“It was such an out of the ordinary thing to do and nothing I ever prepared for.”
Claire Foy discusses the “inevitable” pull of her new film H is for Hawk, based on Helen Macdonald’s memoir, and the intensity of falconry, noting she “immediately connected with them” while filming.
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Editor’s Note: This conversation has been edited and condensed for publication.
What made you want to pursue this film?
I felt like this film pursued me in a way. It felt like this was inevitable. Basically, I’d worked with Dede Gardner, the producer, before on Women Talking, and she had mentioned to me when we were doing press for Women Talking that I should read the book because she was thinking of making it. And on reading the book, I realized that it was a book that had meant a lot to a very, very close friend of mine. And so, the two of those things coming together was quite strange. Like the-universe-telling-me-to-do-something type-moment.
What was the process of working with the birds?
I learned how to be around these wild creatures totally with Helen in my mind at all times. So it was less of a personal experience for me. Learning basic falconry and to have a connection with these animals was always with Helen [in mind], and how significant they are and the significance of them in the memoir and therefore in the script, which was really helpful because it was such an out-of-the-ordinary thing to do and nothing that I ever could have ever prepared myself for.
What was the set like with the hawks?
That was one of the undertakings of actually making the film, to make the set entirely for them. There was no one in the room apart from me and the camera operator. Philippa [Lowthorpe], the director, had to be hidden away. All the crew had to hidden away, and all the handling that you see in the film is, obviously I did myself, because it’s me doing it.
How do you feel about being connected to The Crown?
I suppose I’m used to it a little bit now. It’s been 10 years since I shot it. And so, I am really proud of being part of the show and really proud of what the show did and how long it went on for and the regeneration of the character and all those things.
Would you ever consider doing Broadway?
Oh my God, I’d love to. I did a play in the U.K., Lungs. We were supposed to come, we were going to Brooklyn literally in March 2020 [when COVID hit]. So that was supposed to be my Broadway moment. I would love to.
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