Mackenzie Davis

Toronto Films:  The F Word + We Gotta Get Out of This Place

Interview by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

Are you looking forward to Toronto?

“Last year while the festival was going on, I was shooting a movie in Toronto that is in competition this year. I remember riding the elevator at the Trump hotel with Dustin Hoffman! To be a Canadian coming back for the film festival is the coolest feeling.”

       

   

How does it compare to your native Vancouver?

“Are you expecting me to say something nice like: Toronto is a really fun, vibrant city? I’ll say this — Toronto has the best electronic surplus store in the world. I make broaches for myself out of old transistors.”

So you’re an accessories designer, too?

“No, I just make shit for myself.”

What was your big break?

“Getting cast in Breathe In, which was at Sundance. I had just gotten out of theater school, and after that, everyone was like: I’ll be your agent. I was like: Nice.”

What actresses inspire you?

“Charlotte Rampling and Jessica Lange are about as good as it gets. The first thing that comes to mind is they both have a confrontational sexiness that’s not in the service of anyone else but themselves. They have this presence that makes you feel like you couldn’t hold eye contact with them for long. It would be too powerful.”

What would be your dream role?

“Playing Lula Fortune in [a remake of David Lynch’s] Wild at Heart. It’s the most romantic movie I’ve ever seen. It’s also like every genre of movie I’d want to be in: A Western, a film noir, an epic Southern love story, a road movie. Lula is the sexiest badass woman.”

You have two movies set to premiere in Toronto. How would you describe your characters in one sentence?

“Nicole in The F Word is turned on by life but even more by Adam Driver. Sue from We Gotta Get Out of This Place is an intrepid mystery enthusiast who finds herself at the heart of a bigger adventure than she could have ever imagined.”

What’s the buzz about your movies?

“The former is a romantic comedy about a strong friendship—and knowing when you should sacrifice your friendship for a love affair. The latter is a good old-fashioned Texas heist movie. Think: Blood Simple.”

Will this be a whirlwind trip for you?

“I’m going for less than twelve hours and doing two premieres back-to-back.”

Well, I hope you’ll have time to change clothes in between red carpets.

“Of course I’m going to do a costume change. Are you kidding me?”

Did you ever have a real job?

“I had a brief stint modeling, but I was terrible. It resulted in a lot of pratfalls and disappointed clients and felt more like an extended Candid Camera episode. What bothered me most is that I was always the object in the room that’s never talked to except in the third person, even if somebody was looking in your eyes, adjusting your hair, doing your makeup. The client could complain about you, but you’re not allowed to respond. You’re never a participant in the conversation. I hated that feeling.”

Producer Bailey Reise (@BaileyReise)

Stylist Avo Yermagyan (@AvoYermagyan)

Makeup Kindra Mann (@KMannMakeup) at The Wall Group (@TheWallGroup)

Hair  Ian James (@ianjameshair)  at The Wall Group (@TheWallGroup)

Fashion Credits:

Look 1: Novis dress

Look 2: Parker dress, Elle Jewelry bracelet, Zara shoes

Look 3: Novis dress