Collider: When this script came your way and you read it, what was your initial impression?
Did it feel very relevant, even then?
You have people who give a shot to control nature, like the fishermen.
And then, we have my character, who is trying desperately to just keep her family afloat.
NIELSEN: I think that oftentimes a director creates a tension and intent through casting.
NIELSEN: It was very small budget, and [Hardiman] really did wonders with it.
Image via Gunpowder and Sky
She was very, very good at making every dollar stretch towards the right spot.
What did you like about working and collaborating with Neasa Hardiman as a filmmaker?
NIELSEN: Well, you have three female characters that are really strong, in each their own way.
Image via Gunpowder and Sky
Its a woman who knows how to describe real women.
Did that also help create a sense of claustrophobia?
The galleys of the boat were very tight.
Image via Warner Bros.
Its completely without vanity.
Theres just this depth of trust between people, except of course with the newcomer.
Did you and Dougray Scott do anything specific to establish the relationship with your characters?
NIELSEN: Dougray and I just established this natural rapport, right away.
So, we had a natural energy together.
I felt a lot of respect from him.
Hes that kind of actor.
We made sure that we were technically providing that experience for the audience.
We definitely wanted to see to it that was clear.
I think that the scenes were so well written that they took off by themselves.
It was a really great shot and a really comfortable experience throughout the work day.
Do you know if that ultimately made it into the finished film?
NIELSEN: Im so sorry, but I cant talk aboutWonder Womanstuff at all.
We cant talk about that.
Was it exciting to see that?
I really hope that well be able to continue to speak to young women like that.
It was an incredible experience to see people who just didnt know they were hungry.
And people started questioning.
They would even say publicly, Oh, Im not a feminist.
And Im like, How can you not be?
How can you not be for women?
We have issues, and we have to deal with these issues.
We have work to do.
You saying that youre not a feminist is really not helpful.
So, seeing how women woke up to that was so refreshing, to be honest.
It was really lovely.
We were hidden from the world, but we were our own highly cultivated and highly cultured society.
Do you have your own personal checklist, or is it really an instinct when you read something?
NIELSEN: I gravitate towards things that tell a story that needs to be told.
I gravitate towards stories about women who are standing on their own.
I dont want to adhere to the poor and trite pop images of what women are supposed to be.
Sea Feveris available On Demand and on Digital on April 10, 2020.
