‘A bigger budget doesn’t mean a better movie’
A dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where the Earth’s ecosystem has collapsed is the setting for Marsan’s latest film, the critically acclaimed sci-fi tale, Vesper.
It follows the 13-year-old title character’s attempts to build a better life not just for herself but for what remains of the world in this bleak vision of the future. Marsan plays her Uncle Jospa, the leader of a cult who manipulates and controls those around him.
“Although it’s set in the future or somewhere far away, it’s a warning about the situation we are in now – about what could happen and the dilemmas we’re facing,” he says. “The environmental implications shown in Vesper are fascinating.
“Someone described my character as being Fagan-like – he has all these kids he seeks to be benevolent towards but he is actually abusing them in some way.”
Despite its eye-grabbing effects, Vesper is an independent film with a relatively small budget, and that was part of the attraction for Marsan.
“It’s one of the most visually stunning films I’ve ever been involved in and that was one of the reasons I was interested in doing it,” he continues. “The interesting thing about film-making is you don’t need studio backing – sometimes creativity comes from having limits and forces you to make a creative decision.
“Sometimes if you put £250 million in the budget, no one needs to make a decision because they can afford to sort it out later, and then you end up with a £250m bland film.
“Sometimes I’m offered big blockbusters and the part isn’t good or it’s something I’ve done before, so I choose not to do it. Sometimes the smaller, independent films are more creative and challenging, so I’ll do them.”
The film was shot in Lithuania during the pandemic, and stars teenager Raffiella Chapman in the title role.
“It was very strict guidelines on the film set and we’d go back to the hotel afterwards and there would be no restaurant open so we had to get the Lithuanian version of Deliveroo. I was there with Richard Brake, who plays Vesper’s dad, and he’s my best friend, so we’d sit and chat each night.
“Raffiella has a maturity as an actress that is quite remarkable. She is so understated. A lot of young actors try to force emotions and communication, but she does the opposite and conveys so much by doing so little and that shows a great competence as an actor. I was blown away by her – she’s going to be a big star.”
Vesper is available on demand and in cinemas from October 21