From Spring Issue 57
Glass speaks to up-and-coming British actor Freya Allan on her new role in Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes that puts modern humanity in a whole new light
At the tender age of 22, Freya Allan is already on the path to becoming a household name in cinema. Transitioning from Netflix onto the big screen is no easy step for an actor.
Yet she’s jumped from fantasy drama The Witcher next to Henry Cavill to co-starring in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the latest addition to the Planet of the Apes franchise, where she takes on the human role of Nova. Defining a new future for apes and humans like never before, the highly anticipated film has been directed by Wes Ball and also stars Owen Teague and Kevin Durand.
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
Ball revitalises the storyline, set many generations beyond Caesar’s era, the original ape. In the revival, apes reign supreme in harmony while humans dwell in obscurity. Amid the rise of a tyrannical ape leader and the burgeoning of his empire, a young ape, Noa, played by Owen Teague, embarks on a perilous odyssey. This journey prompts him to challenge the foundations of his understanding of history, leading him to make pivotal decisions that will shape the destiny of both apes and humans.
As Nova, Allan takes on the mantle of becoming the audience’s eyes into a romanticised post-climate change future. The experience of playing the other side of a power-play was no easy task. The majority of the cast had undergone ‘ape school’, so finding common ground with her castmates was one of the first challenges that Allan encountered while stepping into this, the fourth instalment of the franchise.
“I remember entering a dungeon where they were, like, doing this ape school, and just hearing all these ape noises,” the young actress recalls. “I think they were two weeks into the process or something. Then, on the second day, I went in and spent time with them because they kind of just wanted to make me feel included, even though I didn’t have physical stuff to prepare. But it was very, very different. I had a lot of scenes on my own where I had to speak to physical air because they weren’t in the scene.”
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
For Allan, the film echoes many of the trials and tribulations that we face as a society. People perceive action-adventure films as mere entertainment but they’re not, she says.
“What’s interesting about these films is that they remind you that the more a species progresses, the more dangerous it becomes. You see this world at the start of the film and it’s lush, it’s green and it’s so much healthier than it is with us people rolling in. I think naturally everyone’s got to be on the ape side because the world looks so much better with them in charge. However, you get a glimpse into the fact that the minute a species has enough intelligence, knowledge of its history and the potential of what that can lead to, it can very much lead to the same mistakes being repeated.”
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
To further her emphasis on evolution, Allan is very adamant that our reality is linked to our growth. “I read something, and I never finished this book, but it’s called Sapiens. And it’s literally about the progression of humans. It said that we developed too quickly. And that’s probably a large reason as to why we are erratic. I feel like the apes in the film [are] symbolic of the issues that we have within. There’s this constant feeling of having to choose sides and realising that there just isn’t a clear right or wrong. It’s dependant on the individuals,” she explains further.
How do we find empathy for humanity within that context? “It does provide the audience with such a conflict because there isn’t an easy, straightforward answer to that,” Allan ponders. “You know, because with the apes you have varied intentions. And like I say, there’s the danger of curiosity and the danger of the increase in intelligence and consciousness. But then, that’s why I feel very lucky to play Nova because she is the looking glass for the humans, which is going to be all of the audience. So I am their insight. I’m there. I’m their eyes.”
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
In a society that’s constructed on destruction and polarity, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes will be shifting perspectives: “I think that allows for a kind of conflict within the audience. Who are you backing? And I think that will shift throughout the film. It’s not straightforward or clear who’s in the right or who’s in the wrong. Everyone wants their people to survive and to thrive. And I think that there’s empathy that you can have for both the apes and the humans.”
On a roll, she continues. “Even in the ape world, you’ve got apes that are cruel and power-hungry. Then there are the ones who embody love and are family-orientated, nurturing and respectful of culture. And then you get the human perspective, which is initially viewing them as just one thing. Vice-versa with the apes and the humans as well. And I think it’s an interesting reminder of segregation and also reflective of historical moments.”
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
And just to knock it out of the park, Allan adds in a manner that is reflective of both her awareness and her stance. “There’s a stupidity to our intelligence I’d say as a theme.” Repeating patterns of violence on a global scale and generally never quite learning from our own mistakes is why a film like Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is not only timely but necessary, she continues.
“Humanity as a whole is just really rubbish. Have you seen how horrible people are out there? Pure evil. It makes you question how we’ve reached this point. Because we’ve always been like this. There are some beautiful moments where you see people gather together for one cause and it does give you faith. But when you see the other end of the spectrum, it does make you just detest it.”
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
It is difficult in times of destruction to find positivity, but that is when we need to fight for beauty and positivity, a time to move from individuality to collective wellness, a time to reimagine what it means to be human, Allan concludes.
“To be human is to look beyond everything that you’ve known or been told. And to be intelligent. People can be so close-minded. Just let the consideration for things run through your brain cells and process it. Unfortunately, some people have so much of a block that they can’t do that. But that’s what I would love to see. And I think that’s where humanity is.”
by Adina Ilie
Photographer: Tom J. Johnson
Stylist: Lyla Cheng
Makeup Francesca Brazzo
Hair: Patrick Wilson using KERASTASE
Photography assistant: Gil Warner
Styling assistants: Marilena Angelides and Amelia Connolly
Talent: Freya Allan
Look 1: Top FENDI, Earrings MOSCHINO, Trousers, shoes LOUIS VUITTON
Look 2: Top TOVE, Skirt 16ARLINGTON, Shoes GIVENCHY
Look 3: All clothing and accessories PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI
Look 4: Jeans MOSCHINO, Waistcoat TOD’S, Heels FENDI
Look 5: Top MARK FAST, Shorts FERRAGAMO
Look 6: Coat MCM