finding solutions to those problems.
What was it like to film in such an unconventional way?
It was very liberating. It was all improvised but based on a fully informed script that has very clear direction. We filmed incredibly long takes. We would go on all day and then we would pause to breathe and then go again.
Did you enjoy the improvisation?
With improv, we have to find the words that are necessary. It isn’t just filling the silence with words that aren’t needed. It’s about being that character in front of the camera – but you never know where the camera is going to be, so it’s about staying in character. What are you hoping to achieve from this style of filmmaking?
I think this particular story needs to be told. It has been said in many different ways, but I think that until certain things in society change it will come to the surface again.
I Am Kirsty, 30 July, Channel 4