Interview: Carlee Baker (The Woman)

EXCLUSIVE HORRORNEWS.NET INTERVIEW : CARLEE BAKER
THE WOMAN, SOMETHING LIKE MURDER  

What can you tell us about your character, Genevieve Raton, in the upcoming movie, “The Woman”?

The character I play in the film, Ms. Raton, is a young idealistic teacher who becomes concerned about one of her students, the oldest daughter of the Cleek family. She tries to convince the girl to confide in her, but is unsuccessful, so she decides to take matters into her own hands in a misguided effort to “save” this young girl. Needless to say, it doesn’t work out too well for her!

What attracted you to this movie?

I met Lucky in 2007 when I was working on another film, and we really connected with each other. In 2008 I starred in a short film he created for XBox Live’s “Horror Meets Comedy” series called “Blue Like You,” and when he started writing “The Woman” with Jack Ketchum, he wrote the part of Ms. Raton for me, in an effort to help me make the transition from playing the sexy college co-ed to a more adult role.

What is it like working with the director, Lucky McKee?

I really enjoy working with Lucky because he’s an incredibly compassionate director. He’s very emotionally driven, and places a lot of trust in his actors to take their own journeys and jump headfirst into the characters.

Is there a stand out scene in this movie?

I think all the scenes stand out in the movie, but I’m a little biased! As far as the scenes my character is a part of, my favorite by far is the scene where I make a surprise visit to the Cleek family home. I was lucky enough to get to act with Sean Bridgers in that scene, and he’s amazing on a million different levels. It was a real honor to get to share that screen time with him.

Did any of the subject matter in this movie make you uncomfortable?

Absolutely, but that’s what makes this film so important in my opinion. The subject matter IS uncomfortable, and it’s meant to push the boundaries of its audience and force them to question, to challenge, and to form opinions as to what they’re watching. There aren’t enough movies that make you think, that make you genuinely feel something, and the fact that “The Woman” has the guts to do that is something to be celebrated.

What kind of impact did the film make at Sundance?

Most people who are fans of horror saw the fallout that occurred during our Sundance premiere, I think. There was a gentleman there who had an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the film, and he became very vocal and irate in expressing his feelings to his fellow audience members before he was escorted out of the theatre. It was very overwhelming and upsetting while it was happening, but surprisingly ended up making “The Woman” one of the most talked-about films at Sundance, and gave us a ton of free publicity, so all’s well that ends well! And, to make things even better, the film was very positively and warmly received at its other Sundance screenings.

Questions – Cinemax’s Femme Fatales : Something Like Murder

Now, let’s talk about your likes and dislikes of your character, Beth
Odets, in the Cinemax series Femme Fatales “Something Like Murder”?

Beth was a super fun character to play, because she’s a true femme fatale—that woman is pure evil from top to bottom! She knows how to play every card in her deck to get what she wants, and relishes in playing “puppet master” and manipulating every person that stands in her way.

Do you have a favorite scene that our Horrornews.net fans should look out
for?

Well, the episode is only 30 minutes long and has lots of murder and sex, so I’d recommend watching it all, haha! Seriously, though, my favorite scene to shoot was the final confrontation in the warehouse. That’s where Beth’s true colors shine through.

What is it that you like about Cinemax’s Femme Fatales?

I like that it isn’t afraid to push boundaries and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a really fun anthology series that really takes after “Tales from the Crypt” in the sense that it’s very tongue-in-cheek and values humor just as much as horror. Plus, the girls are smokin hot!

Will you be returning to Cinemax’s Femme Fatales?

Probably not, since my character finds herself pretty darn dead at the end of my episode! However, you never know–there’s always the possibility of a prequel, or maybe she has a twin!

Other Questions:

What was your favorite horror movie when you were a kid?

I’ve always been a huge fan of “Pet Sematary”–there just isn’t a better movie to watch when you’re at home alone with the lights off! There’s so much to love about that film, and movies with scary children are always fun. Plus, I love that Mary Lambert put female horror directors on the map, because horror had been such a man’s game up until that point.

Do you have a favorite horror movie scream queen?

I’m a huge fan of all women who own the label of “scream queen!” Some of the most brilliant, funny, and lovely women I’ve ever met have been fellow scream queens, and I think the thing that is so cool about this genre is the genuine love and respect we all have for each other. It’s like a big, sexy family!

Interview: Carlee Baker (The Woman)