Nia DaCosta and Tessa Thompson are sitting in a Soho hotel, reminiscing about their partnership that spans three films, including the latest project – a radical reimagining of Henrik Ibsen's 19th-century play Hedda Gabler. The director, now 35, has taken on one of cinema's most challenging roles: the complex and ruthless heroine Hedda Gabler.
DaCosta was drawn to the Norwegian playwright's work after watching A Doll's House in her early days as a filmmaker. She remembers being stunned by Ibsen's portrayal of a woman who leaves her children because she feels she hasn't fully realized her own life, a theme that would be even more contentious today. When DaCosta read Hedda Gabler, she thought to herself: "Wow – this woman!"
Thompson, 42, took on the challenge of playing a mixed-race, bisexual woman in Hedda, a character who does "terrible, unforgivable things" throughout the film. Thompson delved into theatre archives in New York and London, studying performances without taking notes to get an intimate understanding of the play.
Their latest collaboration is set in post-war Britain, where female characters are hemmed in by patriarchal norms. DaCosta and Thompson see parallels with modern Hollywood, where studies have shown a decline in female leads in recent years. DaCosta knows that she faces invisible barriers as a black woman in Hollywood but remains determined to change the status quo.
Despite their easy rapport on set, the question arises – does DaCosta truly harbor affection for Thompson? The director laughs when asked if she has a portrait of Thompson in her dining room, and it seems clear that the two women have formed an unbreakable bond. For now, DaCosta keeps the painting safe, saying: "It doesn't look like me... until then, it's in my dining room."
DaCosta was drawn to the Norwegian playwright's work after watching A Doll's House in her early days as a filmmaker. She remembers being stunned by Ibsen's portrayal of a woman who leaves her children because she feels she hasn't fully realized her own life, a theme that would be even more contentious today. When DaCosta read Hedda Gabler, she thought to herself: "Wow – this woman!"
Thompson, 42, took on the challenge of playing a mixed-race, bisexual woman in Hedda, a character who does "terrible, unforgivable things" throughout the film. Thompson delved into theatre archives in New York and London, studying performances without taking notes to get an intimate understanding of the play.
Their latest collaboration is set in post-war Britain, where female characters are hemmed in by patriarchal norms. DaCosta and Thompson see parallels with modern Hollywood, where studies have shown a decline in female leads in recent years. DaCosta knows that she faces invisible barriers as a black woman in Hollywood but remains determined to change the status quo.
Despite their easy rapport on set, the question arises – does DaCosta truly harbor affection for Thompson? The director laughs when asked if she has a portrait of Thompson in her dining room, and it seems clear that the two women have formed an unbreakable bond. For now, DaCosta keeps the painting safe, saying: "It doesn't look like me... until then, it's in my dining room."
they are literally breaking barriers for women in film & representation! Hedda Gabler is such a complex & powerful character, and I'm obsessed with how they're bringing her to life on screen 
DaCosta's determination to shatter invisible barriers as a black woman in Hollywood gives me LIFE 
can't wait to see what they do next! 
. I've seen some reviews say that the film is 'radical' and I'm here for it - we need more films like this that challenge our perceptions of women and society.
I also appreciate how they're drawing parallels between post-war Britain and modern Hollywood. It's crazy how society hasn't changed that much. The fact that Nia DaCosta is still facing barriers as a black woman in Hollywood is just, yeah... 
But she's determined to make a change, which is awesome! 
. DaCosta is right though, the lack of female leads in Hollywood these days is wild... maybe it's because people are too scared of getting sued for "sexism" or something 
. Anyway, Nia DaCosta needs to just stop being so extra and show us more of her films already 
. And btw, who knew a painting was the answer to whether two women are friends? Lowkey intrigued by this whole dynamic tho 
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she's taking on such a complex character and i love that she's trying to break down barriers for more diverse leads in hollywood. at the same time, there are rumors floating around that maybe her feelings for tess thompson go beyond just friendship? 
idk what to make of it, but one thing is for sure - both dacosta and thompson are total bosses who are killing the game in cinema right now 
I'm literally shaking thinking about how DaCosta and Thompson are tackling this messed up character with so much love and respect 
. Like, can we talk about how refreshing it is to see a mixed-race woman playing Hedda Gabler? It's like they're breaking down barriers and smashing stereotypes right before our eyes 
. And let's not forget about DaCosta being a black woman in Hollywood trying to change the game – I'm so here for it 
. Can't wait to see what they do next!!! 
I'm loving the dynamic between Nia DaCosta and Tessa Thompson! It's so refreshing to see women in their 30s and 40s breaking down barriers in Hollywood. I mean, who wouldn't want a film that's both thought-provoking and visually stunning? 
sounds like she might be hiding her true feelings for Thompson, but honestly, I think it's sweet that she wants to keep the affection private for now. 
. I'm not buying it until she hangs it in her dining room and says it's from her personal collection 
. It's awesome to see her and Tessa working together to create something so powerful and thought-provoking.
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. Can't wait to see how this film turns out!
I think it's adorable that she keeps the painting safe and says it doesn't look like her until then 