Fresh off the Cannes world premiere of Camp Miasma, Hannah Einbinder joined Variety’s Angelique Jackson on Kering Women in Motion Talk to talk about Jane Schoenbrun’s gay slasher, the final season of Hux, and the importance of speaking up for Palestine.
“Camp Miasma,” which opened the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes on Wednesday night, received a six-minute standing ovation that Einbinder described as “totally surreal.” In the film, the “Hux” Emmy winner plays Chris, an indie filmmaker called in to revive the cult classic horror series alongside one of the original Scream Queens played by Gillian Anderson. “Camp Miasma” also tackles themes of sexuality, gender, and desire, as Einbinder and Anderson’s characters begin a relationship.
When asked why she was drawn to the role, Einbinder said, “I really empathized with Chris’s difficulty in being comfortable in his own body.” “This movie is really about something that I think most people have probably experienced in this room, which is the shame and discomfort around sex. And definitely, in making this movie, I had to examine how true that is for me. And I think that’s something that we don’t talk about. That’s why I think this movie is so important.”
Regarding working with Anderson, Einbinder admitted that he “has a type” after sharing the screen with Gene Smart in “The Hux.” “Chemistry is not something that is built; you either have it or you don’t have it,” she added.
“Our intimacy coordinator was very helpful in making sure they talked with us about how important it is to make sure the dynamics feel respectful and that everything feels balanced in the right way,” Einbinder said. “There’s a fine line, not just with action, but with editing. For example, if this movie had been edited differently, it might have turned out differently. It’s important to look at the details.”
Although Einbinder is still in the early stages of his career, he has also become widely known as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken actors on topics such as AI and Palestine. She memorably ended her Emmy Award acceptance speech last September by declaring, “Fuck ICE, let’s liberate Palestine and go to the Byrds!” In a recent podcast interview, Einbinder criticized Hollywood’s general lack of silence regarding aid to Gaza, saying, “People in Hollywood, unfortunately, need these issues that affect white people to make white people think that this issue concerns them.”
Speaking on the topic of Palestine at Kering’s Women in Motion lecture, Einbinder said: “I follow in the footsteps of the Palestinians who set the standard and have always had to be their own advocates. I am truly happy to join the tradition of Palestinian and Jewish allies who are dedicated to speaking out at a time when many are afraid to speak out. I will follow their lead.”
Asked about fears of being blacklisted like Susan Sarandon and Melissa Barrera, who lost their jobs for speaking out, Einbinder said that doesn’t deter her.
“I think what they know is the same as what I know, which means the cost of not talking is higher, right?” she said. “The cost of not talking is higher and I have to get my priorities straight. I don’t have the impression that my one little career is no better than one person’s life. So, you know, this is an obligation and I will always do it.”
In an interview with Variety last week, Barrera said she would like to work with Einbinder and other pro-Palestinian celebrities such as Sarandon and Javier Bardem. Is Einbinder a game?
“Yes! I want to work with[Barrera]and Susan and all of you… Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem. All of them,” she said. “I’m with Melissa, we’re like, let’s do something together.”
She also joked, “A road trip movie! Just kidding. There’s this bunch of crazy people in cars! This summer!”
Einbinder looked back on the final season of “Hacks,” which is currently airing, and said that he was sad to part ways with his character Eva. When asked to describe the series finale in one word, she answered, “Pain.”
“I’ve worn all of her clothes, like a deceased relative,” Einbinder said of Eva. “i love her).”
“Camp Miasma” will be released in theaters on August 7th.
