On Saturday, May 27, Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson participated in a Q & A panel for the film “Monica” right after a screening of the film at New Plaza Cinema in Manhattan.
New Plaza Cinema is situated at Macaulay Honors College, and it provided a neat intimate setting for the screening of “Monica” and for the Q & A panel discussion that followed, which was moderated by director and filmmaker Sophie Huber.
“Monica” is the intimate portrait of a woman who returns home to care for her dying mother. A delicate and nuanced story of a fractured family, the story explores universal themes of abandonment, aging, acceptance, and redemption.
It was written by Andrea Pallaoro, who co-wrote the screenplay with Orlando Tirado. The movie earned a favorable review from Digital Journal.
Playing the role of Eugenia
Clarkson shared that her character Eugenia, the dying mother, is one that will “live inside her for many years to come.”
She described it as a “gift” to play this part and to work opposite lead performer Trace Lysette, actor Joshua Close, and director Andrea Pallaoro. She also complimented fellow Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza for playing her nurse.
Most striking was the fact that this movie was shot on film, and she noted that “film is making a comeback again.”
Clarkson stated that the film was very personal to both Pallaoro and Lysette, and it was very important to have a transgender actress such as Trace Lysette lead this film.
An Academy Award nominee, Clarkson revealed that Pallaoro saw many actresses for the role of “Monica,” but once he found Trace, he knew that she was the best fit. “It’s a beautiful story of a mother and daughter finding each other again, and her family. Also, the mother’s love was always there for her,” Clarkson said.
“This is a story about forgiveness, and it is never too late to remember that your child is your child,” she underscored.
Working with Joshua Close
She had great words about actor Joshua Close, who plays her son Paul in the film.
“First of all, Josh couldn’t look any more like my son,” she said. “He fits perfectly in an Andrea Pallaoro film because he is true to himself, he never reaches, he showed up and he had done his homework.”
“Josh is a really fine actor, and has a sense of himself and his emotional content is so powerful, and it rests easy in him. He is also very sexy, but he plays my son, so I had to bury that. Joshua is a star, and I have become very close to him, and he and his wife are a dreamy couple. Josh has become a dear friend in my life, and I see him often,” she elaborated.
“Monica” is a groundbreaking film on so many levels that sheds light on love, forgiveness, and family.
