Entertainment Spotlight: A Violent Separation with Ben Robson and Claire Holt
Claire Holt, who you may know as Rebekah from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, and Ben Robson of Animal Kingdom and Vikings, are the stars of newly released crime thriller, A Violent Separation. They took the time to answer some questions about the film and what’s coming up next for them.
How would you describe A Violent Separation?
BR: A tragic display of the lengths family will go to, to protect one another.
CH: A film about the lengths people will go to to protect family. Its a gripping drama that leaves you asking yourself what you would do in the same position.
What was the memorable moment on set?
BR: There’s a lot of moments on and off set. From being evacuated out of New Orleans two days after arriving, due to the Hurricane that nearly blew away our hopes of shooting this movie. To nearly suffocating from the summer Louisiana heat in the sweat box that the brothers lived in for three days. The swarms of blood thirsty mosquitoes being swatted away by Garin and his bug zapper racket! Watching Brenton trying to fish. Having to trust Claire Holt’s driving skills. Barbecues and bottles of red. Chasing down the best beignets in New Orleans. Too many to pick a single one really.
CH: The mosquito bites!!
How do you get in the mindset of your character?
BR: I think for Ray it was understanding the care free attitude he has lived his entire life and the refusal of accepting any of his responsibilities in life, and then ultimately having to face them head on as they slowly eat away at him.
CH: She’s vivacious, spirited, and loving. I tried to embody those qualities. It was important for my character to make an impact so I worked to deliver that for the other actors.
Do you pull inspiration from anyone in your performance?
BR: I pulled from people I know and even myself. I think we have all questioned ourselves on certain decisions we have made during our lives, whether it be romantically or in our career or just in our everyday business. We just have to hope that we are making more right decisions than wrong, and when we do make mistakes that we learn from them to help us have a happier future.
Tragically for Ray, it’s an unfortunate incident that makes him realize all the things he’d wished he’d said and done when it was all too late.
CH: I really just tried to put myself in the character’s shoes. I prefer to create a backstory and build the character around that, versus pulling inspiration from people.
What are you hoping people take away from A Violent Separation?
BR: To be very wary of when Claire Holt pulls out a gun in front of you when she’s driving!
CH: I hope it makes people think, I hope they’re entertained and I hope that they don’t fall asleep (like I do in movies right now since I have a 6 week old!
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview?
BR: Interesting questions like that!
CH: What’s your secret talent - I’m really good at the car call whistle
What’s next for you?
BR: Wrapping up season 4 of Animal Kingdom and then hopefully find a project as great as A Violent Separation in the off season.
CH: Mommyhood :)
Thanks, Claire and Ben! A Violent Separation is out now in theaters, on-demand, and on iTunes. Check it out!
