Odessa Young’s journey through ‘My First Film’ and beyond
A unique cinematic experience
Odessa Young immediately felt a connection to “My First Film”, a project by director Zia Anger that recounts her struggles with her debut feature, “Always All Ways, Anne Marie”. The film, which failed to gain acceptance at any film festivals, is a raw and personal narrative that resonated deeply with Young.
In “My First Film”, Young portrays Vita, a fictionalized version of Anger. The story follows Vita as she navigates the challenges of creating an independent film in her hometown while dealing with a demanding boyfriend who pressures her into parenthood.
The inception of a collaboration
Young’s introduction to “My First Film” came through Anger’s performance art tour of the story. ”I received an email from [producer] Taylor Shung with a script and a heartfelt letter from Zia,” Young recalls. “I was already intrigued because I had heard whispers about the project and their interest in me, so I was thrilled.”
A week or two later, Young and Anger met for dinner. “I was ready to do anything with her at that point,” Young says. “She could have proposed a live-action version of the Teletubbies, and I would have been on board.”
The chaos of dual realities
Filming “My First Film” presented unique challenges, as the production involved both a real crew and actors portraying a crew. “We had two versions of ‘action’ and ‘cut’ so the real crew would know when to actually roll and cut,” Young explains. “It got confusing after a while. On any film set, you start to get a little crazy. You close your eyes and see cameras, hear people talking into their walkies as you fall asleep. With this project, it was even more intense. There was also a crew shooting behind-the-scenes footage about the making of a film that is about the making of a film. It was a free-for-all with cameras everywhere.”
Upcoming projects: From indie to mainstream
Young’s next ventures are a departure from the indie scene. She stars alongside Jacob Elordi in the upcoming Prime Video series “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”, which tells the story of an Australian doctor taken as a prisoner of war during WWII while building the Burma Railway.
Young shares that her teenage sisters, usually indifferent to her work, were excited to meet Elordi. “They played it very cool, but they were thrilled,” she says. “Elordi was perfect with them—casual but interested, asking questions without overwhelming them. He let them enjoy their day on set.”
In November, Young will begin filming “Deliver Me From Nowhere”, a Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White as the iconic rocker. Young confirms she will play a love interest of Springsteen.
A lifelong Springsteen fan
“What you have to understand is I’m probably the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan that I know, maybe second only to my dad,” Young says. “I grew up in a Springsteen house. I spent both my 15th and 16th birthdays at Springsteen concerts. My dad hosts an annual Springsteen tribute for charity, where he and his musician friends perform covers. When I heard about the film, I called my agent and said, ‘I don’t care if I’m just in the background for one scene. I have to be in this movie.’ A few months later, I got the chance to audition.”
Since being offered the role by director Scott Cooper, Young admits to “weeping multiple times a day.” She has yet to meet Springsteen but anticipates the encounter will be life-changing. “I really think that it will send me down a path for which there is no return,” she says. “I cannot come back from that experience as the same person.”
Discover more
For those interested in exploring “My First Film”, it is available on Mubi. You can also check out the trailers and information pages for “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” and “Deliver Me From Nowhere” through the following links:
Odessa Young’s journey through these diverse projects showcases her versatility and passion for storytelling, making her a compelling figure in the world of cinema.