Fresh off the Cannes world premiere of “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” Hannah Einbinder joined Variety’s Angelique Jackson at the Kering Women in Motion Talks to discuss Jane Schoenbrun’s queer slasher, the final season of “Hacks” and the importance of speaking up for Palestine.
“Camp Miasma” opened the Cannes Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday night to a six-minute standing ovation, which Einbinder called “totally surreal.” In the film, the “Hacks” Emmy winner plays Kris, an indie filmmaker who is called in to revive a cult classic horror franchise with one of its original scream queens, played by Gillian Anderson. As Einbinder and Anderson’s characters begin a relationship, “Camp Miasma” also tackles themes of sexuality, gender and desire.
“I really related to Kris’ difficulty being comfortable in her body,” Einbinder said when asked why she was drawn to the role. “The film largely reckons with a thing that probably most people have experienced in this room, which is shame and discomfort around sex. And definitely in doing this film I had to examine just how true that was for me. And I think it’s something that we do not talk about — that’s why I think this film is so important.”
Of working with Anderson, Einbinder admitted she “has a type” after sharing the screen with Jean Smart in “Hacks.” “Chemistry isn’t built — you have it or you don’t,” she added.
“Our intimacy coordinator was really instrumental in making sure they were in conversation with us around how important it was to make sure that the dynamics felt respectful and everything felt balanced in the right way,” Einbinder said. “There’s such a fine line, not only in the action but in the editing. Like, editing this movie differently could have turned it into something different. The details are so important to nail.”
Though she’s still early on in her career, Einbinder has also become widely known as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken actors when it comes to topics such as AI and Palestine. She memorably ended her Emmys acceptance speech last September by declaring: “Fuck ICE, free Palestine and go Birds!” In a recent podcast interview, Einbinder called out Hollywood’s general silence when it comes to supporting Gaza and noted how “people in Hollywood, unfortunately, need these issues to affect a white person for them to see it as relating to them.”
Speaking on the topic of Palestine at the Kering Women in Motion talk, Einbinder said: “I follow in the steps of Palestinians who have set the bar, who have always had to be their own advocates. I am really pleased to join a tradition of Palestinians and Jewish allies who are committed to being vocal in a time where a lot of people shy away from that. I follow their lead.”
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When asked about fears of being blacklisted like Susan Sarandon and Melissa Barrera, who have both said they lost work due to speaking out, Einbinder said it doesn’t deter her.
“I think what they know is what I know, which is that the cost of not speaking is higher, you know?” she said. “There is a greater toll in not speaking and you just gotta have your priorities straight. I am under no impression that my one small career could ever measure up in comparison to even one human life. So, you know, it’s an obligation and I will always do it.”
In an interview with Variety last week, Barrera mentioned that she’d like to work Einbinder and other pro-Palestine celebrities including Sarandon and Javier Bardem. Is Einbinder game?
“Yes! I would love to work with [Barrera] and Susan and, you know, everyone … Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem. All of them,” she said. “I’m with Melissa, like let’s all do something together.”
She then quipped: “Road trip movie! Just kidding. This crazy gaggle of people are all in a car! This summer!”
Reflecting on the final season of “Hacks,” which is currently airing, Einbinder said she’s been grieving letting go of her character, Ava. Asked to describe the series finale in one word, she offered: “Pain.”
“I’ve been wearing all of her clothes like a deceased relative,” Einbinder said of Ava. “I love [her].”
“Camp Miasma” will open in theatres Aug. 7 from Mubi.
From Variety US