< Writer/Director Tara Miele Explores Grief, Loss in Poignant 'Wander Darkly' - Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
  • About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • Forum
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • Forum
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
No Result
View All Result

Writer/Director Tara Miele Explores Grief, Loss in Poignant ‘Wander Darkly’

The Lionsgate drama starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna drops today on demand.

by Clarence Moye
December 11, 2020
in Interviews
0
Writer/Director Tara Miele Explores Grief, Loss in Poignant ‘Wander Darkly’

(Photo: Lionsgate via EPK)

Several years ago, Tara Miele and her husband were struggling in every sense of the word. They’ve emerged from that period now, stronger and happier as a family, but as the parents of two children under six months, they once faced mounting financial pressures, a lack of work, and the stress that being working parents can put on a marriage. On top of all of that, a brutal car accident, which they fortunately both survived, coupled with the ensuing emotional fallout eventually found their way into her latest film Wander Darkly.

The film stars Sienna Miller and Diego Luna as a young couple struggling to recuperate from the devastating effects of a car accident. While reality and fiction share basic plot points, Miele used the incident to elaborate on broader themes that were not specific to her and her husband but spoke to the common struggles of young couples.

Writing Wander Darkly provided Miele a sense of catharsis that helped her recover from the effects of the accident.

“I think it’s so interesting how we can have one moment in our life happen, and we never let go of it. It lives every moment forever. You know, we’re just constantly revisiting it and taking in that wound,” Miele shared. “I think it’s quite cathartic as a filmmaker to dive into a movie that kind of heals you or teaches you. You come out the other side of it, for sure, a different person. Wander Darkly was really that for me, for sure.”

Wander Darkly features Miller and Luna navigating a dreamlike narrative that weaves their past, present, and potential future together. This complex narrative evolved from extensive planning by Miele. Rather than find the film in the editing room, she strategically worked through each scene, each character movement via carefully aligned Post-Its. In addition to personal experiences, she drew on other sources of art to create the remarkable visual and narrative palate of the film. Terry Gilliam’s 1991 acclaimed film The Fisher King proved one particularly valuable inspiration.

“It’s such a beautiful broad comedy in addition to heartfelt drama and the sort of psychological thriller/horror/fantasy element of the grief that’s haunting and consistently devastating Robin Williams’ character. I actually showed that some of that stuff to Deanna and Diego when we were in rehearsals.”

Rehearsal time helped ensure that Miller and Luna found their characters as quickly and as deeply as possible. Given the intimate on-screen story, chemistry between the two actors was of paramount importance. Through that rehearsal time, Miele and team openly discussed their own experiences with trauma, grief, and loss and their intersections with relationships.

Fortunately, Miller and Luna grew into the acting world together, boasting a long-standing friendship that definitely reflects in their on-screen chemistry.

(Photo: Lionsgate via EPK)

“Sienna had to do quite a lot of work that left her emotionally sort of unmoored. That was the work, to be unhinged and not know which way was up. Diego in is such a lovely person, such a rock, that he really knew how to be her anchor on set,” Miele revealed, “to really be there for her to hold onto emotionally, that roller coaster that she was on.”

Wander Darkly originally premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that rocked the film industry and played havoc with film release schedules. In the end, the film will be seen at home in more intimate settings than a traditional movie theater. While every director wants their films to be seen on big screens, Miele isn’t completely distraught by the idea of Wander Darkly streaming for audiences at home.

She hopes that it forces couples to look at their own relationships in a different way.

“I love theaters. I hope they come back. Don’t get me wrong, but there is definitely a new conversation happening, especially about independent film and distribution models. I think that’s a good thing,” Miele remarked. “I actually love the idea of people being able to watch this film with someone they love in their home and experience that private little thing together and, hopefully, love each other more on their way out. There’s something sort of affirming about loving the one you’re with. I think it’s lovely if people experience the film this way.”

 

 

Tags: Tara MieleWander Darkly
Clarence Moye

Clarence Moye

Clarence Moye is an editor at Awards Daily.

Next Post
Emily Blunt Charms in ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’

Emily Blunt Charms in 'Wild Mountain Thyme'

Sign up for Awards Daily's Breaking News

* indicates required

Predictions Friday – All Eyes on the Golden Globes

Predictions Friday – All Eyes on the Golden Globes
by Sasha Stone
January 15, 2021
51

Marsha Stephanie Blake On Playing a Character We’ve Never Seen Before in ‘I’m Your Woman’

Marsha Stephanie Blake On Playing a Character We’ve Never Seen Before in ‘I’m Your Woman’

(Photo: Wilson Webb/Amazon Studios)

by Joey Moser
January 15, 2021
0

The State of the Race: Heading into the Thick of It in a Season of Trauma

The State of the Race: Heading into the Thick of It in a Season of Trauma
by Sasha Stone
January 14, 2021
60

Owen Teague Braves a Deadly Pandemic – No, Not That One – in ‘The Stand’

Owen Teague Braves a Deadly Pandemic – No, Not That One – in ‘The Stand’

(Photo: CBS)

by Clarence Moye
January 14, 2021
0

Director Max Barbakow Reveals Why ‘Palm Springs’ Wasn’t Originally a Time Loop Movie

Director Max Barbakow Reveals Why ‘Palm Springs’ Wasn’t Originally a Time Loop Movie

(Photo by: Christopher Willard/Hulu)

by Megan McLachlan
January 14, 2021
0

David E. Talbert On Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream with ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’

David E. Talbert On Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream with ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’

(Talber on set with Madalen Mills; photo by Gareth Gatrell/Netflix)

by Joey Moser
January 13, 2021
2

Nate Parker’s American Skin is One of the Year’s Best

Nate Parker’s American Skin is One of the Year’s Best
by Sasha Stone
January 13, 2021
13

Aya Cash Is Not Your Dad’s Superhero in Amazon Prime’s ‘The Boys’

Aya Cash Is Not Your Dad’s Superhero in Amazon Prime’s ‘The Boys’

(Photo: Jasper Savage)

by Clarence Moye
January 13, 2021
0

Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham On Why Rebecca Is the Character She’s Been Waiting to Play All Her Life

Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham On Why Rebecca Is the Character She’s Been Waiting to Play All Her Life

Courtesy of AppleTV+

by Megan McLachlan
January 13, 2021
0

Richa Moorjani on Her Breakout Role in Netflix’s ‘Never Have I Ever’

Richa Moorjani on Her Breakout Role in Netflix’s ‘Never Have I Ever’
by Jalal Haddad
January 13, 2021
0

Noma Dumezweni On Haley’s Ego and Fierce Skill for HBO’s ‘The Undoing’

Noma Dumezweni On Haley’s Ego and Fierce Skill for HBO’s ‘The Undoing’

(Photo: Niko Tavernise/HBO)

by Joey Moser
January 12, 2021
0

Nicole Beharie On Her Character’s Impactful Journey in ‘Miss Juneteenth’

Nicole Beharie On Her Character’s Impactful Journey in ‘Miss Juneteenth’

(Photo: Vertical Entertainment)

by Kevin Dillon
January 12, 2021
1

Mary Holland On Your ‘Happiest Season’ Discourse About Abby and Riley

Mary Holland On Your ‘Happiest Season’ Discourse About Abby and Riley

Courtesy of Hulu

by Megan McLachlan
January 12, 2021
0

Join us Facebook

AwardsDaily Crew

  • About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us

ADTV Crew

  • ADTV Home
  • Megan McLachlan, Co-Editor
  • Clarence Moye, Co-Editor
  • Jalal Haddad, Senior Contributor
  • Joey Moser, Senior Contributor
  • Kevin Dillon
  • Shadan Larki
  • Ben Morris
  • David Phillips

Follow on Twitter

ADTV Twitter

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertising on Awards Daily

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • Forum
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com