Leanna Walsman  was last seen as the intergalactic bounty hunter  Zam  in the ultra-budgeted “Star Wars Episode II : Attack of the Clones”. Now, she’s done a total 360, starring in the low-budget Australian film “One Perfect Day” and playing a character as far from George Lucas’s space serial as you could possibly get – the troubled, but passionate Alysse. Clint Morris finds out which planet she’d rather be on.


How’s it feel to have the movie coming out?

Quite surreal. When we were making it we never anticipated it to make it to the big screen, it was more about the actors making it. Every stage we hit was a bit of a celebration. It’s kind of amazing that it’s finished and people are liking it and reacting to it.

I imagine this would’ve a completely different experience to make than Star Wars?

I was in Star Wars for about 5 minutes…but absolutely, structure, the type of filmmaking, the pace, the grandeur. And the bigger the budget, the better the food!

So do you prefer to work on smaller projects?

There’s something about working on something smaller that requires more emotional input, it pushes your further. I’d rather work on a project that pushes you as an actor or a person more so than being on screen for two seconds and then disappearing. I mean, they’ve both got their good points, I had a lot of fun on Star Wars and I met some great people – It was a big party! – But there’s something to be said about working on a project where you know everyone involved.

I’ve talked to a few Australian actors who don’t sound like they had the best time on Star Wars. You obviously did, so that’s rare

I had a fantastic time. They actually kept every scene I did too. I got along really well with Hayden [Christensen] and the guy that does the stunts, Nick Gillard, and we’ve become really good friends.

No Episode III though?

No [Laughs] I’m dead. Funny that.

So what drew you to One Perfect Day?

The idea that we were going to do something a bit different. It was kind of like a chaotic experiment, and I also wanted to get out of Sydney, being from there. I thought I’d also be representing young people in what’s not your normal coming of age story – it’s a bit dark and dirty. I knew I’d get to do a few things that were a bit different, and I know I’m not your conventional leading lady, not that the movie presents that either, but all those elements combined just hooked me.

How did you Psyche yourself up for the role?

I left that to the whole make up of the movie itself. From the very beginning, Paul [Currie] put Dan [Spielman] and I together and said this is going to happen. We just connected. I really invested everything into my relationship with Dan, and I think it pays off.

There’s some definite chemistry there

A lot of leading ladies fall for their leading man, but it was always platonic with us, which I think worked better. Instead of concentrating on this physical thing or the lust, it was always more about the mind.

Tell us about the sex scene

We actually had jeans on! We never knew at the time that it would look like we were having sex. It was just the idea of us coming together. On Screen, because it was shot from the top up, it looks like we’re in the middle of it all. It works because during the making of it we weren’t focusing on moaning or groaning or pretending to have orgasms – it was all about eye contact and simply how incredible a kiss can be.

It almost looks like you’re singing in the movie

I sang in the takes, but I didn’t make the final cut. They’d always planned to get someone else though. I had to have lip-syncing down though, so I worked closely with the girl whose voice it was.

What have you been up to since the movie wrapped?

A few things – I actually went travelling, I went to Spain, Morocco, a few places. I also did a telemovie called Jessica, which is based on Bryce Courtney’s novel. It’s a 2-parter, with Tony Martin and Sam Neill, and I play Jessica. It’ll air in the next couple of months.

Have you had anything to do with the DVD yet?

They did a heap of interviews, but that was so long ago, I don’t even remember what I said. They were always filming something there on the set.

Would you be attracted to another big project again – like Star Wars?

Not at the moment. I think Australians need to get out and make their own stuff. It’s really difficult to do that though, I know. I don’t think people know how hard it is to make a film. One Perfect Day is about as different as you can get and the way they financed the film was against all rules. People forget that it’s a business and lots of investors and private and they’re going into it to make money. They want to make it back. They’ve got to be guaranteed something. It’s hard to make special stories without giving in to all those things that others perceive would sell – sex, violence, nudity. I’ve read a few things that are amazing and they’re struggling to get financed. Instead, we make all these Aussie comedies – and I know there’s been some good ones – but need to stop playing with that Aussie stereotype. We’ve got a lot of really amazing stories out there to tell and we are really international, we don’t need to betray ourselves in that kind of light.

So you think One Perfect Day is a step in the right direction?

Even with all its flaws, yeah, it’s still something special. It has some really honest moments in it from the actors.

How did you think it’ll go though?

I really don’t know. The mood seems to be positive but I’ve only been interacting with a lot of media and journalists who are going to be like that, of course, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see the overall reaction. There’s something really unique about this film – it’s a movie for young people that doesn’t feel the need to preach. The rave scene has always been condemned because it’s only been associated with tragedy and a negative state of mind, but from this movie, hopefully people will realise it’s also a place where kids go for a release. It’s about belonging – finding a place where you can create and nurture that.

Was it ever your scene?

Of course when I was younger I’d go to one or two parties, but in a different form. Different music. I don’t miss coming home at 6 o’clock in the morning [Laughs]. These days, the Pub and some good friends are good enough for me.



PAUL FISCHER