TMU grad in Oscar-nominated film Women Talking
Kira Guloien is in the film Women Talking, which has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Watch above to hear her talk about the experience and share advice for aspiring actors. (Toronto Metropolitan University/YouTube)
When Kira Guloien found out she had landed a role in the Oscar-nominated film Women Talking- starring Academy Award winner Frances McDormand and directed by renowned Canadian writer/director Sarah Polley - she couldn’t believe it.
“I was in the grocery store with my partner (when I found out). I hung up the phone and just looked at him - and we shared the longest, happiest hug in the laundry detergent aisle. It was very emotional,” she said.
Guloien, 32, who is originally from Edmonton, graduated in 2012 from Toronto Metropolitan University’s theatre program (now known as Performance Acting), which is part of The Creative School.
Since then, she’s been cast in Dr. Zhivago on Broadway, played the role of Mrs. Walker in Tommy at the Stratford Festival, been selected for the iconic role of The Sheriff (of Nottingham) in the Boatrocker’s upcoming Robyn Hood series for Global TV, had a guest appearance on CTV’s The Good Doctor, is in CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries, was a guest star in two episodes of Coroner, and been on stage in countless other productions.
But this film stands out.
It’s the first movie she’s been in that’s been nominated for an Academy Award. Women Talking is up for both Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars on March 12.
The Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination is Polley’s second. Her first came in 2006 for the film Away from Her, also in the category of Best Screenplay. (Polley first became a household name in Canada when she played the role of Sarah Stanley in Road to Avonlea from 1990-1996.)
Inspired by true events
Women Talking is based on a 2018 novel by Canadian author Miriam Toews, and inspired by true events that occurred in a Mennonite community in Bolivia between 2005 and 2009, when women were drugged and sexually abused by men.
“The film is an imagined response of the women,” Guloien said, explaining that some wanted to do nothing, some wanted to stay and fight, and others wanted to leave.
“I think this film will start a lot of important conversations,” she said of the star-studded production, in which she plays the daughter of McDormand’s character - a role that Polley wrote specifically for her.
Since her character is one of the women who chooses to “do nothing”, Guloien notes that she doesn’t actually have any lines in the film. Still, since her character is torn between honouring her mother’s desire to stay, and protecting her young daughter - she says the role was a special opportunity since the character is pivotal.
She also says that despite the gravity of the storyline, the experience during filming was remarkable.
"There was just so much humour on the set, and everyone checked egos at the door. It was a masterclass watching everyone work,” she said, noting that a therapist was also on-set to help ensure it was a safe space. “Everyone’s voice was welcome at the table.”
Advice for young actors
When asked about advice to current students or other young actors, Guloien is quick to acknowledge the challenges of breaking into the industry.
“So much of this industry is luck,” she said. “What’s important is to do the best you can with what you can control- which is to work hard.”
“If you’re not currently hired, hire yourself,” she added, noting the importance of creating opportunities and “putting yourself out there”.
“And practice. So, when you do land something, you’re ready.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Guloien’s experience in Women Talking.
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