NEW YORK, NY – Saoirse Ronan was knee-deep in lamb goo on the first day of filming “The Outrun,” a gripping portrayal of addiction that made its debut on Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, adapted from Amy Liptrot’s popular memoir, follows Rona, a recovering alcoholic who returns to the Orkney Islands in Scotland after years of hard living in London. Seeking redemption and a fresh start, she embraces the challenges of working on her father’s sheep farm.
“I delivered seven lambs,” Ronan proudly shared at the Variety Studio presented by Audible. “That was very terrifying. I didn’t know if I was going to kill the lamb as I was pulling them out.”
After the Sundance premiere, Ronan, 29, sat down to discuss how Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” helped her prepare for her demanding role in “The Outrun.” She also revealed a planned cameo in the film “Barbie” that did not materialize.
When asked about her experience watching the film with an audience, Ronan admitted it was terrifying but was relieved that it was well received. She celebrated with a big pizza and a good night’s sleep.
The project came to Ronan’s attention through her partner Jack Lowden, who not only produced the film but also introduced her to Liptrot’s memoir. Lowden, having fallen in love with the Orkney Islands during a visit, believed Ronan was perfect for the role of Rona. Ronan was instantly captivated by Liptrot’s writing and the way she portrayed the struggles of addiction.
Unlike many of Ronan’s previous roles in period films, “The Outrun” is set in the present day. Ronan explained that she didn’t have to worry about historical accuracy or etiquette, giving her a sense of freedom in her portrayal.
Playing a character based on a real person was both intimidating and challenging. Ronan felt a great responsibility to authentically represent the struggles and relationships faced by the real-life individual. Balancing authenticity with storytelling was a difficult task for her.
In terms of accents, Ronan noted the nuances between her Irish accent and the Scottish accent she used in the film. She mentioned that the Scottish accent tends to be flatter and softer, while the Irish accent is more vibrant and muscular.
When it came to portraying drunkenness on screen, Ronan admitted it was a difficult task. She relied on music and physicality to anchor her performance. To prepare for those scenes, she listened to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album, which she found perfect for the purpose.
One aspect of the film that Ronan particularly enjoyed was filming the cathartic dance sequences. She felt a sense of freedom when dancing on camera, even if it meant looking a little ridiculous.
Aside from the personal journey portrayed in the film, “The Outrun” also features interesting nature facts. Ronan shared that humans share 60% of their DNA with jellyfish, and her fascination with seals deepened while working on the film.
The film showcases several hairstyle changes for Ronan’s character. Instead of using wigs, the makeup artist found a clay that could be easily washed out, allowing Ronan to change her hair color.
In a humorous exchange, Ronan compared helping a lamb give birth to jumping out of a moving vehicle, referencing her role in the film “Lady Bird.” She expressed that delivering a lamb was scarier than the intense scene in “Lady Bird.”
While Ronan is open to revisiting her character in “Lady Bird” for a sequel, she emphasized that Greta Gerwig, the film’s director and writer, is the one to decide. She mentioned that they had discussed the possibility of a sequel while filming “Lady Bird.”
Regarding the planned cameo in “Barbie,” Ronan confirmed that she was supposed to play the role of Weird Barbie but didn’t provide details about the scene. Unfortunately, the scene did not make it into the final cut of the film.
In conclusion, Saoirse Ronan’s performance in “The Outrun” offers a refreshing departure from her usual period roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her dedication to authenticity and her ability to immerse herself in her roles shine through, making her a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.