The Novice
Director & Script: Lauren Hadaway
Producer: Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker
Cast: Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Dilone, Kate Drummond
USA, 2021, 94 min, English with Hebrew subtitles
Festivals & Awards:
Tribeca Film Festival 2021 – Best Actress and Best Cinematography in U.S. Narrative, Winner of Founders Award
Deauville Film Festival, France 2021
Outfest Los Angeles 2021
“The Novice” is the intense directorial debut of director/screenwriter Lauren Hadaway, based on her personal experiences as a college competitive rower. Hadaway brings a new and daring voice to the way queer stories are told.
Isabelle Fuhrman (“Orphan”) plays Alex Dall, a freshman who joins the rowing team. Alex the perfectionist embarks on an obsessive physical and psychological journey to become the best rower in her school and she’s not giving herself any breaks. She pushes herself beyond the boundaries of reason and annihilates everyone around her in the name of success.
Fuhrman is excellent in the leading role, the physical and mental transformation she goes through during the film is awe inspiring. Singer/actress/model Dilone plays her partner and gives the film some tenderness and humanity. The dynamic directing is backed with excellent camera work, snappy editing and a wonderful soundtrack that combine all together into a dazzling cinematic experience.
Viewing is 18+.