“The Courageous”, interview with director Jasmin Gordon and actress Ophelia Kolb

Fred Film Radio had the pleasure of speaking with Jasmin Gordon, director of “The Courageous”, and actress Ophelia Kolb at Alice nella Città. They discussed their collaboration on this intense, character-driven film that challenges stereotypes of single mothers and asks audiences to embrace nuanced, imperfect characters. “The Courageous” is a story about a single mother who lives a kind of double life… trying to be the best mother she can, while also wrestling with her criminal past,” Gordon describes. This tension in the lead character, Jule, is central to the film’s exploration of morality and resilience.

Collaboration on Set: Creating the Complex Character of Jule

Kolb and Gordon share how their partnership on set brought depth to Jule. Ophelia Kolb describes her understanding of the character as immediate: “I think I understood Jule very quickly… it was easy to work with Jasmine because we were on the same route, talking the same language.”  Jasmin Gordon ’s directing approach welcomed Ophelia Kolb’s contributions, creating a collaborative and organic working environment. “I don’t have a perfect image of a scene… it’s more about an emotional feeling,” Gordon explains, underscoring her openness to new ideas from her cast.

Breaking Stereotypes: Presenting a Multifaceted Portrait of a Mother

A significant theme in “The Courageous” is breaking down the societal expectations of mothers. Both Gordon and Kolb drew from their experiences to shape a character who embodies strength without adhering to traditional ideals. “We both have mothers or know women who are complex,” Gordon says, “women who are strong but not in a simplistic way.” Kolb adds, “We know a Jule in our lives, which made it natural to bring that complexity to her.” Their commitment to this authentic portrayal was crucial, they believe, for viewers to understand Jule’s struggles beyond clichés.

The Cake Scene: A Moment of Silent Empathy and Sacrifice

One particular scene of “The Courageous” resonates deeply with Jasmin Gordon and Ophelia Kolb: the cake scene, where Jule ‘s love for her children is shown without dialogue. Kolb describes it as the “perfect way to explain her love for her kids without words.” Gordon agrees, explaining that the scene reflects the immense pressure on mothers to achieve an unrealistic ideal. “There’s this pressure to be a ‘supermom’—perfect in every way. She could just tell her kids, ‘Here’s a store-bought cake, I love you,’ but instead, she feels compelled to go further, to maintain that image,” Gordon shares. This subtle yet poignant scene reflects how far Jule will go to protect her image as a “good mother.”

Challenging Perspectives: A New Light on Characters Like Jule

One of Jasmine Gordon’s goals with “The Courageous” is to inspire empathy for characters like Jule. She wanted to create a lead character who might seem morally ambiguous but whose journey and struggles are relatable. “I really hope this character allows certain people to have more empathy for women on the border of what’s acceptable,” Gordon says. Choosing Kolb for the role was essential to achieving this effect, as Kolb “brings so much lightness and heartwarming energy” that allows audiences to connect with Jule, even in her darkest moments.

Defining a Good Mother: Embracing Imperfection

Ultimately, we asked Jasmin Gordon and Ophelia Kolb what it means to be a good mother. Both Gordon and Kolb reflect on their views, agreeing that motherhood doesn’t require perfection. “Being perfect isn’t a good thing,” says Gordon. “Kids need to see a mom who’s human, who shows her emotions.” Kolb adds that a good mother “brings love and tries to show that life, though challenging, can have its bright moments.” This message is central to “The Courageous”, a film that captures the beauty in imperfection.

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