Rebecca Hall Talks ‘Christine,’ Working With Antonio Campos & Blurring Lines With Reality

Christine Chubbuck’s death has become a source of internet theories, memes, debate and even scholarly analysis. The story itself is maddeningly fascinating. On July 15, 1974, 30-year-old South Florida news anchor Chubbuck, stated on live television, “In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see another first: attempted suicide.” She then shot herself in the head and died instantly, with a shocked television audience looking on in horror.

READ MORE: Sundance Review: Antonio Campos’ ‘Christine’ Starring A Mesmerizing Rebecca Hall Is Vivid & Intense

Having premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Antonio Campos’ “Christine” has been met with rave reviews. It coincidentally wasn’t the only film about Chubbuck at the fest, the other being Robert Greene‘s fascinating docudrama “Kate Plays Christine.”

In “Christine,” Rebecca Hall plays Chubbuck with all requisite mystery for such a daunting task. We spoke to Hall about the film and her role at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Congrats on the movie!
Thank you. I’m very proud of it.

How did you come across the script?
Well, it was actually quite simple —My agent gave it to me (laughs). I was actually kind of mortified by it. I hid the script somewhere, and then eventually went back to it. To my surprise, I was instantly gripped by how surreal, perplexing and ambiguous it was.

Had you heard of Chubbuck before reading the screenplay?
Not at all. All the knowledge I had of Christine was through the script.

It was probably not an easy film to sell.
No, not at all (laughs). I want to champion this film, and to have it be seen by as many people as possible. I’m so proud of what Antonio has accomplished. Going back to your point, I think it’s a tough sell because at the center of it is a woman who isn’t entirely likable. She’s an antihero of sorts. I think being an actor means taking a character that might not be likable and making them relatable and comprehensive in a way. I don’t think there are many roles written for women that are like that.

You think audiences are not ready for a female anti-hero on-screen?
Robert De Niro has made a career out of playing antiheroes. All his roles have been praised.

Bickle, Pupkin, La Mota…
Exactly, but these characters he plays are not good people. They’re ugly. But when it’s a woman, it’s like, “She’s making me feel uncomfortable?” I think there is just so much pressure for female characters to be likable, whereas men are allowed to play with a whole gamut of emotions with their characters. That’s why the screenplay and the role turned me on. It goes against a lot of what is acceptable for a female role to be like these days.

There are signs that progress is being made though, don’t you think? Many actresses are starting to be more vocal in their disapproval and the unfairness of the film industry.
Oh yes, I do think we’re living in an important and exciting time right now. People can complain all they want about superhero movies, but we are getting to see a celebration of women, where actresses are playing big heroines in big movies. Things are shifting, but there’s still a lot that needs to be done. But we’re headed in the right direction. I hope this film pushes that movement forward.

I think it definitely will. It also seems to be tackling a lot of societal taboos that never seem to be addressed at the movies.
Right. Christine is a woman working in a man’s world, and she is depressed. People do like her, but she doesn’t seem to be content about her life. She also just feels very relevant for today’s spectrum. It is so rare that you get a role like this as an actress. If you’re lucky, you will get a “Christine” to fall in your lap maybe once or twice in your career — that is, if you are a male actor. It’s one in a million. That’s why I feel so lucky to be part of Antonio’s film.