This year has seen a number of musicals that have captured audiences imaginations. Yet, I’ve seen nothing like the latest from actor/director/writer Brady Corbet. VOX LUX is a strange fever dream of a flick, one that features the music of Sia and stars Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Willem Dafoe and Raffey Cassidy. The film examines a pop star who gained fame after surviving a school shooting. It is a mix of music and modern tragedy, all of which play a part in Portman's Celestes' life. Raffey Cassidy also portrays the younger version of the pop phenomena, as well as the older Celeste’s daughter.
We recently went behind the spotlight and spoke to both Portman and Cassidy. With Sia as executive producer – and also creating the songs for the film – the two discussed how much of an influence she was. Ms. Portman also opened up about playing a character who is very different from herself, and why she is attracted to characters like Celeste. One of the most charming moments was hearing Ms. Cassidy’s clear enthusiasm for getting to be on set and listen to Sia’s music before anybody else. Are you ready to rock? VOX LUX hits the stage – well, theatre – this weekend.