In the upcoming Western News of the World, out December 25, Civil War veteran Jefferson (Tom Hanks) is tasked with delivering a young girl named Johanna (Helena Zengel) home to her remaining family members. Having been raised in the Kiowa tribe since infancy, she speaks little and has much to learn about the world outside.
The young actress spoke to Screen Rant about what she learned from the Kiowa tribe while preparing for her role, and what advice she got from Tom Hanks.
This must be a difficult role on paper because there's not a lot of communication your character does; a lot of it's through your eyes. Can you talk to me about any kind of training you put yourself through to prepare for this?
Helena Zengel: Yeah, there was a lot of training. There were three weeks; every day, one and a half hours of learning Kiowa. And then also understanding the culture and why she's also not talking, and actually not understanding the English language. It was great. And it was also very funny to play that role, because every day on set - I think I am a loud person, and I'm a person who likes people and being in public and also speaking. So, it was a fun experience to not talk in a movie.
Your character grew up with the Kiowa tribe. What did you learn about their history, and what surprised you the most?
Helena Zengel: I did learn a lot about the history and the culture of the Kiowa while preparing the language also. I learned, for example, that they sit in a circle, and that they really lived, like we would expect, sitting on the fireplace, singing and riding horses every day, not going to school and sleeping in tents. It's really how you see it in movies, which is so interesting.
Also, hearing their story of the time when they lost their country and land, which was very, very interesting and sometimes very sad. I think we should really respect them, because we, as white people, took the land which I think is not that nice. So, it was interesting to hear their story.
They were also on set for a portion of the film. Can you talk to me about working with them and getting to meet tribe members in person?
Helena Zengel: It was really fun and great to meet them, and also to know how they live and to know how they are.
You got to act alongside one of the greatest actors of our generation, Tom Hanks. Is there anything that you learned just by watching him work and seeing his process?
Helena Zengel: Yeah, sure. One important thing is that he really did show me that I should really be kind and nice to everybody. His advice was to show up on time, be kind, and know your lines. Also that you shouldn't care about the time; just do what helps the others to do the role.
Can you talk to me about the collaboration process with Paul Greengrass, he's an amazing director and also adapted the novel into the screenplay. Can you talk to me about working with him and how he helped inform your character?
Helena Zengel: Yeah, he's a very great guy. He's very nice and kind. He's also someone who takes my ideas and puts them into the story and into the scene if I was confident. If I was good, he was good.
Shooting westerns, historically, can be pretty difficult. Can you talk to me about some of the biggest challenges you faced not being able to control the elements and not using a lot of CGI?
Helena Zengel: Well, sure, it was a tough shoot. We had a long shoot; we had tough days and long days, and also very interesting days of learning and acting a lot. That was great. For me, I have to say, it starts to be work if I need to wait. Actually, for me, lots of working is great. I always want to say longer on set, so I think it's just nice being around people.
