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, usually concentrating on marginalized people, which fosters a tradition of worry 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. Because the narrative unfolds, it turns into clear that these ladies are destined for a global trafficking ring. Nonetheless, 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, however it’s the performances that actually elevate the movie and spotlight the severity of the conditions depicted. Among the many forged, Sophie Rankin stands out along with her nuanced portrayal of Lucy. Her character serves as a beacon of hope for the opposite captives, continuously discovering a method to get out of the damaging state of affairs. With years of expertise within the trade, Sophie has delivered many robust performances, but this function presents one in every of her most demanding challenges thus far. I not too long ago had the chance to talk with Sophie about her expertise filming ESCAPE, her method to embodying Lucy, and the way she overcame all the percentages 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 speak in regards to the movie. I’d like to understand how 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 via drama college, adopted by a brief course in New York, the place I studied movie and TV performing. Progressively, I began working as an actor in London, showing in just a few movies and TV reveals and ultimately received an agent. Then, in a moderately 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 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 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 thus far.
Aayush Sharma: What was that first second or occasion the place you thought this was it and I need to pursue a profession in performing?
Sophie Rankin: I feel my journey actually started round age 17 once I was in faculty. Tutorial 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 way more enjoyment in drama. That’s once I realized performing was my true ardour and determined to pursue it, regardless that I had little concept of find out how to make it occur on the time. Since then, each job has led to the following, 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 steadily 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 feel Lucy’s character is highly effective in itself—she’s decided and extremely feisty. Her background of surviving an abusive relationship and coming via it provides her a compelling depth. Her capacity to specific vulnerability after every thing she’s been via is empowering; it reveals each ladies and men that, it doesn’t matter what they’ve endured, they will nonetheless be weak and powerful on the similar time. Regardless of recollections which will hang-out her, Lucy has this inside energy that drives her to struggle again, regardless of the obstacles. It’s a message of resilience: it doesn’t matter what you’ve been via, you’ll be able to nonetheless come out the opposite facet, hopefully with newfound energy.
Moreover, I feel the story serves as a reminder for ladies to be cautious. Whereas there are numerous good folks on the planet, there are additionally some who aren’t, so it’s sensible to pay attention to private security. Easy precautions, like letting somebody know your location, may also help maintain you secure. Sadly, whereas we shouldn’t have to fret about these items, it’s sensible to be a bit of 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’ (Photograph Courtesy: The Film Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: How did you method growing Lucy’s character, contemplating the traumatic circumstances she faces? What facets 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 love how she’s keen to say precisely what she thinks. Despite the fact that her dialogue is crammed with 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 via and considered how I’d reply in these conditions.
As people, we have now a deep drive to outlive and push via, it doesn’t matter what, and I consider that intuition is embedded inside us. I pictured how I’d act if I have been pushed to the sting with adrenaline coursing via me, and I attempted to embody that willpower as I portrayed what she was experiencing.
Aayush Sharma: The desert setting performs a big function within the story. What does the desert symbolize for Lucy and the opposite characters, each actually and metaphorically?
Sophie Rankin: I feel it symbolizes the concept there are not any limits, that something is feasible. It doesn’t matter what you’ve endured or what number of miles of adverse terrain you’ve crossed, something could be achieved. It represents the idea of being limitless, particularly for Lucy. Regardless of being warned—there’s a robust 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 have been breathtaking as properly. Filming within the Canary Islands was wonderful, because the panorama there resembles every thing from the Grand Canyon to elements of Europe, creating a shocking 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 function? Have been there particular coaching or stunts concerned?
Sophie Rankin: Actually, I labored out like loopy for this function! 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 doable. 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 by day, together with tons of firming workouts. My eating regimen was extraordinarily wholesome, stuffed with protein, and I drank a great deal of water. Since I even have a background in gymnastics, I knew the function 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 individual 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 moderately 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 function and really changing into that character. It was incredible to carry out my very own stunts in Escape—I cherished 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 pretty! I actually had probably 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 help community for one another on set, serving to one another out every time wanted. Every part 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 all the time the primary to reassure me. She’s such a beautiful 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 just a few different movies now, which has been incredible. It’s really a dream if 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 cherished working along with her.
Howard J. Ford can be an extremely gifted director. I all the time describe him as a uncommon expertise within the trade as a result of he can deal with practically 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 a superb director, and I can’t advocate him extremely sufficient. I additionally not too long ago labored with him on a movie known as Darkish Sport, starring Ed Westwick, the place I play Faye. I’d additionally love to say just a few different forged members. Louis James was incredible to work with—he’s a superb actor and an exquisite particular person. He begins because the villain, however his character has a deep backstory and ultimately needs to assist, including a robust twist to the story. Stephen Murphy has a smaller function, however he was fantastic to work with as properly. Actually, each actor on this mission was wonderful to work with!
Sarah Alexandra Marks as Carla in Escape (Photograph Credit score: The Film Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: In what methods does Lucy exhibit 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 folks by exhibiting that you could obtain something, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you. After all, I do know it’s not all the time that easy, however usually we are likely to get caught up in our heads about issues we need to pursue—whether or not it’s a aim or a brand new class we’re enthusiastic about. Individuals can really feel actually nervous about moving into one thing new, and I feel simply going for it may be such a robust method. 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 simple, however in some instances, it may simply come right down to deciding, ‘I would like this, I’ve a aim—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 likewise reveals that it’s okay to be outspoken, to say what you assume, and to struggle for what you need. You’ll be able to come out the opposite facet of adverse instances stronger and able to make your voice heard.
Fast Hearth Questions –
Aayush Sharma: Your High 3 movies of all time?
Sophie Rankin: Imply Women, Avatar, and Tomb Raider
Aayush Sharma: Three administrators you’d need to work with?
Sophie Rankin: Greta Gerwig, Alfred Hitchcock, and Howard J. Ford (once more).
Aayush Sharma: In case you weren’t an actor or part of the leisure trade, which occupation would you’ve 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 cherished the thought of serving to them. However then I spotted I’m squeamish and afraid of blood, in order that wasn’t the most effective profession possibility for me! I feel my subsequent alternative would have been psychology. In faculty, psychology was one of many few tutorial 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 feel I’ve all the time 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 in all probability need to be a psychologist or counselor for certain.
Aayush Sharma: After taking part in a job 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: 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 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 just a few comedy movies within the Philippines, which I completely loved, and I really feel comedy comes fairly naturally to me. So, for my subsequent function, I’d like to play a lighthearted, carefree character—somebody who doesn’t take herself too severely, is enjoyable, completely happy, 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 battle zone or endured one thing unimaginable.
After I take into consideration what some folks on the planet have gone via, it’s virtually past comprehension. Whereas I’m grateful we don’t must reside via 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 sort of adversity.
‘ESCAPE’ is now obtainable on Digital Obtain within the UK.
