EGN NEWS DESK
Human trafficking is profoundly harmful for society because it perpetuates a cycle of violence, exploitation, and inequality. It preys on essentially the most susceptible populations, typically focusing on marginalized people, which fosters a tradition of concern and helplessness. Howard J Ford’s gripping thriller ESCAPE joins the ranks of movies tackling the harrowing problem of human trafficking. Starring Sarah Alexandra Marks and Sophie Rankin in key roles, the movie follows the harrowing story of ten younger ladies who’re kidnapped from an island resort by a ruthless gang. As the narrative unfolds, it turns into clear that these ladies are destined for a world trafficking ring. However, their spirit stays unbroken; they refuse to simply accept their destiny. Determined to regain their freedom, they devise a intelligent plan to outsmart their captors and take again management of their lives.
The movie captivates audiences primarily with its gripping storyline, however it’s the performances that really elevate the movie and spotlight the severity of the conditions depicted. Among the solid, Sophie Rankin stands out together with her nuanced portrayal of Lucy. Her character serves as a beacon of hope for the opposite captives, always discovering a strategy to get out of the damaging state of affairs. With years of expertise within the trade, Sophie has delivered many sturdy performances, but this position presents considered one of her most demanding challenges to this point. I lately had the chance to talk with Sophie about her expertise filming ESCAPE, her strategy to embodying Lucy, and the way she overcame all the chances to do her stunts in a terrain that was so harsh to shoot in. She additionally shared her opinion about her character’s resilience and the way it can encourage others.
Sophie Rankin as Lucy in a nonetheless from ‘Escape’ (Photo Courtesy: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: Congratulations on the film ‘Escape’ however earlier than we discuss in regards to the movie. I’d like to know the way your journey has been in Hollywood and the leisure trade.
Sophie Rankin: My journey started round 14 years in the past. I initially took the usual route by means of drama faculty, adopted by a brief course in New York, the place I studied movie and TV performing. Gradually, I began working as an actor in London, showing in a number of movies and TV reveals and ultimately obtained an agent. Then, in a somewhat sudden flip, I emigrated to the Philippines and lived there for 5 years. During that point, I labored on quite a few movies and TV reveals, with my movies making it to the cinema, which helped put me extra on the map and led to extra TV work within the area. I returned to the UK about three years in the past, and since then, I’ve accomplished 12 function movies back-to-back, which has been extremely thrilling. I’d say the final three years have been essentially the most important for my profession to this point.
Aayush Sharma: What was that first second or occasion the place you thought this was it and I wish to pursue a profession in performing?
Sophie Rankin: I believe my journey actually started round age 17 after I was in school. Academic topics by no means fairly held my consideration the best way dance, drama, and P.E. did. With a background in gymnastics, I used to be already used to performing, so though I did effectively academically, I discovered far more enjoyment in drama. That’s after I realized performing was my true ardour and determined to pursue it, despite the fact that I had little concept of how you can make it occur on the time. Since then, each job has led to the subsequent, and my coaching has been an enormous assist alongside the best way. I even have a background in modeling, which I nonetheless do, and all these experiences have regularly come collectively to assist form my performing profession. It’s positively been a gradual course of.
Aayush Sharma: The movie offers with themes of empowerment and resilience. How do you suppose Lucy embodies these themes, and what do you hope audiences take away from her journey?
Sophie Rankin: I believe Lucy’s character is highly effective in itself—she’s decided and extremely feisty. Her background of surviving an abusive relationship and coming by means of it offers her a compelling depth. Her means to precise vulnerability after all the pieces she’s been by means of is empowering; it reveals each men and women that, it doesn’t matter what they’ve endured, they will nonetheless be susceptible and robust on the identical time. Despite recollections which will hang-out her, Lucy has this inside energy that drives her to struggle again, irrespective of the obstacles. It’s a message of resilience: it doesn’t matter what you’ve been by means of, you may nonetheless come out the opposite aspect, hopefully with newfound energy.
Additionally, I believe the story serves as a reminder for girls to be cautious. While there are lots of good folks on the planet, there are additionally some who aren’t, so it’s sensible to pay attention to private security. Simple precautions, like letting somebody know your location, might help hold you protected. Unfortunately, whereas we shouldn’t have to fret about these items, it’s real looking to be a bit cautious. The story encourages this consciousness—little reminders, like not getting right into a automotive with somebody you’ve simply met, even when the primary date went completely. Small messages like these are vital and value conveying.
Sophie Rankin as Lucy in a nonetheless from ‘Escape’ (Photo Courtesy: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: How did you strategy creating Lucy’s character, contemplating the traumatic circumstances she faces? What features of her persona did you discover most compelling?
Sophie Rankin: I discovered her willpower to be essentially the most compelling side of her character. I additionally love how outspoken and direct she is—she doesn’t sugarcoat her emotions or intentions. She lives off her feelings, and I love how she’s prepared to say precisely what she thinks. Even although her dialogue is crammed with daring language (most likely 90% of it!), her forwardness and outspokenness are qualities I actually love. To get into her persona, I imagined myself really experiencing all the pieces she was going by means of and considered how I’d reply in these conditions.
As people, we’ve a deep drive to outlive and push by means of, it doesn’t matter what, and I consider that intuition is embedded inside us. I pictured how I would act if I have been pushed to the sting with adrenaline coursing by means of me, and I attempted to embody that willpower as I portrayed what she was experiencing.
Aayush Sharma: The desert setting performs a big position within the story. What does the desert symbolize for Lucy and the opposite characters, each actually and metaphorically?
Sophie Rankin: I believe it symbolizes the concept there are not any limits, that something is feasible. No matter what you’ve endured or what number of miles of adverse terrain you’ve crossed, something might be achieved. It represents the idea of being limitless, particularly for Lucy. Despite being warned—there’s a robust line from Scott Hillier’s character that goes, “You’ll be hunted down like a pack of untamed canine”—she’s unwavering in her willpower to flee. I discover that extremely highly effective. The filming places have been breathtaking as effectively. Filming within the Canary Islands was wonderful, because the panorama there resembles all the pieces from the Grand Canyon to components of Europe, creating a surprising cinematic backdrop. We additionally filmed in Spain and in an unimaginable underground fort within the UK. Altogether, the places added a lot magnificence and grandeur to the visible expertise. It’s really lovely to observe.
Aayush Sharma: Given the movie’s setting within the desert and the bodily challenges Lucy faces, how did you put together bodily for this position? Were there particular coaching or stunts concerned?
Sophie Rankin: Honestly, I labored out like loopy for this position! I want I may say that wanting like that comes naturally to me, however that might be a lie. Knowing my outfits within the movie could be minimal, I wished to really feel as assured and look pretty much as good as attainable. So, for months earlier than filming, I dedicated to a rigorous exercise routine: I used to be doing about an hour and a half of cardio day-after-day, together with tons of firming workout routines. My weight loss plan was extraordinarily wholesome, filled with protein, and I drank a great deal of water. Since I even have a background in gymnastics, I knew the position would require some bodily calls for, so I included stretches to keep up my flexibility, which was particularly useful for stage fight and martial arts scenes I did. In brief, I labored out like loopy!
Aayush Sharma: You’re identified for performing your personal stunts, which is spectacular! Does that offer you an adrenaline rush that motivates you to carry out higher? Have you at all times been somebody who prefers to tackle these challenges your self somewhat than counting on others for help?
Sophie Rankin: Absolutely! I like doing my very own stunts as a result of it permits me to showcase all these years of gymnastics coaching and stage fight. If I’m given the chance, I take pleasure in totally immersing myself within the position and really changing into that character. It was implausible to carry out my very own stunts in Escape—I liked each second of it! We did have a stunt coordinator to assist choreograph the scenes, however we didn’t use stunt doubles, so we actually have been thrown round and thrown off the bottom. I appreciated each side of that have.
Aayush Sharma: What was your expertise working with director Howard J. Fox and your co-star Sarah Alexandra Marks?
Sophie Rankin: Oh, that’s so beautiful! I really had essentially the most wonderful time working with Sarah. She’s extremely gifted and one of many kindest folks I’ve ever met. We actually turned a assist community for one another on set, serving to one another out each time wanted. Everything she’s mentioned about me, I’d say proper again at her. If I ever felt a bit insecure—like questioning if a line sounded okay—she was at all times the primary to reassure me. She’s such a stunning individual, and we shaped a extremely particular friendship that we nonetheless share immediately. We’re each very supportive of one another’s careers and have even labored collectively on a number of different movies now, which has been implausible. It’s really a dream while you arrive on set and instantly join with the opposite actors, particularly with Sarah, as we have been like companions in crime, doing so many scenes collectively. I completely liked working together with her.
Howard J. Ford can also be an extremely gifted director. I at all times describe him as a uncommon expertise within the trade as a result of he can deal with almost each side of filmmaking—from lighting and writing to manufacturing and directing. He works shortly and thinks on his ft, which I completely love. We labored effectively collectively as a crew, and he allowed me a whole lot of inventive freedom. He was at all times open to my opinions and concepts and was very supportive of my work. He’s really a superb director, and I can’t advocate him extremely sufficient. I additionally lately labored with him on a movie referred to as Dark Game, starring Ed Westwick, the place I play Faye. I’d additionally love to say a number of different solid members. Louis James was implausible to work with—he’s a superb actor and an exquisite individual. He begins because the villain, however his character has a deep backstory and ultimately desires to assist, including a robust twist to the story. Stephen Murphy has a smaller position, however he was great to work with as effectively. Honestly, each actor on this undertaking was wonderful to work with!
Sarah Alexandra Marks as Carla in Escape (Photo Credit: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: In what methods does Lucy reveal resilience within the face of adversity? How do you suppose this resilience can encourage viewers in their very own lives?
Sophie Rankin: I hope my character can encourage folks by exhibiting which you can obtain something, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you. Of course, I do know it’s not at all times that easy, however typically we are likely to get caught up in our heads about issues we wish to pursue—whether or not it’s a purpose or a brand new class we’re keen on. People can really feel actually nervous about moving into one thing new, and I believe simply going for it may be such a robust strategy. It’s about not letting previous experiences and even present struggles maintain you again.
And sure, psychological well being can complicate issues, and it’s not at all times straightforward, however in some instances, it might probably simply come all the way down to deciding, ‘I need this, I’ve a purpose—let’s do it now and never procrastinate.’ Life is unpredictable, so if there’s one thing you need and you’ve got the possibility to go for it, do it now. I hope my character encourages others to take that leap and in addition reveals that it’s okay to be outspoken, to say what you suppose, and to struggle for what you need. You can come out the opposite aspect of adverse occasions stronger and able to make your voice heard.
Rapid Fire Questions –
Aayush Sharma: Your Top 3 movies of all time?
Sophie Rankin: Mean Girls, Avatar, and Tomb Raider
Aayush Sharma: Three administrators you’d wish to work with?
Sophie Rankin: Greta Gerwig, Alfred Hitchcock, and Howard J. Ford (once more).
Aayush Sharma: If you weren’t an actor or part of the leisure trade, which career would you could have chosen?
Sophie Rankin: Before I selected a inventive path, I truly wished to be a vet as a result of I like animals and liked the concept of serving to them. But then I noticed I’m squeamish and afraid of blood, in order that wasn’t the most effective profession choice for me! I believe my subsequent alternative would have been psychology. In school, psychology was one of many few educational topics that basically fascinated me, and my mother is a counselor, so possibly that curiosity runs within the household. I discover human habits completely fascinating, and I believe I’ve at all times been perceptive and pretty good at studying folks, which actually helps me get into character as an actor. Plus, spreading consciousness about psychological well being is so vital to me. So, if I weren’t performing, I’d most likely wish to be a psychologist or counselor for certain.
Aayush Sharma: After taking part in a task as intense as Lucy, how do you see this expertise influencing your future selections in performing? Are there explicit themes or characters you’re drawn to exploring subsequent?
Sophie Rankin: Playing Lucy has been such a rewarding expertise, and it’s positively impressed me to pursue related roles. I’d like to play extra characters that empower ladies—ones who struggle again, present energy, and have that very same willpower. I additionally actually take pleasure in roles that enable me to carry out motion scenes and struggle strikes. That mentioned, I additionally love comedy! I did a number of comedy movies within the Philippines, which I completely loved, and I really feel comedy comes fairly naturally to me. So, for my subsequent position, I’d like to play a lighthearted, carefree character—somebody who doesn’t take herself too severely, is enjoyable, pleased, and simply lives life to the fullest. Additionally, I’d love the chance to painting somebody based mostly on a real story, possibly a personality who has escaped a battle zone or endured one thing unimaginable.
When I take into consideration what some folks on the planet have gone by means of, it’s virtually past comprehension. While I’m grateful we don’t need to stay by means of these experiences, I consider portraying such a personality could be extremely highly effective. It could be a privilege to get into the thoughts and feelings of somebody who’s overcome that type of adversity.
‘ESCAPE’ is now obtainable on Digital Download within the UK.
