PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It’s been a long time that a movie has stuck with me quite like how Jean-Christopher Meurisse’s French flick, Bloody Oranges, is still on my mind many months after first watching it. The film is being marketed as a dark comedy. Yes, it does have some pretty good comedic elements. But man, it’s really freaking dark. It’s not for everyone, and if you are squeamish or can be triggered, I would probably skip it. But if you’re like me, and you crave the uncomfortable and darkness, then do not sleep on this one and watch it ASAP. To celebrate Bloody Oranges’ release on digital and VOD, I chatted with star Lilith Grasmug via zoom, about her initial reaction to the script, what she wanted to bring to her character, what’s up next, and more!
**This interview contains mild spoilers.**
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PopHorror: I loved Bloody Oranges. I watched it during last year’s Fantastic Fest, and it is the craziest movie I have watched in a long time, so I’m really excited to speak with you. This film is just bonkers. It’s complete insanity. What was your initial reaction to the script?
Lilith Grasmug: I’m going to say it wasn’t an immediate “I’m going to do this” because I was very afraid that people could laugh about the rape scenes. So I talked a lot with my agent and with the director as well, to make sure that everything was very clear about each scene, and yeah. And then I made it.
PopHorror: What was it that intrigued you about it in the first place, and made you want to be a part of it?
Lilith Grasmug: I think the fact that the story was pretty spicy. What drew me to the role was also the fact that I never got to play such a character before so it was very interesting to play that kind of role, to be shy and very mad at the same time, and that has all those shades of darkness in her, so that was very interesting about her. And I also loved the director.
PopHorror: Spicy is definitely a word to describe it, that is for sure. After reading the script, was there anything that you were adamant about bringing to your character?
Lilith Grasmug: I think that I told myself that she had to bring a form of female power into the movie, so I didn’t want her to be an eternal victim. She had to be strong, although she’s going through all that emotional breakdown in the scene with the lawyer. The director also told me that he wanted it to be a happy ending. The viewers should be able to feel that she made it and when she goes out of the basement, she’s happy to have her new boyfriend. And yeah, things are going right for her after that traumatic episode. I think it’s a message of hope, so it was very important to me to bring that to her.
PopHorror: What made you want to get into acting?
Lilith Grasmug: Actually, I didn’t really want to be an actress, especially I mean. I was very interested in making movies, and it was the way I found to be able to be on the set the whole day. And then one thing after another, I made some films, but I think that the first impulse to go into this industry was really the sheer excitement about being on the set and just looking around at how people make it.
PopHorror: I think you made a good choice! So what is up next for you?
Lilith Grasmug: So just before shooting Bloody Oranges, I made another movie. A period piece. It’s going to be released in several months so there will be some kind of promotion for the film. I just came back from Normandy where I shot another movie, which is also a period piece, but a 60s movie. Very interesting! And now I’m about to shoot another one in August and in September.
PopHorror: That’s exciting! I’ll have to keep an eye out. I just have one last question for you today. What is your favorite scary movie?
Lilith Grasmug: I guess it’s Funny Games by Michael Haneke.
Thank you so much to Lilith for taking the time to speak with us. Be sure to catch Bloody Oranges on digital and VOD now!
