Fantastic Fest: Annette Kellerman Talks With AMERICAN HONEY's Sasha Lane

Rebecca Elliott: Congratulations on an incredible debut performance in AMERICAN HONEY. Is it true that you were discovered by director Andrea Arnold while hanging out at the beach?

Sasha Lane: It’s true.

RE: What’s the story?

SL: It’s so weird. Literally I was on the beach and she just thought I stood out. It was our meeting and it’s like it was all meant to happen. We hung out for like a week right after, and she was like, yeah.

RE: Did you already have a background in acting?

SL: None! And it’s not even…like I refused it. I’m so awkard and uncomfortable- I’m like, “Eh? no.”

RE: That’s surprising because you seem like such a natural.

SL: I’m super into psychology and super into energies of people and all of that. So I think that really helped with it. But, yeah, I had no acting experience.

RE: What about the other kids in the film? Were they cast from auditions or did Arnold find them like she found you?

SL: Pretty much. A lot of it was on the street in passing. Whatever town we were in she picked them up from random places. Some had an audition, but it was street kids, so pretty much whoever could come over.

RE: She got some great performances from the other actors. I was like, wait are these professional actors playing amateur or are these complete newcomers.

SL: They all have their own personalities, and it's beautiful within its own thing. I think that's why...it's like you're so amazing because you're an amazing person in general and it just shows through on the camera.

RE: How was it working with Shia LaBeouf?

SL: It was good. It was cool. It was nice that he...I mean I met him like everyone else. It's such a weird question to say that, picking him out from everyone else. With everyone, it was just an atmosphere we created.

RE: So, it wasn't like he was the big deal, big man on campus? He was just another one of the kids.

SL: Yeah! Just like Riley. We were all down for the same reason. We were all chosen for the same reason.

RE: Did Riley or Shia or any of the more experienced actors have any influence or advice the rest of the cast regarding acting, or did they step back and let everyone do their thing?

SL: They let us do just as we let them do their thing. Everyone has their way of doing things that I think is very much respected between all of us. Do it like you do it, ya know?

RE: Did you have any prep for the more provocative scene? There were some pretty intense sequences.

SL: No. I feel like those are more intimate rather than provocative. It's like even weird to talk about because they were very intimate, closed-off things. So, no. We just kind of went for it.

RE: So you've seen the film and watched your performance?

SL: Yeah. Just once because it's actually very emotional for me. It was really intense.

RE: Did you and the crew really roadtrip, and was it really around the midwest?

SL: Every place we went in the movie we went in real life in that van. From Oklahoma to North Dakota.

RE: I'm originally from Oklahoma, and the Welcome to Muskogee sign looked familiar.

SL: Muskogee! We had one restaurant next to us called The Catfish Diner, and ate fried okra everyday. It was so great.

RE: So you guys went from there all the way to winning the Jury Prize at Cannes. What was that experience like?

SL: It was amazing! I brought my brother, so that was really cool. It's the most...everything looks like a painting it's so beautiful. It's dope, though, because at Cannes everyone is for the movies. They have so much respect for the directors and DPs and all of that. So, it's not just about the actor type thing, so I though that was really cool. There was a lot of love there. It was nice.

RE: So, do you have the bug now? Do you think you'll continue to pursue a career in acting?

SL: If I can keep doing it in a way that feels good to me and feels right and things I'm connected to, then I definitely want to keep at it. It's cool, and it's great to say that something that you're passionate about can be work as well.

RE: You're from Texas originally? So are you familiar with Austin? Are you going to get to hang out some?

SL: Yeah! I actually have more chill days than usual, so I get to hang out with friends...the ones who were on the beach with me that day are coming to see it tonight. And my family too.

RE: What a trip! So it's coming full circle.

SL: Yes! I'm so happy about it. I'm so nervous, but I'm so happy. I know it's going to make me emotional. It's so unreal.

RE: Do you think you'll watch it with them?

SL: I don't know! I might just come in at the end. I mean, this movie rips me everytime, so I'm like, let me chill.

RE: I totally understand. I would probably do the same thing! Well, thank you so much for talking to me today. Congratulations on a terrific performance.

SL: Thanks!

And that ended our interview. Though my review of the film rails against the two and half hour-plus running time, I also rave about Lane's debut performance as well as the notable performances from the rest of the cast. So, while I recommend the film with a warning, I also endorse its fresh characters and gritty-yet-beautiful direction by Andrea Arnold. The film opens in limited release on 9/30 and expands nationwide throughout October.

Rebecca Elliott

aka Annette Kellerman