If you’re a first-time director, you have to be over the moon when your film is selected to compete in a prestigious event like the Tribeca Film Festival. But for Lauren Hadaway, not only was her directorial debut, “The Novice,” selected to screen at Tribeca, but it also took home three awards including Best US Narrative Feature, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography. Not a bad showing at all.
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In honor of “The Novice” hitting theaters next month, we’re thrilled to give our readers an exclusive look at the first trailer for the drama. As seen in the clip, the film tells the story of one college freshman’s obsessive drive to make it on the varsity rowing team. She’s willing to do anything, no matter the physical and/or the mental toll it takes.
The award-winning drama stars Isabelle Fuhrman in the lead role. She’s joined by Dilone and Amy Forsyth in the cast. “The Novice” marks the feature debut for writer-director Lauren Hadaway.
“The Novice” is set to arrive in select theaters and VOD on December 17. You can watch the exclusive trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Isabelle Fuhrman plays Alex Dall, a queer college freshman who joins her university’s rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself to her limits—and beyond, alienating everyone around her in the name of success. Furhman’s fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway’s bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one’s for you.
