Nia DaCosta’s Fresh Take on Ibsen’s ‘Hedda’: Adding a New Twist to a Classic Play
Nia DaCosta Reshapes Ibsen’s Classic with ‘Hedda’
Filmmaker Nia DaCosta has reimagined Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play Hedda Gabler into a striking cinematic experience, simply titled Hedda. Set in 1950s England, the film stars Tessa Thompson as the titular character, a complex figure determined to bolster her academic husband’s career, even at the cost of betraying her former lover, Eileen, portrayed by Nina Hoss.
"This version of Hedda Gabler is the one I’ve longed to see," announced a representative from Deadline during an interview. DaCosta responded to these sentiments by revealing how deeply immersed she became in her character. “The first two weeks of filming, Tessa didn’t have a day off. We were living in cottages next to each other, but I wouldn’t see her outside shooting. It wasn’t until week three that I realized how tense Hedda made me," DaCosta noted, reflecting on her experience of working closely with Thompson.
The director expressed her enthusiasm for the possibility that this adaptation could resonate with a new generation of theater-goers. "I would love that!" DaCosta exclaimed when asked if she hoped this film would become a staple for drama students.
DaCosta’s creative approach to Hedda originated from a disconnect she felt between the original text and its various stage interpretations. “When I read Ibsen’s plays, particularly A Doll’s House, I was struck by the audacity of the female characters,” she explained. “In Hedda Gabler, I was captivated by the complications of the title character, who remains one of the most provocative figures in literature.” She wanted to capture the complexities, humor, and darker themes embedded within the play.
One notable shift in DaCosta’s adaptation is the gender of Hedda’s former lover, Eilert Løvborg, reimagined as Eileen Lovborg. DaCosta stated, “If this character were a woman, you’d truly understand the soul suffering of being brilliant and being ignored,” further emphasizing her desire to explore themes of gender and societal expectations.
Reflecting on a particularly pivotal scene where Eileen enters a room full of men, DaCosta aimed to highlight her character’s boldness. “I wanted to depict why what she was doing was so risky,” she noted. The scene showcases Eileen’s charm and subtle power, blending both vulnerability and strength.
The casting of Nina Hoss emerged naturally as DaCosta crafted the script. “I didn’t write the roles with anyone specific in mind, except for Tessa," she admitted. The multiracial background of Hedda is another layer DaCosta added, “I tend to put Black women into roles I find compelling,” she said.
Commenting on the film’s aesthetic, DaCosta and her production team sought inspiration from classic Hollywood, contemplating figures like Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis. “We wanted to create a modern representation while still acknowledging the artifice of the time,” she explained.
DaCosta drew a parallel between her vision of Hedda and classic films. “When I rewatched Barry Lyndon, I recognized its influence on my filmmaking—particularly how it approached humor and natural beauty,” she said, noting the striking visual elements, including a grand chandelier reminiscent of Phantom of the Opera.
In reflecting on the nature of classical theater, DaCosta concluded, “These plays are meant to be torn apart and put back together. They should resonate with contemporary audiences, regardless of the time.”
As Hedda approaches its release, the anticipation grows to see how DaCosta’s reimagined vision will challenge and inspire audiences.
