At the heart ofSean Bakers filmAnoraisMikey Madison.
I read Andrea [Werhun]s memoir.
I felt that Ani would be able to relate to her in some way.
Mikey Madison in AnoraNeon
I liked how she spoke about things.
She told stories that really inspired me and, I think, informed some of the improvisation.
Its hard to think of just one thing, because that was everything for bringing the character to life.
Mark Eydelshteyn and Mikey Madison inAnora.Neon / Everett Collection.
If I hadnt have done that, it would be a completely different character and story, I think.
It was the most important thing I did.
MADISON:Shes an amazing person, incredible dancer, just a funny, beautiful, intelligent woman.
She was just very committed to throwing herself into those scenes with me.
We were really just scrapping with each other.
DEADLINE:You mentioned improvisation.
How much was there?
MADISON:While shes working, the first however many minutes of the film, its all improvised.
I think that the relationships and the conversations I had were much more free and honest because of that.
Tell me about shooting that.
But obviously, Ani is not.
And it was interesting to play with that.
DEADLINE:What did you know or love about Seans work before you met him?
MADISON:I had seenTangerinebefore I knew I was going to meet with him, andThe Florida Project.
And as an actress, its really exciting to be a part of that.
DEADLINE: You had to speak some Russian for this role.
So you didnt know any before?
MADISON:No, I knew nothing.
A couple curse words really, but that was it.
Its a very complex language.
Also, Ani needed to speak it in a specific way.
It needed to sound like she was speaking at a certain level.
She wasnt completely fluent, so I needed to keep that in mind.
Because the thing about Ani is shes always on the outside looking in.
She never fits in.
Even if shes trying to speak fluently, I never wanted it to be perfect.
I wanted there to be something that separates her from the others.
And so it was really difficult.
It took months and months.
It was the most important thing at that time that I was doing.
I dedicated my life to it.
DEADLINE:Tell me about connecting with Yura Borisov, who plays Igor.
Theres something so touching about the understanding between you.
MADISON:Yura is an amazing actor, a very deep, intelligent actor.
And there was always something there, I think.
There was definitely a chemistry for us to build off, or a curiosity for each other.
But he was constantly surprising me, he brought such an interesting perspective to his character.
DEADLINE:Both your parents are psychologists.
MADISON:I dont know any different because its just how I was raised, by two psychologists.
And growing up, everyones favorite joke was, Oh, do they psychoanalyze you?
And Im like, Probably, I just dont know that they are.
They have a curiosity for humanity.
They just have this understanding, or a care for people.
DEADLINE:Can you talk about what you have coming next?
MADISON:I dont know what Im going to do next, honestly.
I have nothing planned right now.
My dream is to keep working with Sean.
