The director ofZolaisn’t the only one eager for her movie to finally be out in the world.
“I’m like, ‘Literally don’t have one.
If I want one, I have to ask’ [and] I directed and co-wrote it!”
(L to R) Director Janicza Bravo, actor Riley Keough and actor Taylour Paige on the set of ZOLA, an A24 Films release.Anna Kooris / A24
“I was stressed out,” admits Keough, who plays Zola’s malevolent travel companion.
“It was the first time I was going to try Stefani’s voice.”
Bravo, 40, sees her two leads as distinct yet complementary “classic” film archetypes.
Nicholas Braun, Riley Keough, Taylour Paige, and Colman Domingo in ‘Zola’.Anna Kooris/A24
She’s the heart of the piece."
So much happens in her face, and how she processes what is happening."
Paige took her note that Zola and Stefani’s meet-cute should evoke the steaminess ofBaz Luhrmann’sRomeo + Juliet.
Riley Keough (left) stars as “Stefani” and Taylour Paige (right) stars as “Zola” in director Janicza Bravo’s ZOLA, an A24 Films release.Anna Kooris/A24
“Their introduction was always supposed to feel like the fish-tank scene.
‘I see you, you see me.
Ooh, this is hot, this is sexy, this is fun.’
And that’s where the romance begins.”
Bravo hardly needs dialogue to tell the story, given her galaxy-brain-level of attention to detail.
“Janicza thought of every single thing….
Even our nails: Mine were rounded and Riley’s were sharp.
If she touched you, you could get hurt,” Paige recalls.
“There was a very clear road map as to where the f— we were going.”
Take a simple “piss scene at a gas station,” as Bravo puts it.
They are moving through the world totally and completely, diametrically opposed."
“There are moments where you’re like, ‘Does [Stefani] love this?
Or is she a sociopath, or is she abused?’
“I loved how complex her relationship is to the work she’s doing.”
Zolapremiered at Sundance in 2020 to strong reviews, with A24 already lined up as its distributor.
Unlike most indies from last year, it held out for a wide theatrical release which is finally here.
“Nobody watchesZolaand doesn’t have some kind of strong reaction,” says Keough.
Both women have been eager to see the public’s reaction to the film on the big screen.
“I’m ready, though.
Have at it, everybody.”
