Mama – Production Notes - I Watch Mike

found in the woods and returned to civilization. Theirunlikely saviors are their Uncle Lucas and his wildchildgirlfriend, Annabel, who is admittedly unpreparedfor motherhood.The free-spirited Annabel supported her boyfriendduring the years that he spent searching for his missingnieces. After they are found, the bass drummer initiallyresists getting involved with the girls’ caretaking, butultimately she finds solidarity with them.When casting for the part began, actress JessicaChastain had already worked with filmmakers includingTerrence Malick, John Madden and Al Pacino, butfew of her movies had been released and she was stillrelatively unknown. That would all change during 2011,the year her career launched into the stratosphere.Del Toro gives his production executive, RUSSELLACKERMAN, credit for bringing Chastain to hisattention. Needless to say, the executive producerwas blown away with her work. As timing metopportunity, the buzz about Chastain began to buildas her slew of 2011 releases—including The Help, inwhich she gave an Oscar ® -nominated performance—introduced her to audiences worldwide. Del Torocommends: “Our biggest victory in Mama wascasting Jessica Chastain. She has the unique abilityof showing great strength and great vulnerability atthe same time, and the intangible giftof instantly making you care about her.”The director also praises theproduction’s Annabel: “Jessica is abeautiful human being and an amazinglytalented actress. I will be forever gratefulfor how she dug inside herself to give adimension of life and sorrow to Annabelthat I never dreamed of. There wereintense moments where she made hugeemotional investments that you feel onscreen. We were very lucky to have her.”Chastain admits that she looks forprojects that challenge her comfort zone,and when she read Mama, she was immediately hooked.She reflects: “I’m a huge fan of horror films, and Mamais terrifying and unlike anything I’ve ever done before.”She also responded to her character’s deep arc. “I lovethe way Annabel goes from being a reluctant guardianto the girls, to the place where she’d rather die than letharm happen to them.”The performer appreciated that the Muschiettisweren’t aiming for cheap scares with their feature debut.Rather, she knew they were constructing a thriller thatis as much psychological as supernatural. ExplainsChastain: “Mama tries to kill Annabel because Annabelis the rival to the affections of the girls. Mama is perfectlyfine with the girls being in Annabel and Lucas’ house, aslong as they love Mama best. But once the girls discoverthat Annabel is warm, they see there is something theycan get from Annabel that they could never get fromMama. You start to see their alliances shift, and that’swhat causes all hell to break loose in the house.”With the collaboration of wardrobe, hair and makeupdepartments, Andy Muschietti worked with Chastain tocreate Annabel’s signature look: a reluctant hero andraven-haired 30-year-old teenager. Del Toro admits hewas the most surprised when he first saw the charactercome to life. He laughs: “The look of Annabel was verysurprising to me—tattoos, black hair—I would haveLilly colors with Victoria.– 15 –