Advertisement

Samantha Barks on Her New Role in 'Bitter Harvest'

Photo credit: Ian Gaban
Photo credit: Ian Gaban

From Town & Country

Samantha Barks' screen presence is usually marked by her powerful vocal range . The actress's breakout role as Eponine in the 2012 musical drama Les Miserables earned her critical praise, and since then, fans have anticipated further musical roles from the 26-year-old.

Her new gig, however, relies solely on her acting chops. Bitter Harvest, a romantic-drama set in 1933 Soviet Ukraine, stars Barks as Natalka, the tenacious heroine and sweetheart of the lead (played by Max Irons) struggling to survive the Holodomor, a famine that took the lives of millions of Ukrainians and which many called a Stalinist genocide.

T&C caught up with the leading lady to get the scoop on her new role and everything she's been doing since Les Miz.

This isn't exactly a light movie. What was your first reaction to reading the script for Bitter Harvest?

When I read the script, there were so many awful and wonderful things that happened to this character, a real kind of challenge. She goes through everything. Everything that you can possibly imagine. So there was this moment of excitement at the challenge - fear and excitement, of course.

How did you prepare to play a character gradually starving?

Well we actually had a program. Because you know, as the film progresses, we are getting starved out. It was a healthy regime, but you know, to sort of portray that we all were shrinking down a little bit.

Was it as intense as your Les Miz regimen?

No, it wasn't the same thing. I think for Le Mis my character from the outset was meant to be a street urchin, so you kind of have to prepare to get into that. And with this film, it sort of steadily happens throughout the film, so it's not something that you can necessarily arrive on day one having worked out for a few months and it'd be fine. It was more challenging because the script sort of went mostly in order. From one day to the next you were kind of healthy then not healthy.

And this was your first time working with Max Irons, right? Can you tell us a little bit about your onscreen relationship?

Yes, the first day we met was the first day we started filming. He was so fantastic, and I think because our characters are so close and then torn apart, we'd be filming on different sets, and we'd meet back up in the makeup trailers and we'd be like, "How was it? How was that?" And in the film we are sort of reunited, and we'd be like, "What's happening? What's happening with you?" It'd be like this married couple that was split apart.

Were you familiar with the time period, and especially this terrible incident, before reading the script?

I didn't know about this incident at all before I took on the part, which is one of the reasons that it's just so chilling. When I told a lot of people about the film, they had not heard about it either, which is kind of why it's so awful, because it's was kept so under wraps. How people could have not heard about this absolutely horrific thing is baffling. And that's why I think it was an important film to be made.

Photo credit: Ian Gaban
Photo credit: Ian Gaban

Changing gears a bit: you released a new album recently! How was that process?

I did indeed! It was last year, and I did a tour around the UK, and that was great, new experience. I've always loved music, and loved recording. But it was a really brand new thing for me, because I've done theater for most of my life, and film for a few years. So to be doing solo gigs is really scary!

And I saw you were just back home for your sister's wedding.

Aww, yes, that was amazing. Well, I was maid of honor, and it was the thing where, you talk about your big sister's wedding since you're like a kid, and you always imagine what it will be like. And it was the most amazing time. But I wasn't prepared for it at all. I thought I had it all under control, I was organizing all morning, and then as she walks down the aisle and I uncontrollably start crying. I was just overwhelmed and happy for her. You just don't know what to expect in that moment. I remember it happened to my brother as well years ago, when he got married, and I was like, "that's my brother!"

You're definitely looked up to for your style. Do you have any fashion icons?

I think you know the classic is Audrey Hepburn. What I love about her style is it's chic, and at times simple but sophisticated. Simple but chic, that's what I'm drawn to.

And you have a new beau, Jack Fox. Has it been difficult balancing your personal life with tours and rehearsals?

I think within what my job is, you always have to find a balance, because this job is also a life choice. You're traveling about, your hours are all over the place. If you're in a show, you're out every night.

It's very hard to have a natural schedule. I think that's definitely important for anybody. It's important to make your social life and your friends and family - make that a priority. Make the most of the time you do get off. You know because you think you've got time, and it's like the time's gone, and you should have had a little weekend away or something like that. Making the most of your spare time.

You Might Also Like