AJT: Did you watch any other Vietnam War films as preparation for this role?
NH: We were told not to actually. Kriv wanted us to get a sense of how these boys were really feeling, rather than imitating actors in other war movies. So we got to speak to lots of veterans and guys currently serving in the army and discussed how it really feels to be under fire like that – it was so helpful in terms of us building these characters and their emotions.

AJT: And you got to speak to soldiers who were actually there at the battle too?
NH: Yeah, a couple of the guys we met were the actual boys in the movie, they came to the set and watched some scenes. It was incredible to see how much it affected them to see their story finally being told. The battle was in 1966 – to come back after an event like that and, really there was no recognition for any of the boys, so to finally have their story told like this, they were really touched by it.

AJT: That’s one of the joys of the film industry, shining a light on these lesser-known stories and giving them their place in history.
NH: That’s it, we’re able to tell this story that may have otherwise been forgotten. The producers put about ten years of research into the movie, they really invested in it.

AJT: Did you feel added pressure having met some of those soldiers involved?
NH: There is added pressure but you have to use that and thrive on it. My character, Private Noel Grimes, is still alive, unfortunately I didn’t get to meet him but I did a lot of research in order to really understand him. He was one of the youngest boys under fire that day, part of the story is the relationship between him and Private Paul Large, who was effectively his big brother in battle. The underpinning narrative of the film is how, under those extreme circumstances, relationships such as that can blossom and, in this case, save your life. If you’re nineteen or twenty and going into battle, having that brother-figure is essential. It certainly felt very important. My great grandpa is a veteran and two of my older cousins were in the army, one is still enlisted, so it’s a huge part of my family and to be able to tell a story such as this, for them and for all the veterans across Australia, it’s a huge honour.

It: Chapter Two is set for release in September 2019.

The second of ouf our three interviews with this season’s MAN designers. Tomorrow: Astrid Anderson

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