Sophie Dalah in conversation with Beatrice Panero and photographed by Ben Cope
Photography: Ben Cope / ben_cope
Styling: Adena Rohatiner / adenarohatiner
Hair: Hair by Frankie Payne at Opus Beauty using Oribe / frankiepaynehair
Makeup: Makeup by Myxii White at Opus Beauty using NARS / mynxiiwhite
Words: Beatrice Panero / pane.nero
Young and talented, from Australia to LA, Sophie Dalah / sophiedalah made her dreams come true, thanks to her discipline and resilience. She started acting with Unbroken, a springboard for her career, that brought her to act in Satanic (2016) and Dead Night (2017). Her latest lead role was in the indie feature film Night Drive, recently premiered at Fantastic Fest and Byron Bay Film Festival. The passionate Sophie shared with us her aspirations and, of course, her favorite movies, which we bet she watches while eating her favorite “chippies”… And if you’re wondering how Sophie spends her time off the set, here is an unexpected upcoming project that will surprise you. Let’s discover what’s next for Sophie!
You started your career with Unbroken. Tell us, what was it like to work with Angelina Jolie?
It felt completely surreal. It has truly been a life changing experience that made me chase after my dreams.
You played in dramatic, thriller, horror movies... in which kind of film do you prefer to act?
It's really hard to say, as there are many elements that I love for each genre. I love horror because when you're on set, the energy in my experience has always been super collaborative. When you work with supernatural storylines, there is no definitive way of doing anything specific, things are open to interpretation. Working into the wee hours of the morning in the ‘lonely isolated cabin in the woods”, it becomes an immersive experience with the team you've been working with. It's easy to lose yourself in these situations, but in a good way, that works for horror.
I also love drama and playing with tension in scenes. It's hard to define because the last thriller I did, it could also be considered a completely absurd comedy. I really enjoyed finding the humour in the completely bleak and dire situations. I love it all really.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Staying resilient. Learning how to stay confident and continuing to work on my craft while going through periods when it feels like no one is paying attention to me!
Talking about your latest film Night Drive, how was to play the role of Charlotte?
Charlotte is an extremely interesting individual. When I read the script, I thought long and hard about how she presents herself to the world. Charlotte goes after what she wants. She’s honestly a boss and I have a lot of respect for her. I really enjoyed the challenge of justifying her sometimes questionable actions and had so much fun getting to work with AJ Bowen.
What kind of things do you draw on within yourself to bring across a character and make it realistic?
First and foremost, it’s understanding what your character wants above all else. It sounds cliche but it’s as simple as going after what you want and how the character you're playing does the same. How do you go about getting what you want?
We all have our ways and tactics as humans in our everyday life. It's about applying these same rules to whoever’s shoes you're trying to fill.
What would be your dream role?
Getting to be a part of a story that really inspires me. Or anything that’s set in a different period.
Who do you dream of working with in the future?
I absolutely aspire to work with Aaron Sorkin, The Newsroom is one of my favourite shows of all time!
I recently saw a movie called ‘Blow the Man Down’. Both of the directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy are so sick! I would love to get to work with them. Michel Gondry is a director I want to work with. I loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind!! Alejandro González Iñárritu is another director I admire and would be honored to work with. Some actresses that I dream of working with are actresses like Rose Byrne, and Cate Blanchett. I LOVED Miss America.
Did your future perspectives change with the pandemic? If so, in what aspect?
I’ve always been obsessed with cooking, but in the last couple years I really haven’t had much opportunity to cook as much as I like, quarantine changed this for me.
I’ve completely elevated my cooking game. I’m actually currently working on a cooking show! I will be able to share more info soon :)
What is your list of movies to absolutely watch?
Okay big question. Here we go:
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Carlito's Way
3. Biutiful
4. Vicky Christina Barcelona
5. Interstellar
6. The Skin I Live In
7. Before Sunrise series
I really love film. I moved to LA right out of high school. I have always liked structure and my post school self craved the discipline that my high school had instilled in me. So 5 days a week from Monday to Friday, I would only allow myself to watch movies from the criterion collection. If I broke this rule and decided to indulge in a few to many episodes of Kids Masterchef, I wasn’t allowed to wear my rings that weekend. I’ve been wearing the same rings since I was 17 years old and I still wear them today. Very ridiculous but I have to say it did teach me a lot. It’s hard to have discipline here in LA.
How do you define your personal style? Do the characters that you play influence your style outside the film studio?
I’ve had soooo many phases, I used to try and dress like characters I loved in movies. Béatrice Dalle in Betty blue or Nastassja Kinski in Paris Texas.
At this point, I’m like a blend of all the things I love. I wouldn’t consider myself fashionable but I really appreciate personal style. I like to keep it simple and comfortable. I am so specific about how I dress myself yet I really don’t know how I would describe it. What I feel is more important than the clothes I wear. I want to feel good in them, and that they represent me.
On your Instagram profile you share a lot of cooking recipes. Do you have a secret recipe for the perfect French Fries?
French fries, or as we call them “chippies” back in Australia are literally my favourite indulgent food. I’d choose them over desert any day. I can’t say I necessarily cook them at home, I don’t do much frying and I’m not going to pretend that cutting potatoes up in strips and roasting them are at all anything like French fries. When I eat fries, I want the real deal. If I ever see truffle shoestring fries on a menu, you better bet I’m ordering them.
