Game of Thrones star Tara Fitzgerald ‘driven to direct by lack of roles for older women’

Tha actress made her own film about a love affair between two middle-aged women after becoming frustrated by the lack of interesting roles
“A lot to learn”: Tara Fitzgerald says being a director is challenging
Rashid Razaq30 November 2015
The Weekender

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Game of Thrones star Tara Fitzgerald today told how she decided to make her own film about a love affair between two middle-aged women after becoming frustrated by the lack of interesting roles for older actresses.

The award-winning actress is set to make her feature directorial debut after being selected for this year’s Film London’s Microwave scheme, which has led to critical hits such as Shifty and Lilting, with Ben Whishaw.

She is one of 12 film-makers who will receive training and mentoring before pitching their ideas to a panel, which will choose two to take into production with budgets of £150,000 each.

Fitzgerald told the Standard: “I’ve secretly harboured a desire to direct for a quite a long time. It’s so much more challenging. As an actor you might be involved in a number of levels but as director you’ve got to oversee everything. I’ve still got a lot to learn.”

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Titled Amsterdam, but set in London, the script is by Lisa Jacobs, with whom she collaborated on last year’s well-received short film Prick Thy Neighbour. Fitzgerald, 48, said the feature is a “romantic drama with funny bits” about two former lovers in their fifties who reunite after 30 years apart.

“It’s Lisa’s idea,” she added. “I was drawn to it because older women, my age, just don’t get put into central positions that often. Things change but then they tend to swing back again, whereas commercially women-centred films do just as well as those about men.

“It will be interesting to see how Carol (a lesbian love story starring Cate Blanchett released last week) does.”

Fitzgerald has no plans to give up acting but hoped the film will give a voice to characters she is rarely offered. She also ruled out acting in the movie herself if it succeeds in getting made.

“I really admire people who can do that but there’s no way I will,” she said. “I’ll have my work cut out as it is. And I’m sure we can find someone just as good or better.” She has recently finished filming for the second series of BBC drama In The Club.

Film London’s boss Adrian Wootton said the track record of the Microwave scheme, in its 12th year, meant the benchmark was “very high.” He went on: “I am always amazed by the diversity and talent in London.

“Whether film or TV, there is more content being produced in the UK and London than at any time in the past 25 years.”

“A lot to learn”: Tara Fitzgerald says being a director is challenging

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