Cailee Spaeny, one of the stars of ‘Priscilla,’ shared insights about the challenges of filming Sofia Coppola’s movie in a non-linear fashion. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi graced the North American premiere of Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” at the New York Film Festival. Following the screening, they engaged in a Q&A session to delve into the biographical drama.
Spaeny expressed her good fortune in having the opportunity to sit down with Priscilla herself, gaining valuable insights for her portrayal. This personal conversation aided her in understanding the character’s trajectory and the message she wanted to convey over the years of playing Priscilla.
The production faced a demanding 30-day deadline, with producer Youree Henley highlighting initial doubts about completing the film in less than 35 days.
Spaeny humorously pointed out that her hair, makeup, and costumes served as her guide through the storyline. Shooting the film within 30 days and out of sequence led to quirky scenarios, like being pregnant in the morning and transforming into a 14-year-old character after lunch, which Spaeny playfully shared with laughter.
“Priscilla” is a biographical drama adapted from Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, “Elvis and Me,” chronicling her tumultuous relationship with Elvis Presley, from their initial meeting in Bad Nauheim, Germany, in 1959 to their eventual divorce.
Jacob Elordi, who portrayed Elvis, described the challenge of portraying the iconic figure as a human being, aiming to break away from the mythology surrounding him. He emphasized the delicate balance of portraying one of the world’s most famous individuals while staying true to portraying a human being and an honest representation of love.
During the screening, Spaeny delivered a statement on behalf of director-writer Sofia Coppola, who was unable to attend the premiere due to being with her mother Eleanor.
Coppola expressed her gratitude to the audience, the New York Film Festival, and her team for their dedication in completing the film in just 30 days. She dedicated the film to her mother and conveyed her hope that the audience could celebrate their hard work and their shared passion for independent cinema.
“Priscilla” is set to hit theaters on November 3rd.
