‘Animation is free’ – Charlene McKenna excited about new film based on Roddy Doyle novel

Actress Charlene McKenna said she was “very free” to take on an animator role in her latest project because she didn’t have to worry about hair and makeup.

Choreographed and directed by Italy’s Enzo d’Alo, she will star in A Greyhound of a Girl will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, which begins on February 16.

Based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Roddy Doyle, the film tells the story of a young girl named Mary (12 years old) who has a passion for cooking and is also trying to deal with the truth. that her grandmother is dying.

“I loved it. My dream was to make an animated movie and make an animated movie about Roddy Doyle. I couldn’t believe it,” McKenna said.

“I auditioned for it in a parking lot on our little Mini in New York with no signal and the line kept dropping so I couldn’t hear the notes.

“Enzo is very Italian and he took notes for me – there were a lot of recipes in the book and I was like, ‘Oh my God, why is this happening?’. But somehow I got the job, piecing their notes together.

“It was a dream – you could be that great, you could go crazy with your voice. No hair or makeup. And then you see what they explained as you [get] into the character. You say, ‘She has lovely little freckles and her hair is much thicker than mine.’ That’s a great way to go. Not having to worry about spotting or losing sleep the night before, that’s great.”

McKenna said the animated film was shot a few years ago and she is happy it finally has a release date after being selected to air at the prestigious Berlin film festival.
this month.

“I cannot wait. We did this many years ago. The animation took a lot of time anyway and then with Covid it was even more retarded. And then I was afraid it might sink so when we found out it was picked up in Berlin it was a big coup,” she said.

“Again, it’s an Irish story, everything Irish and in the international market. So yeah, it’s going to Berlin and hopefully it’ll do well and we’ll get it out there.”

It stars Mia O’Connor, Rosaleen Linehan and Sharon Horgan, while Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson plays Paddy.

Regarding Ireland’s recent flurry of award nominations, McKenna said they were “delighted” and that it had given impetus to the industry as a whole. She worked with Oscar nominee Paul Mescal on The The great Gatsby at the Gate Theater in 2017, and said she’s thrilled for him and all those hoping to receive the award. “No matter what happens, on that scale, the nomination alone has enormous value. But the wins will be great,” added McKenna.

“We always have a lot of talent. But it got out there, got the job, and now it looks like the work is coming here thanks to the tax breaks and other things.

“We have an international cast and crew. So it just validates what I always thought we had.

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