Eve Hewson (‘Flora and Son’): ‘I was terrified’ to sing on camera, but ‘I just went for it’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

Rob Licuria
·3 min read
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“I was terrified. This was the last thing I’ve ever wanted to do in my life! Honestly, I would rather swim with sharks,” admits “Flora and Son” star Eve Hewson about singing live on-screen. “But the part was so good. Working with John was so good. I had to do it, I just had to get over it. And, I just went for it and I’m really glad I did, because I didn’t have that much to worry about!.” Watch our exclusive video interview above.

SEE John Carney interview: ‘Flora and Son’ writer/director

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In the Apple Original Film, the “Bad Sisters” star plays a single mom who is at war with her rebellious teenage son Max (Orén Kinlan). Trying to find a hobby for Max, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster and finds that one person’s trash can be a family’s salvation. The feel-good dramedy co-stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jeff, an amateur musician who teaches Eve to play the guitar online.

It’s writer/director John Carney‘s (“Once,” “Sing Street”) latest love letter to music, boasting an array of catchy tunes and new original songs, primarily written by Carney and songwriter Gary Clark. Hewson contributed to three tracks, including “The High Life,” which features during the film’s emotional finale.

SEEGary Clark interview: ‘Flora and Son’ composer and songwriter

The film opens with Flora a bit lost and unfulfilled; disconnected from her son and stumbling through life. After taking up guitar lessons with Jeff, she begins to open up her mind, developing a new appreciation for music. A pivotal scene early on sees Flora watch a video on her laptop of Joni Mitchell performing her classic song “Both Sides Now.” It’s the moment in the film where Eve finally lets her guard down as the timeless song brings tears to her eyes.

“I was really nervous about that moment because in the script, it’s so effective and sometimes that’s really taunting as an actor, because you want to give that to the audience and it’s completely on you,” she reveals. “I asked John, I said, ‘I need to do this in the morning. Can we put the scene in the morning so I can come in kind of in the right headspace? You know, putting it at the end of the day, I’m going to anticipate it, I’m going to be tired. Let’s do it in the morning.’ And he was like, ‘okay, it’s whatever you want to give. There’s no pressure. It’s this moment. Just be with the character.’ And that was one take we did. That was it. We had it, and he was like, ‘I love it! That’s what we want,’ and we were done within 10 minutes. It was one take wonder!”

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