Exclusive: New Zealand director Taika Waititi has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Sam Neill.
But it’s one of the stars of his new film Klara and the Sun, Jenna Ortega, that’s left his teenage daughters impressed.
Taika Waititi has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, but it’s the star of his latest film that’s given the director cred with his daughters. AP Photo/Scott A Garfitt
“I got some dad points for sure, my kids were very excited by that,” he tells nine.com.au at the film’s London premiere.
“They were like, ‘Good move, Dad’.”
The actress – best known to audiences as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday – plays the titular character of Klara in the adaptation of the popular book by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro.
Ortega plays an artificial friend who comes into the lives of one family at a critical time and asks the sun gods to help the daughter in the family, Josie.
Cillian Murphy’s son, Aran Murphy, plays Josie’s love interest and childhood best friend, Rick.
Waititi tells nine.com.au his now teenage daughters were very excited by the casting. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
The actress – best known to audiences as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday – plays the titular character of Klara in the adaptation of the book Klara and the Sun. Sony Pictures Entertainment/Matt Grace
While Aran was starstruck by his director, as a long-time fan of Waititi’s “since I was really little”, he too was blown away by his co-star.
“Jenna is so incredible in every way,” he tells nine.com.au on the red carpet.
“She’s so immensely talented and lovely.”
Josie’s mum, Chrissie, is played by six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams, who says she had a profound understanding of the role.
“I think one of the things that I identified with Chrissie the most was this idea of regret as a mother and constantly questioning your choices,” she says on the red carpet.
Josie’s mum, Chrissie, is played by six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (centre), who says she had a profound understanding of the role. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
“Constantly wanting to do the best for your child, and never knowing exactly what that is, but really hoping for the best and sort of letting go of shame and regret for the choices that may not have worked out.”
‘Dear friends of mine now’
Klara and the Sun was shot Waititi’s native New Zealand, a process he describes as “more like working with family”.
“I love shooting in New Zealand because it’s my home, and you know I’ve worked with these crews for years,” Waititi tells nine.com.au.
“A lot of them are dear friends of mine now, so it feels just more like working with family … just going back home is just so great.”
Klara and the Sun was shot in Taika Waititi’s native New Zealand, a process he describes as “more like working with family”. Sony Pictures Entertainment
Kiwi actress Rachel House, who has known and worked with Waititi for almost 30 years, tells nine.com.au the duo arranged a special start to the shoot.
“We had a traditional pōwhiri, which is just like a Welcome to Country in Australia, our version of it, and that was beautiful,” House reveals.
“Every time we have an international film like this, we feel very proud, and we know our country is phenomenally beautiful. There’s so much to give.”
House, who plays housekeeper Melania, worked very closely with Ortega and Adams during the shoot and said she and Adams bonded over music.
Kiwi actress Rachel House worked very closely with Ortega (right) and Adams (left) during the shoot and said she and Adams bonded over music. Sony Pictures Entertainment/Matt Grace
“Jenna is so disciplined and so professional, she’s really fantastic, and Amy is a dream,” she tells nine.com.au.
“I mean, we sang a lot, Amy and I … just a lot of those sort of torch songs, those very deep songs about love, we sang them a lot. It was nice.”
Klara and the Sun is in cinemas across Australia on October 22.