Ellie Bamber takes on the challenge of portraying supermodel Kate Moss in the film 'Moss & Freud', directed by James Lucas and executive produced by Moss, focusing on the 2002 portrait by Lucian Freud and their surprising friendship.
Early Career and Casting
Bamber, born in 1997 in Surrey, debuted professionally at 13 in Trevor Nunn's 'Aspects of Love'. Her Hollywood break came with Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals' in 2016. Fashion was a quiet passion for Bamber, but her resemblance to Moss caught Lucas's attention, leading to her casting. Lucas stated, "Ellie was the only person on my list."
Immersive Preparation
Bamber underwent intense preparation for the role, studying Moss's mannerisms and voice with movement coach Polly Bennett and vocal coach Louise Jones. She focused particularly on Moss's Croydon accent, laugh, and runway walk.
"The big thing that we spent hours on was the laugh," Bamber noted. Her dedication even led her brother to comment on her changed laugh. Bamber also spent time with Moss, wearing pieces from Moss's archive, including a John Galliano blazer.
Physical and Emotional Transformation
Bamber's transformation included rigorous workouts, color-changing contacts, and hair dyeing. She practiced posing nude, considering Moss's history with such photography. "It was something that I thought about a lot," Bamber said.
On-Set Dynamics and Challenges
Working closely with Derek Jacobi, who played Freud, Bamber built a genuine rapport that translated on screen. Jacobi recalled their "unexpected and delightful friendship." Bamber also picked up smoking, a habit influenced by Moss's laid-back attitude on set.
'Moss & Freud' is now available on VOD, capturing the essence of Moss's iconic status and her interaction with Freud.
Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/ellie-bamber-moss-and-freud-interview
