Noomi Rapace on her 'Punk Rock' Portrayal of Mother Teresa in 'Mother'

Noomi Rapace's Transformative Role

• 💡 Noomi Rapace, known for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' discusses her role as a young Mother Teresa in the provocative biopic 'Mother.'
• 🎯 The film, directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska, is described as a "punk rock" re-framing, focusing on Teresa's internal struggles and doubts.
• 🧠 Rapace was drawn to the role because, like her character Lisbeth Salander, Mother Teresa possessed a rebellious spirit and fought for something, particularly for women.

Exploring Mother Teresa's Internal Conflict

• ⚠️ The film delves into Mother Teresa's lesser-known periods of doubt, suffering, and spiritual darkness in 1948, just before she left the convent.
• 💬 Rapace found it challenging to understand Teresa's stance on abortion, but explored it from her perspective, recognizing her belief that "every child is a gift from God."
• 🧩 The movie also examines Teresa's complex relationship with Agneska, a nun who becomes pregnant, highlighting Teresa's brutality and eventual apology.

The Experience of Filming

• 🌍 Filming in Kolkata was an intense and brutal experience, exposing Rapace to the stark reality of poverty, which she noted has not significantly changed.
• 👏 She felt a deep connection to the local respect for Mother Teresa and found filming in the school she founded to be a special experience.
• ✨ Rapace describes a scene where she cuts her hair as a symbolic letting go, marking the emotional journey of allowing the character to live through her.

Directing and Female Filmmakers

• 🎬 Rapace recently worked with three female directors, expressing gratitude for the experience and emphasizing the need for more female directors in the industry.
• 🗣️ She believes the term "female director" should become obsolete, similar to how one doesn't typically specify "male director."

The Significance of the Surname 'Rapace'

• 🦅 Rapace explains that her surname, meaning "Bird of Prey" in French, was chosen romantically but became significant for her son, who is the firstborn with that surname.
• 💖 She views the name as representing a new chapter and ownership over her identity.

Lily Allen's 'West End Girl'

• 🎶 Rapace praises Lily Allen's new album for its honesty, bravery, and raw, unpolished urgency, relating to its themes of painful breakups and discoveries.
• 🌟 She believes the album resonates deeply because it tells a relatable story of disillusionment and is an "amazing piece of art."