Human trafficking is profoundly harmful for society because it perpetuates a cycle of violence, exploitation, and inequality. It preys on probably the most weak 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 challenge of human trafficking. Starring Sarah Alexandra Marks and Sophie Rankin in key roles, the movie follows the harrowing story of ten younger girls who’re kidnapped from an island resort by a ruthless gang. Because the narrative unfolds, it turns into clear that these girls are destined for a global trafficking ring. Nevertheless, their spirit stays unbroken; they refuse to simply accept their destiny. Decided 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, nevertheless it’s the performances that really elevate the movie and spotlight the severity of the conditions depicted. Among the many forged, Sophie Rankin stands out together with her nuanced portrayal of Lucy. Her character serves as a beacon of hope for the opposite captives, continually discovering a solution to get out of the damaging state of affairs. With years of expertise within the business, Sophie has delivered many robust performances, but this position presents one in every of her most demanding challenges up to now. I just 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’ (Photograph Courtesy: The Film Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: Congratulations on the film ‘Escape’ however earlier than we discuss concerning the movie. I’d like to understand how your journey has been in Hollywood and the leisure business.
Sophie Rankin: My journey started round 14 years in the past. I initially took the usual route by way of drama college, adopted by a brief course in New York, the place I studied movie and TV performing. Steadily, I began working as an actor in London, showing in a number of movies and TV exhibits and finally acquired an agent. Then, in a quite surprising flip, I emigrated to the Philippines and lived there for 5 years. Throughout that point, I labored on quite a few movies and TV exhibits, 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 characteristic movies back-to-back, which has been extremely thrilling. I’d say the final three years have been probably the most vital for my profession to date.
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 once I was in faculty. Educational topics by no means fairly held my consideration the way in which dance, drama, and P.E. did. With a background in gymnastics, I used to be already used to performing, so though I did properly academically, I discovered far more enjoyment in drama. That’s once I realized performing was my true ardour and determined to pursue it, although I had little concept of the best way to 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 way in which. I even have a background in modeling, which I nonetheless do, and all these experiences have progressively come collectively to assist form my performing profession. It’s undoubtedly been a gradual course of.
Aayush Sharma: The movie offers with themes of empowerment and resilience. How do you assume 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 way of it provides her a compelling depth. Her capacity to precise vulnerability after every thing she’s been by way of is empowering; it exhibits each ladies and men that, it doesn’t matter what they’ve endured, they’ll nonetheless be weak and robust on the similar time. Regardless of reminiscences that will hang-out her, Lucy has this inside energy that drives her to battle again, regardless of the obstacles. It’s a message of resilience: it doesn’t matter what you’ve been by way of, you possibly can nonetheless come out the opposite aspect, hopefully with newfound energy.
Moreover, I believe the story serves as a reminder for ladies to be cautious. Whereas there are lots of good individuals on this planet, there are additionally some who aren’t, so it’s sensible to concentrate on private security. Easy precautions, like letting somebody know your location, may help maintain you protected. Sadly, whereas we shouldn’t have to fret about these items, it’s real looking to be a little 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 essential and value conveying.
Sophie Rankin as Lucy in a nonetheless from ‘Escape’ (Photograph Courtesy: The Film Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: How did you strategy growing Lucy’s character, contemplating the traumatic circumstances she faces? What elements of her persona did you discover most compelling?
Sophie Rankin: I discovered her willpower to be probably 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 like how she’s keen to say precisely what she thinks. Though her dialogue is full of daring language (in all probability 90% of it!), her forwardness and outspokenness are qualities I actually love. To get into her persona, I imagined myself really experiencing every thing she was going by way of and thought of how I’d reply in these conditions.
As people, now we have a deep drive to outlive and push by way of, it doesn’t matter what, and I imagine that intuition is embedded inside us. I pictured how I’d act if I had been pushed to the sting with adrenaline coursing by way 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 aren’t any limits, that something is feasible. It doesn’t matter what you’ve endured or what number of miles of inauspicious terrain you’ve crossed, something might be achieved. It represents the idea of being limitless, particularly for Lucy. Regardless of being warned—there’s a strong line from Scott Hillier’s character that goes, “You’ll be hunted down like a pack of untamed canines”—she’s unwavering in her willpower to flee. I discover that extremely highly effective. The filming places had been breathtaking as properly. Filming within the Canary Islands was superb, because the panorama there resembles every thing from the Grand Canyon to elements of Europe, creating a surprising cinematic backdrop. We additionally filmed in Spain and in an unbelievable underground fort within the UK. Altogether, the places added a lot magnificence and grandeur to the visible expertise. It’s really stunning 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? Have been there particular coaching or stunts concerned?
Sophie Rankin: Actually, I labored out like loopy for this position! I want I might say that wanting like that comes naturally to me, however that will be a lie. Realizing 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 workouts. My food regimen 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 integrated stretches to take care of my flexibility, which was particularly useful for stage fight and martial arts scenes I did. Briefly, I labored out like loopy!
Aayush Sharma: You’re recognized for performing your personal stunts, which is spectacular! Does that offer you an adrenaline rush that motivates you to carry out higher? Have you ever all the time been somebody who prefers to tackle these challenges your self quite than counting on others for help?
Sophie Rankin: Completely! I really 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 beloved 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 had 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 pretty! I really had probably the most superb time working with Sarah. She’s extremely gifted and one of many kindest individuals I’ve ever met. We actually turned a assist community for one another on set, serving to one another out every time wanted. Every little thing she’s stated 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 all the time the primary to reassure me. She’s such a stunning particular person, and we fashioned a very particular friendship that we nonetheless share in the present day. 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 had been like companions in crime, doing so many scenes collectively. I completely beloved working together with her.
Howard J. Ford can be an extremely gifted director. I all the time describe him as a uncommon expertise within the business 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 properly collectively as a crew, and he allowed me lots of inventive freedom. He was all the time open to my opinions and concepts and was very supportive of my work. He’s really an excellent director, and I can’t suggest him extremely sufficient. I additionally just lately labored with him on a movie known as Darkish Recreation, starring Ed Westwick, the place I play Faye. I’d additionally love to say a number of different forged members. Louis James was implausible to work with—he’s an excellent actor and a beautiful particular person. He begins because the villain, however his character has a deep backstory and finally needs to assist, including a strong twist to the story. Stephen Murphy has a smaller position, however he was great to work with as properly. Actually, each actor on this venture was superb to work with!
Sarah Alexandra Marks as Carla in Escape (Photograph Credit score: The Film Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: In what methods does Lucy display resilience within the face of adversity? How do you assume this resilience can encourage viewers in their very own lives?
Sophie Rankin: I hope my character can encourage individuals by exhibiting you can obtain something, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you. After all, I do know it’s not all the time that straightforward, however typically we are inclined to get caught up in our heads about issues we wish to pursue—whether or not it’s a objective or a brand new class we’re fascinated about. Folks can really feel actually nervous about getting into one thing new, and I believe simply going for it may be such a strong 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 all the time straightforward, however in some circumstances, it will probably simply come all the way down to deciding, ‘I would like this, I’ve a objective—let’s do it now and never procrastinate.’ Life is unpredictable, so if there’s one thing you need and you’ve got the prospect to go for it, do it now. I hope my character encourages others to take that leap and likewise exhibits that it’s okay to be outspoken, to say what you assume, and to battle for what you need. You’ll be able to come out the opposite aspect of inauspicious occasions stronger and able to make your voice heard.
Fast Hearth Questions –
Aayush Sharma: Your Prime 3 movies of all time?
Sophie Rankin: Imply Ladies, Avatar, and Tomb Raider
Aayush Sharma: Three administrators you’ll wish to work with?
Sophie Rankin: Greta Gerwig, Alfred Hitchcock, and Howard J. Ford (once more).
Aayush Sharma: When you weren’t an actor or part of the leisure business, which career would you could have chosen?
Sophie Rankin: Earlier than I selected a inventive path, I truly wished to be a vet as a result of I really like animals and beloved the concept of serving to them. However then I noticed I’m squeamish and afraid of blood, in order that wasn’t one of the best profession choice for me! I believe my subsequent selection would have been psychology. In faculty, psychology was one of many few educational topics that actually fascinated me, and my mother is a counselor, so possibly that curiosity runs within the household. I discover human conduct completely fascinating, and I believe I’ve all the time been perceptive and pretty good at studying individuals, which actually helps me get into character as an actor. Plus, spreading consciousness about psychological well being is so essential to me. So, if I weren’t performing, I’d in all probability wish to be a psychologist or counselor for positive.
Aayush Sharma: After taking part in a job as intense as Lucy, how do you see this expertise influencing your future decisions in performing? Are there explicit themes or characters you’re drawn to exploring subsequent?
Sophie Rankin: Taking part in Lucy has been such a rewarding expertise, and it’s undoubtedly impressed me to pursue comparable roles. I’d like to play extra characters that empower girls—ones who battle 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 battle strikes. That stated, 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 significantly, is enjoyable, blissful, and simply lives life to the fullest. Moreover, I’d love the chance to painting somebody primarily based on a real story, possibly a personality who has escaped a conflict zone or endured one thing unimaginable.
Once I take into consideration what some individuals on this planet have gone by way of, it’s virtually past comprehension. Whereas I’m grateful we don’t must reside by way of these experiences, I imagine portraying such a personality could be extremely highly effective. It might be a privilege to get into the thoughts and feelings of somebody who’s overcome that type of adversity.
‘ESCAPE’ is now accessible on Digital Obtain within the UK.
