Agyness Deyn Quits Modeling, Believes Love Will Conquer All
Agyness Deyn defined early aughts cool, with edgy campaigns, punky hair, and her own tough-girl-turned-elven persona and becoming one of the first supermodels of the 21st century. But it's been 12 years, and Deyn, known for her ever-changing chameleon looks and pushing the boundaries, has gotten a bit bored with catwalks and editorials. Having pioneered the new model/street-style star/blogger-bait persona, Deyn has decided to leave modeling behind and head to the big screen with a starring role in Pusher (opening October 26 and currently On Demand).
A remake of the 1996 cult movie directed by Drive's Nicolas Winding Refn, the new version pays homage to the gritty Danish original; in fact, Refn served as the new film's executive producer and blessed director Luis Prieto's re-interpretation. Like the original, the story is centered on a drug deal gone horribly wrong. Deyn plays Flo, the bystander girlfriend of Frank (played by Richard Coyle), who desperately loves her man even though he consistently puts business first.
For her first major role, Deyn is absolutely captivating. Her Northern English purr and long, slender features steal nearly every scene she is in, and part of the film's tragedy is that Frank doesn't appreciate Flo the way the audience does. The survival driven, tough-but-delicate character feels similar to the persona Deyn has projected — a parallel she, herself, has noticed.
Did you watch the original movie before playing your part?
"Luis (Prieto) didn't want us to watch the original movie because he didn't want us to imitate someone else's performance, so I didn't. Have you?"
A long time ago, but your character in this version is much more empowered and sympathetic than the original. In the other one, you don't get the feeling that Frank loves his girlfriend. Do you think Frank loves Flo?
"I really think there was something there, between them. I suppose you don't stay in a relationship for nothing, whether it is good or bad. You are in it for a reason, and I really feel like whether it is conscious or subconscious, there is a pull they have on each other. She is really in love with him, and he makes her feel safe, and she makes him feel safe. She is a haven for him."
Photo: Courtesy of Radius
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