From our occasional Eco Issues to DIVADirect's range of
eco-friendly vibrators, we're focused on tackling environmental
issues here at DIVA. Naturally, when we heard about Liquorice, a
new eco-film written by director Natalie Bible and starring The L
Word's Kate French, we jumped at the opportunity to find out more
about this ambitious project.
We caught up with the pair as they took a break from production
to find out more what tasty treats Liquorice has in store for
us…
DIVA: Can you briefly tell our readers what Liquorice is
about?
Natalie: Liquorice is a psychological thriller
that centres around the mysterious and hypnotic drink Absinthe -
Jade's in a relationship with Johnny, a struggling writer on the
verge of a breakthrough. Fascinated with Absinthe, he's written a
novel about the mysterious drink.
Jade's life is simple and uncomplicated until she finds herself in
a dark dream, aroused by a mysterious woman named Berlin [Brieanna
Steele]. Berlin is the perfect woman - her raw and exotic features
are unlike anything Jade has ever seen before.
Jade finds herself swept up in a world she has only dreamed about;
swallowing everything she thought was real. As the fantasy
world become more lucid, reality slips further away. Johnny's big
break is a result of Jade's nurturing companionship and he is not
about to lose her. Being pulled back and forth by two magnetic
forces, she has to decide who and what she wants.
DIVA: Kate, you play the character of Jade - what's she
like?
Kate: Jade works for an eco-company and is the
kind of girl that's friends with everyone. She's a free spirit… an
honest person who never wants to hurt others. She puts other
people's feelings before her own and it isn't until she is faced
with a life-changing decision that she realizes this is 'her' life
and she has to be true to the feelings within her. Her
exploration of desire starts as something innocent drawn from a
curiosity and then becomes something all-consuming, since her
decision not only effects her but others as well.
DIVA: That sounds intriguing. How did you become involved
with the project?
Kate: Natalie actually wrote [the character of] Jade with me in
mind. When I heard about the project and that she was essentially
giving me the gift of Jade, I was beyond flattered and
grateful. It's still sinking in! This story deals with so
much internal conflict that as an actor it's a dream role. I
already feel very similar to Jade, so this character will be the
closest to myself that I've gotten to embody. I've never
worked on a film like this - its going to be surreal.
DIVA: Natalie, what inspired you to write
Liquorice?
Natalie: I wanted to create a film that could be
a voice for those without one and also tell a dark, twisted and
powerful story. I have a deep admiration for Absinthe and the
artists that consumed it. I wanted to create a "green" film on all
levels and intertwining Absinthe and the environment made sense to
me. Absinthe is a completely organic spirit that really opens your
senses to experience and take in the world around you. It's taken
me five years to get this film made.
DIVA: How is it a "green" film?
Natalie: The film really supports environmental
sustainability. Our main characters each bring a dose of
environmental awareness to the storyline - Jade (Kate French) is an
environmental activist working for the Environmental Protectors.
Their goal is to educate other into reducing their carbon
footprint. Berlin (Brieanna Steele) is an eco-friendly artist. One
of our characters is also a vegan chef. We have a celebrated "Eco
Day" scene in our film that is a recreation of Earth Day.
Additionally, everything you see in this movie is eco-friendly. We
really wanted to showcase eco-products that people didn't know
existed, that's where our 120 eco-sponsors came into play. People
will be amazed when they see all of the things that they can buy
'eco-friendly'. Liquorice will really open minds and hopefully make
people want to 'do their part' to reduce their carbon
footprint.
DIVA: Kate, to what extend were you interested in the
eco-aspect of the film?
Kate: When Natalie told me they were doing
everything "green", I was amazed. I think it's such a
progressive idea and I haven't heard of a film doing it to this
extent. Our goal is to leave a carbon footprint as small as
possible while leaving a giant industry footprint for our peers to
follow. I'm honored to be a part of this film but even more honored
to be a part of this environmental movement. I definitely
have that 70's activist within me that Jade embodies. I think
the biggest way to make change is to lead by example, which is what
this film is doing.
DIVA: We have to ask, have you ever had an interesting
encounter with Absinth of your own?
Kate: I had never tried Absinthe before
Natalie! I'm still working on 'acquiring a taste' for
it. I did take a huge gulp of it - warm - while we were
filming and thought I was gonna breathe fire! It will
definitely put some hair on your chest! But done the proper
way it has an enchanting quality about it that's very olde
world.
Liquorice is set for release in autumn
2012. Watch the trailer online now
at www.liquoricethemovie.com.
