Florence Pugh Says Her Role in 'East of Eden' Will Be Remembered Throughout Her Career
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- Florence Pugh mengaku perannya sebagai Cathy Ames dalam serial Netflix 'East of Eden' adalah salah satu yang paling berkesan dalam kariernya.
- Aktris 30 tahun itu memuji tantangan memerankan karakter yang menua lintas dekade dan memuji kolaborasinya dengan sutradara Zoe Kazan.
- Pugh juga mengungkap pengalaman depresi usai syuting 'Midsommar', yang membuatnya lebih selektif dalam memilih peran.
Florence Pugh has affirmed that her role in Netflix's latest series, East of Eden, will be one of the milestones she will always remember throughout her acting career. The 30-year-old actress plays Cathy Ames in the adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel directed by Zoe Kazan, and admitted that the biggest challenge was bringing to life a character who ages over several decades.
In an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Pugh revealed that the process of delving into Cathy gave her a satisfaction of its own. "Because I'm playing a character who spans several decades, the joy for me was understanding her as she ages. It was amazing and I really enjoyed it. Creating this series was a dream, and I will talk about it for the rest of my career," she said, as quoted from the show.
The series is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 1. Pugh called her character "epic in every way" and praised the experience of working with Kazan. "It was the most incredible journey working with Zoe. So special, like releasing our own baby. I'm very protective and truly enthusiastic," she added.
Behind the spotlight on her new role, Pugh also opened up about a bitter memory from starring in Ari Aster's film Midsommar (2019). She admitted to experiencing depression for six months after filming wrapped. "I felt sad for six months afterward and didn't know why I was depressed. I only realized it when I went home for Christmas, oh this might be because of Midsommar, and I didn't handle it well," she said on the Louis Theroux podcast.
Pugh explained that at the time she forced herself to express pain deeply in order to prove her acting ability. "It wasn't just crying. I needed to sound like I was suffering. I had never done anything like that before and I thought this was my chance. I basically took myself to hell. But I won't do it again. It really messed me up," she recalled.
"I will talk about this role for the rest of my career." — Florence Pugh
That experience made Pugh more careful in choosing roles and protecting her mental health. She is now known as one of the young actresses who is vocal about the importance of balance between artistic demands and psychological well-being.
For Indonesia's entertainment industry, Pugh's story is a mirror showing that psychological pressure in the acting world is no trivial matter. Intensive acting methods often leave long-term effects, and awareness of the importance of mental health support in film and series production environments is increasingly coming to the fore. This aligns with growing public attention in the country to mental health issues, especially among creative workers.
The presence of East of Eden on Netflix also has the potential to broaden appreciation for classic literature among younger viewers, including in Indonesia. This adaptation of Steinbeck's novel could serve as a gateway for a new generation to explore great literary works that are relevant to issues of family, ambition, and morality.
With the release schedule already announced, will East of Eden become a global phenomenon like Midsommar, or will it instead be a stepping stone for Pugh to win a prestigious award? The public is waiting to see how the chemistry between Pugh and Kazan produces an unforgettable masterpiece.
