By Meriam Telhig
Forced to navigate the legal system from the perspective of a survivor, she confronts the barriers victims face in seeking justice and the difficulties of proving rape in court.
“Things can feel like they’re permanent if no one does anything to shift or change them,” Erivo told Reuters ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday. “Wicked” star Erivo plays Tessa, a successful criminal defense barrister whose life is turned upside down after she is sexually assaulted by a male colleague.
TORONTO, Sept 13 – Actor Cynthia Erivo hopes “Prima Facie,” the film adaptation of Suzie Miller’s acclaimed play examining consent, sexual violence and the challenges of pursuing justice through the British legal system, will spark conversations that lead to meaningful change. Erivo praised co-star Daniel Ings for taking on a challenging role, saying male actors can help ensure such stories continue to be told. “When someone like Daniel is brave enough to come forward and say, ‘Yeah, I’m going to play this role and we’re going to tell this story together,’ it means we have one more chance to tell this story,” she said. Director Susanna White said adapting the award-winning play for the screen initially felt daunting. Miller, who also wrote the screenplay, said she hopes the film encourages conversations around consent and accountability. Ings said the film’s themes were part of what drew him to the project.
