PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’ve been interviewing people for a few years now and it never gets old, especially when they are someone you admire. I had the privilege of chatting with not only a fantastic actress but a wonderful human in general, Eugenie Bondurant. She’s had a phenomenal career and her unique look has given her opportunities including Tigris in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and most recently Dani in Liongate’s Fear of Rain. We had the chance to talk about her fascinating career, what it was like to work with Gene Wilder, how she got the role for Fear of Rain, the importance of understanding mental illness, and much more!
PopHorror – First, I would like to start off by saying it’s an honor to chat with you, and thanks for taking the time to do so. My full-time job is working as a supervisor for a company that provides care to people with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities so Fear of Rain hit home strongly for me.
Eugenie Bondurant – The pleasure is mine. Thank you for reaching out. I can see how this film hit home for you. Many of the characters are what people call “flawed,” however it’s what I call, living the life to best of their capabilities.
PopHorror – Exactly! You’ve had a long, wonderful, and eccentric career in the film industry. How did this career begin for you and what inspired you to become an actress?
Eugenie Bondurant – It started when I moved to LA from NY/Paris at the height of my modeling career. My sister lives in LA. The break-up with my boyfriend who had moved to LA propelled me out of modeling into acting. Odd, right? It was actually the idea of a friend who was an acting teacher, Joe Palese. Take my class, he said and I did. It began the crazy journey. I thought it was fun and I sunk my teeth into it.
PopHorror – Seems like it was the perfect career move! You’ve worked alongside some legendary actors including Gene Wilder in Something Wilder (1994). It’s not every day an opportunity comes up like this, so I must ask, what was it like working with Gene?
Eugenie Bondurant – He was incredible. I was devastated when he passed. Ahh, what a legend. I booked that role and had to do the call back with him. I asked, “may I touch you?” Heavens! I had to dig my elbow in his back, strip his robe off, throw him on the couch and climb on top of him. It’s important that one asks permission for those types of things…and he was Gene Wilder for heaven’s sake. (I was cast as Ursula, Alice Cooper’s Dominatrix who lived next door). He was incredibly polite and affable.
PopHorror – Haha, wow that is amazing. That must be such a fond memory! You’ve played several different types of unique characters throughout your career… do you have a favorite one?
Eugenie Bondurant – Seriously, you are asking me which child I like the best? Nooooo…..I love them all. They all represent different stages of my career. I experienced a different journey with each one of them.
PopHorror – That’s a great way to look at it! Among those characters includes Tigris in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. This is an iconic character especially for those who are fans of the book series and franchise. What was it like to be cast in such a popular franchise?
Eugenie Bondurant – Yes. That was an incredible experience playing this lovely character. I am thankful that the Hunger Games fans trusted and embraced me in this role and of course the producers who pushed the green light. I made such good friends. I sat in that makeup/hair chair for quite a long time and got to be friends with talented Ve Neil, Glenn Hetrick, and Nickoletta Skarlatos. Jennifer Lawrence was kind to me and actually the first actor to introduce herself to me. Frances Lawrence was such a good director with insight and vision. I still have fans reaching out to me. And of heavens – the new book – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes! Wowza – lots of love for Tigris there. Loved reading Tigris’ back story.
PopHorror – I love hearing that everyone treated you well and I still need to read that book, I’m slacking! Are there any types of roles or specific characters you haven’t had a chance to play yet but want to?
Eugenie Bondurant – Where do I start? I’m here, Hollywood.
PopHorror – Yes, Hollywood. Hire this incredibly talented woman now! Your newest film is for the drama thriller, Fear of Rain. I read about how this role came about for you, but I think the readers would also hearing about it. Can you elaborate a bit more on how you were chosen for this film?
Eugenie Bondurant – Long version:
Hallmark Films was in pre-production about a mile from my home looking for locations within three miles of their office. I called the office to talk with the Unit Production Manager to let them know that I live in that area and could probably get them into a house they liked or knew people who could. While also secretly tooting the horn of our historic 100-year-old house in the neighborhood. Production took the bait and within an hour, smart witty LA-based Todd Mogle, Locations Manager was knocking at our front door.
Over roughly a half-hour we were best buds talking about LA, etc. Just as he was shooting in one direction, I stuck my head in the window to of course be silly. In leaving he said, I don’t know whether Hallmark will go for this house but the film that I’m on after Hallmark might be. I’ll show them to production, see what they say.
Fast forward – our lovely home booked its big debut on Hallmark! I stayed friends with Todd. Little did I know he showed the photos to Castille Landon, his good friend, writer/director extraordinaire of Fear of Rain (at that time, “I Saw a Man with Yellow Eyes”). The very same day, one of the (rock star) producers, Joe Restaino showed Castille my IMDB information suggesting that I read for a role.
I invited Todd over to my house for my writer/actors meeting that was (pre-Covid) held about 1/mo. He corners me in the kitchen and tells me the above story. At which point, he tells me that he thinks Castille may ask me to read for a role. Now, I have been in this business for a while. Here and in LA. I’m thrilled that he mentioned something but there are really no guarantees. Sure enough about a week later, Todd texts me – Castille wants you to read for something. I’m sending you the script. Here are the scenes/pages to put on tape. Get it to me asap. You are reading for Dan.
Ok. Dan. I read this script and bit into it. Loved it. With this script, one had to be honest and real. I played it as a woman. I interpreted this role as a woman. There was no other way for me.
The next day, I’m crazy busy. I’m teaching but found time to get my gal pal, Mary Rachel Quinn over to work those scenes for the self-tape. Four distinctly different scenes, some with physicality. Sent them off to Todd madly as I was racing to go teach. A few hours later, I check my phone – YOU ROCK. Those were amazing.
Days go by. I hear from Todd. She (Castille) loves you but doesn’t know if she can convince the producers to change this role to a female.
Days go by. Another text. Castille (Landon) wants to meet you.
The rest is history. Dan = Dani
PopHorror – Sounds like quite the experience! Speaking of which, can you tell us more about Dani?
Eugenie Bondurant – Dani plays the next-door neighbor and Rain’s teacher.
PopHorror – You reached out to a mental health professional to prepare for this role. Can you elaborate a bit more on this and how it helped you get a better understanding of your role, this film, and mental illness in general?
Eugenie Bondurant – It was instrumental in the development of my character and understanding of Rain’s character that I reach out to a professional who could guide me. I would be remiss if I didn’t do my homework. I learned about the positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia and how it influences behavior. People with mental illness are sensitive, oftentimes grateful that anyone would show them kindness or empathy. It could be easy to take advantage of someone with a mental illness. Personally, I was incredibly moved by the message this film sends. We all worked very hard to bring forward the delicate realness to this work.
PopHorror – Me too. There are some intense scenes throughout the film, especially towards the end. Without giving any spoilers away, did you have any favorite scenes or maybe moments that made you uncomfortable given the subject matter?
Eugenie Bondurant – Yes. The last scene. We are all ramping up for the end. The justification. If we didn’t have this last powerhouse scene we wouldn’t have a film, would we? We see that all the characters are flawed (I say that knowing that we are all perfect in our imperfections).
PopHorror – Very much so! This film had a great cast including yourself, Madison Iseman, Israel Broussard, Katherine Heigl, and Harry Connick Jr. All of you gave flawless performances. Did you have a good time working with them? Were you as impressed with Madison Iseman as I have been over her incredible talent and career thus far?
Eugenie Bondurant – Thank you. They were all amaze-balls (Ok, that’s corny). Loved Maddie Iseman. She and Castille sailed this ship home. Spot on!!! Everyone – Izzie, Harry, Katherine, Enuka – gave their all. Believe it or not, we did laugh too. Many good moments. We also were filming in Florida at the perfect time of year. Not too hot, not too cold. Perfection.
Oh – one thing. In the school scenes, I had gotten several of my former teen students to be extras. They were able to experience working on a set and see me work. It was a blast!
PopHorror – That is so cool! How do you hope audiences will respond to this film?
Eugenie Bondurant – With compassion and a deeper empathy towards people suffering from mental illness. I know I did.
PopHorror – I hope so too. Beyond Fear of Rain, another upcoming film of yours is The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Can you tell us a bit about the film and the character you play?
Eugenie Bondurant – That will be for the next interview. 🙂
PopHorror – Haha, deal! Lastly, what’s a fun fact or quirk about you that you think others would enjoy knowing?
Eugenie Bondurant – Aside from that ice cream is my fav food and my fav place to have it is while enjoying a soak in my old cast iron tub.
Oh yes, and that someone called me the female Doug Jones. Wowza – what a compliment.
PopHorror – Honestly, when I was researching your career I thought the same thing. The female version of Doug Jones. It was a pleasure talking with you, Eugenie and I hope to again in the future.
Lionsgate will release Fear of Rain on Digital Demand, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 12, 2021.
