Ahead of today’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 Los Angeles premiere, actress Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) took to Reddit to answer fan questions regarding her upcoming role as Cressida in the franchise’s final two films. For those who haven’t read the Suzanne Collins series – or have forgotten – Cressida is a video journalist and former Capitol resident who joins Katniss’ District 13 crusade with her camera crew in tow.
The Hunger Games series has satirically mocked popular media up until this point, showing its inclinations toward skewed visions of reality and sensationalist storytelling, whatever the cost. Cressida represents the other side of the media and its ability to inform and change the conversation for the better. When asked to compare her role as Cressida to her famous character Margaery Tyrell in the HBO series Game of Thrones, Dormer replied:
It was fun to play someone who works the other side of the camera. Like Cressida’s out there in the field, whereas everything Margaery does is sitting around behind closed doors. They’re both very PR-savvy, that’s what they have in common, they both know how to manipulate hearts & minds.”
As Dormer hints, Cressida manipulates the Capitol’s media practices in order to gain momentum and new supporters for the rebellion, making her a valuable asset to Katniss’ mission. This released clip teases the character’s involvement and reveals Dormer’s personal take:
From the very beginning of the casting process, Dormer says she “had a pretty strong instinct about [Cressida].” Specifically in response to this clip, and a fan’s inquiry into Cressida’s “badass” origins, Dormer commented,
I think she came from a subversive family of artists that never agreed with the government for the past 75 years. She comes from an artistic, freedom-fighter family.”
Primarily serving the rebellion as a serious journalist, Dormer recognizes a supreme art to Cressida’s craft. The actress even drew on her own favorite artist, American WWII and Vogue photographer Lee Miller, for inspiration. Dormer claimed, “for me, [Cressida]’s like a dystopian Lee Miller.”
To see how Dormer brings this rebel artist to life, we will have to wait until Mockingjay-Part 1 premieres worldwide this Friday, November 21. Meanwhile, check out the film’s official final trailer.
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