Cynthia Erivo hopes Prima Facie sparks conversations about sexual violence
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(From left) British director Susanna White, English actress-singer Cynthia Erivo, Australian playwright Suzie Miller and English actor Daniel Ings at the premiere of Prima Facie during the Toronto International Film Festival, on Sept 13.
PHOTO: AFP
TORONTO – English actress Cynthia Erivo hopes Prima Facie, the film adaptation of Australian playwright Suzie Miller’s acclaimed play examining consent, sexual violence and the challenges of pursuing justice through the British legal system, will spark conversations that lead to meaningful change.
“Things can feel like they’re permanent if no one does anything to shift or change them,” Erivo told Reuters ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 13.
“The more we talk about it, the more we see it for what it is, the easier it will become for us to change things.”
Wicked star Erivo plays Tessa, a successful criminal defence barrister whose life is turned upside down after a male colleague sexually assaults her.
Forced to navigate the legal system from the perspective of a survivor, she confronts the barriers victims face in seeking justice and the difficulties of proving rape in court.
Erivo praised English co-star Daniel Ings for taking on a challenging role, saying male actors can help ensure such stories continue to be told.
“When someone like Daniel is brave enough to come forward and say, ‘Yeah, I’m going to play this role, and we’re going to tell this story together,’ it means we have one more chance to tell this story,” she said.
English director Susanna White said adapting the award-winning play for the screen initially felt daunting.
“Of course, it’s intimidating when the play has been so successful... but as soon as I started talking to Suzie, I knew we were partners.”
Miller, who also wrote the screenplay, hopes the film encourages conversations around consent and accountability.
“Our aim is to start conversations,” she said. “And also to enlist men in saying that you also have a role because this is a male problem, and you need to be mentors to young men to explain the nuances of consent and sexuality.”
Ings said the film’s themes were part of what drew him to the project.
“It was super daunting. But if none of the boys is willing to go there, then you cannot tell the story.” REUTERS