You may not have heard of Lauren Hadaway’s debut feature, The Novice, but trust me the folks at Tribeca Film Festival know it very well. The film, which stars Orphan actress Isabelle Fuhrman, earned rave reviews but also won three awards including Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Narrative. Damn.
A new trailer gives you a look at what all of the buzz is about. Fuhrman stars as a queer college freshman who will push herself to the limits, and beyond, to be on the varsity rowing team. If that means alienating everyone around her, then so be it.
Fuhrman is joined in the cast by CODA actress Amy Forsyth and model/actress Dilone. The film was also written by Hadaway who based it in part on her own personal experiences as a collegiate rower. Pretty cool.
The Novice opens in theaters and digital on December 17th.
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.
