H.e is one of the world’s most famous actors, best known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise. But now Tom Felton wants to use his platform to shine a spotlight on someone whose historic achievements have been hidden for decades.
Felton’s first feature film tells the story of Anne Axel Morris, one of the first female American archaeologists, who worked with the Navajo in the 1920s to discover the Anasazi, the oldest civilization in North America. , produced Canyon del Muerto.
“It’s an epic story that has never been told,” said Felton. “Anne Morris has only recently been recognized as a credible archaeologist. Regardless.”
Due out this spring, Felton will play Maurice’s husband, Earl, who is often cited as a model for George Lucas’ Indiana Jones character. Explores how her achievements in Morris were overshadowed by her husband’s fame and her prejudices against women.
The film was the first to be licensed to shoot in the sacred and culturally significant landscape of Canyon de Chelly on Navajo land in Arizona. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez hailed it as “an extraordinary showcase of our land, our people and our culture.”
Fenton said: i love archeology. I’ve always been obsessed with digging up the past. Jurassic Park was just part of my passion as a kid. I fell in love with the Model T cars, tools and equipment. “
Morris found her way into archeology in the 1920s, but at a time when the field was mostly male, she was undeterred and often took jobs as a nanny and children’s attendant to excavations. was.
The film discourages her and her husband from crossing the southwestern United States and their descent into Canyon del Muerto, known as Canyon of the Dead, because a Navajo guide believed it to be cursed. I’m drawing how it looks.
“Earl was a very outspoken shooter, but Anne is the central character of the story. She was a very courageous young woman,” said Felton. “The story of Anne’s health problems and Earl’s inability to bring his wife into the playing field on an even and level playing field leads to a very heavily written and ambitious script, full of beautiful details. was.”
Written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, the film features Bafta winner Abigail Lowry as Morris and supporting cast including Oscar winners Wes Studi and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.
Felton said he and Laurie had to attend an archeology “boot camp” prior to filming to ensure the on-screen details were correct. “We had to get our hands dirty and learn the actual methodological nature of the discipline. It’s painstakingly difficult and slow.” It also had materials such as existing photographs and historical geographic fragments. “We were immersed. Most of the dialogue is based on Ann’s letters,” he said.
Felton said he hopes to bring his “experience growing up on a movie set” to this and future producing roles. “It was nice to be part of the decision-making team, but it was definitely more challenging than I expected. Normally, as an actor, you show up, do your thing, and leave.” This time I was more involved in the production of the film: how to use the time, what scenes are the most important and what to do immediately before moving on to the next piece in a limited amount of time.
“There are so many moving pieces that no one is really right. It’s pretty scary to be honest, but it’s been fun to see it all come together.”
The actor, who became a bestseller when his memoir Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard was released earlier this year, was lucky to break out of the Harry Potter mold, but he Still “I’m really enjoying the Potter mayhem.
He adds: It’s hard to believe how many have been passed down to the next generation and still retain their British character. One step below the royal family. There’s a shop at the airport that sells bags and such, which is amazing. The Potter fandom is clearly going nowhere. “
Felton recently went to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with a friend. “I was wearing a hat and a mask so I managed to stay out of sight, but they were too absorbed in what was going on on stage to notice old Tom.”
