iMordecai: Interview with Azia Hale
Published: February 9th, 2023
This week, I got to interview rising star and upcoming actress, Azia Hale and ask her about her film, iMordecai. Azia and I got personal and went in depth about her preparation for the film, her love of acting, and what it was like working with Marvin Samel and co-starring with comedy star, Judd Hirsch.
Below is the transcript of our interview.
Demetrius: Hi Azia, how are you?
Azia: I'm good, how are you?
I'm good. How's your Monday been?
It's been good. I'm running on like four hours of sleep, and I'm getting through it.
“Same, honestly.” Well it's really nice to meet you. I have quite a few questions about iMordecai and your performance and everything. So let's just dive right into it.
Okay.
So your last project was F9. What was your experience filming iMordecai where it's more intimate, you have a bigger role, and it's more of like an indie film compared to a big action blockbuster, like the Fast and Furious franchise?
I think the biggest difference was having to do a lot more research and a lot more with my character, which was also such an amazing part of it. I think that because it was so intimate, I felt very involved in the project, which was also really great. I think, for me, it was, it was an experience that I didn't think I was gonna have, you know? It was something that I felt was really life changing for me. It was a huge introduction into what I wanted to do, and it was also when I realized, okay, this is what I love and this is what I wanna keep working towards.
Could you talk a little bit more about some of the research that you did for this role? The Holocaust is a very touchy subject, so I'm curious, did you do anything out of the ordinary with your preparation? Did you get to speak to any Holocaust survivors? What was that process like doing research for this film?
Well, the director, Marvin, his father was involved. He also had family members that were involved. So I had a lot of conversations with Marvin about what he learned throughout his childhood, having family members involved. He also had a very specific idea of how he wanted Nina to be represented, so there was a lot of conversations as well as a lot of documentaries and films that he recommended that I watched. I didn't have the chance to speak with any survivors. I wish that I did, but a lot of it was basically research that I did through conversations, documentaries, and other films.
What was it like working with Marvin? What kind of director do you feel like he is? Do you feel like he gave you a chance to put your own spin on the character?
Yeah, absolutely. He is very hands-on, and he does have a very clear vision, but he also is very open to collaboration, which was really amazing. He allowed me to really have my own space. He wasn't too demanding in any sort of way. We also have a really great friendship outside of the work. So I think for us two, it was very easy to work with one another because we understand each other on a deeper level than just “director and actor.” He really made sure that I was very comfortable with everything that was going on, and any changes that we made, it was always like a conversation that happened between the two of us. So yeah, very, very hands-on and very immersive with me.
What was your process like getting connected with Marvin and getting put onto the project?
So I did an audition, and then I didn't hear anything for like four months, I think. I actually completely forgot about it. And then I got a phone call from my agent, saying that one of the producers, Dahlia Heyman wanted to meet with me, so I met with her in Los Angeles, and she had Marvin on FaceTime. I basically read the script for them, and then from there it was just like, okay, I think this will work. Then they flew me out a couple months later to be on set.
Who was the first person that you told when you got the part?
My mom *laughs*. She's been my #1 supporter since forever, since birth. She's the first person I tell everything to, so that was a really special moment, actually.
I love that. So this movie is–as someone who goes to school in Miami–a very Miami movie. There's so many references and settings that only people who live here or spend time here would get. Filming this movie in Miami, what was that like for you? Had you been to Miami before, or was it so many things to take in for you. What was a few of your favorite experiences about being in Miami?
No, I had never been to Miami before. I'm from Delaware originally, so I've been to Florida, I've been to the Orlando area and Disney World, but no, never Miami. I didn't realize how gorgeous it is here. It is so beautiful. I think, because of the film, I got to explore and see a lot more of southern Florida than I probably would have if I just came for a vacation, so that was really cool. I got to see a lot of areas that Marvin has a lot of memories with his family from, but I'm still learning the geography of it. I don't know it too well, but I love it here! I love the architecture, I love the differences in cultures and how everything is so authentic to itself, I guess is the best way I can put it…and the Cuban food. The Cuban food's really good.
That makes sense. Everything here is very authentic to itself. That's a really good way to put it.
I just love going to places where there's just so many different cultures, and you can just explore so many different avenues.
Absolutely, I agree. What was the most exciting part about this project to you? Filming it, reading the script, getting ready for it, like what was the most exciting part of it all for you?
Working with the cast that I have. It's such an incredible cast. I grew up watching all of them, so it was very surreal for me to be able to share the screen with them and to have moments with them that I'll never forget. I learned so much from them. On a personal level, I think just being on set. Like, I just love being on set. I love acting. I love working, and so, for me, I would just spend, you know, 12-hour days on set, and it would just fly by because it never felt like work to me.
What was your experience like working with Judd Hirsch? I feel like he's like a comedy legend. Was he cracking jokes the entire time on set?
Yeah, he's funny. He's somebody that, when we met, it was a very instant connection between us. Like, the chemistry was just always there and, you know, we would go golfing, we'd go out to dinner together, we'd just hang out all the time, you know, while we were working the months that we were here. He made, set very light, like even on heavier days where the scenes were, not so funny to film or anything of that sort. Even when the shoot days were heavier, it would feel safe. I think that was really important for me too because, you know, when you have to be so vulnerable on film, it can be hard when you're not feeling comfortable with things that are around you. So he made me feel really safe. He really helped me a lot, and really took me under his wing. So I'm really, really grateful for him. He's a really awesome guy.
The first scene that you filmed with him when we got introduced to your character was you two in the digital art class that you were teaching. Do you feel like you would have the tech skills to be able to do something like that in real life, like working at an Apple Store or something like that?
No, not at all. Not at all. I barely know how to work Instagram, being very honest with you. I'm not great with technology, but uh, I can fake it.
Yeah. Honestly, with all these updates, it's getting hard to keep up with!
It's always changing. I'm like, what? I just got used to the last update!
Well that's all the questions that I have for you Azia. Thank you so much for your time and the conversation, and it was great getting to speak with you.
It was great meeting you. Thank you for, thank you for your time as well.
iMordecai is a comedy film about a Holocaust survivor, Mordecai Samel (Judd Hirsch) born and raised in a different time. He must face the realities of the modern world. When confronted with an unfamiliar object, an iPhone, Mordecai starts to feel like a kid again with the help of a tech-savvy girl, Nina (Azia Hale). Through trial and error, learning new gadgets allows Mordecai to reconnect with his family, including his son, Marvin (Sean Astin) and wife, Fela (Carol Kane).
Playing in South Florida Theaters NOW!
Playing in South Florida Theaters NOW!
In theaters February 24, 2023.