As casting announcements are continuing to roll out for the upcoming independent film To Avenge, directed and written by Nick Belial, I am thrilled to officially share my interview with the profoundly talented and incredibly articulate Hannah Kleeman, who will be playing the character Taarna in this film. Hannah is proud to call Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home. As a big Eagles fan, she was excited to be at the game for their championship win a couple of weeks ago and thrilled that they came out on top with a victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

She is best known for horror film, Against the Night where she shared the screen with actor Frank Whaley. Against the Night is about a group of friends who enter a spooky, old abandoned prison with less-than-pleasant results.

In To Avenge, Hannah plays Taarna. Her character is enigmatic, to say the least. Taarna has always been the kind who roots for the underdog. She seems to distrust the system in general and despises how victims are often mistreated by the courts. Watching the coverage of the well-publicized “Danvers Rape Case” she sees how a young rape victim is brushed aside and her wealthy attackers go free. Finding that outcome to be outrageous and untenable, Taarna decides to take matters into her own hands.

Taarna doesn’t want to live in a world where men can do something like that– commit such a horrible crime, then walk away with smug looks on their faces, avoiding prosecution because of their wealth and power. She watches and patiently.waits until the.time is right, then begins targeting the men involved– making each pay for their crimes. In Taarna’s mind, the system failed and if they won’t obtain justice– she will.

RH: Hannah, so great to talk with you this evening.

HK: Same here, Ruth, I’m very excited.

So, Hannah, how did you get started in acting?

Well, it’s actually a pretty interesting story. I suppose I was always a theatrical kid if you will, but I didn’t really pursue it to the extent I wanted to or should have. As I grew up, I was more driven towards academia. But I was always interested in acting. As a kid, I did theater camp, but I never went all in full throttle.

Then almost two years ago, I got really interested in doing film, and I submitted for a feature film called Against the Night. It just so happens that I was cast, and then for lack of a better term, the rest is history. I really fell in love with the industry and the process of it.

I also write; I’ve always been a writer. I kind of had pictured myself on the other end of film as opposed to acting. But going into my career, I gave acting a try and loved it. And I do love both sides of it. I still do write; I’m working on a couple of things. But for me, acting has been almost this chance career that I’ve stumbled into.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Philadelphia, in Fairmount. I spent my whole life in Philadelphia. I did live in New York for one year, but otherwise, I’ve been in Philly.

Since you said you grew up with an interest in theater, did you go and see a lot of live theater?

Yes, my grandmother, before she passed, she loved theater. She took me to New York to see Lion King on Broadway when I was six. And I fell in love with the atmosphere of it. I love shows. I go with my family and friends when I can. My brother has been pursuing theater his whole life, and I guess he was like the motivator for me to finally pursue it. If my little brother can do this, I can do it as well.

I am a musical lover, and I can say that it was going to see Phantom on Broadway that changed things for me. I was a music teacher, and now I’ve come back to writing. I have an incredible love and respect for the industry.

I love the fact that this industry is so expressive. I don’t like to call it escapism necessarily because I think it’s all related to the life you lead. So I guess you can call it escapism, but it’s all very relevant because of the experiences you’ve had and how it touches you. I love that you can have one show, film, or play, and it can touch so many different people in so many different ways. It can be meaningful to everyone.

Before you pursued an acting career, what career path were you following?

Actually, I was working a full-time marketing job. I was doing a bit of copywriting, graphic design and marketing for a real estate firm. I actually left that job to be able to fully pursue my acting career. For a while, I was trying to do both, and it’s hard to manage two careers at once. I finally reached a tipping point where I had to choose. And I chose acting.

I understand how that goes. I used to do a lot of writing on my blog that was more like advertising, but I got really tired of it. You can only do it so long if it’s not something that you love.

Actually, that’s how I kind of fell into advertising. My passion was writing, and I found that advertising was a lucrative, economical way to write, even it wasn’t the kind of writing I wanted to be doing.

You mentioned Against the Night was the first thing you were cast in. 

Well, I did a few other smaller projects, but Against the Night was the first project I was cast in where it was not a favor to a friend or just for fun. This is where I decided I actually wanted to pursue acting as a career. For me, there is a drop-off point between it being a hobby and a pursuit.

I think most actors begin that way to a degree. Many actors start out in student films and other little independent projects here and there that don’t really go anywhere. 

I have done some student film, and I think it’s interesting. Some of my favorite productions that I’ve worked on have been graduate student films.  I think I enjoy those projects so much because the people involved have the passion for doing the project, and it’s more than just, “I need a grade.” Graduate student projects are usually about film festival submissions and things of that nature. It’s like you have this undiluted passion that comes through in graduate students pursuing their projects or something they wrote and fell in love with. That is actually my favorite thing about acting as a whole. I think it comes from my writing. You’re helping someone bring to life something that means something to them. You know your crew is passionate about what they’re doing, and that makes it easy for an actor to be passionate.

I can see that because I know that sometimes student films get a bad rap. And even independent films can get a bad rap. Sometimes people think the filmmakers went the route of indie films because they couldn’t get a studio interested in it, or for whatever reason, they just did it that way. 

Well, as I’ve discovered in my experience, sometimes it’s better. You don’t have to adhere to studio standards. There are so many independent films and graduate student films that get picked up later in distribution. Some of the best independent film writers are of that caliber.

I am in full agreement with you, Hannah. I am a huge supporter of independent films. 

from Against the Night premiere

I think that the term “indie film” is almost like a misnomer. Independent films can get distribution even if they’re not attached to a studio or have that kind of backing. I feel like it’s a misunderstood category. So often people look at these films as subpar or “B-list” or even “D-list.” I think Gone Girl was technically an independent film, but look at the success that film has had. Lots of independent films are just like that. They start out as an indie film and then either a studio picks them up or they get a distribution deal.

Some of these films even get a cult following. Think about the films that have a cult following like Star Wars. Cult followings tend to tap into a niche market, and they’re often independent. Like Wet Hot American Summer is a Netflix reboot. That’s all independent. That’s often where you get your celebrities and your studio execs and all that. In fact, it’s a trickle-down effect. Instead of studios influencing independent films, it’s independent films that are influencing what studios want.

Hannah, that is an amazing statement, and oh so true. I’ve never heard it put quite that way before. That’s very insightful. 

Thank you.

Now let’s talk about Against the Night. 

It is an independent film that Brian Cavallaro directed and shot. It’s been picked up by Gravitas Ventures for distribution. We had a theatrical release in ten cities, a premiere in Philly, and it should be coming to VOD in March.

Wow, that’s awesome! So what can you tell us about your character and the storyline?

Against the Night

It’s about nine friends, post-collegiate, who get together, and one of their friends is an independent filmmaker. He makes his money shooting horror films and ghost-hunting videos. He convinces his friends to go to Holmesburg Prison, an abandoned prison, which is an actual prison in Northeast Philadelphia, where we shot on location…it was a little scary because we were actually shooting at night. It’s scary being in a prison at night. So he and his friends go and shoot a ghost-hunting video, and things go awry. I play the character Rachel. When the movie starts out, she just bought or rented a new apartment, and everyone’s at her house celebrating her new home. Her ex-fling–her love interest, if you will–is also there. It’s kind of a new look into the somewhat typical bunch of young adults doing things they shouldn’t do. In fact, if these young adults had watched a couple of horror films, they wouldn’t be doing this! {laughs} But I loved the movie because it’s a very “aware of itself” film. You knew it had tropes, but it used the tropes to its advantage as opposed to trying to shy away from them.

Hannah, I can certainly tell that you have marketing experience, and I don’t say that in a bad way. Sometimes, actors, especially young ones, don’t quite understand how to market themselves. But you are well-spoken and are doing an incredible job of genuinely marketing yourself in the best way possible. 

Thank you, Ruth. I was a little bit nervous at first, but you’re very easy to talk to, and I’m just so excited to talk about my career and all the wonderful things that are happening. I realize I’ve accomplished a lot, and not to sound arrogant or anything, but I am proud of what I’ve done and where I am now.

And you certainly should be, Hannah. You’ve done very well for yourself. So how did you get involved with the film To Avenge?

I saw a casting call online, and I just did a submission to Nick Belial, the director. He reached back out to me, and I remember the first time we spoke, we spent three hours on the phone prior to any audition. We spent the time talking, and he was telling me about the project. I really fell in love with the story and the concept of it. And I fell in love with his passion for it too. Nothing gets me more excited about a project than a writer/director that’s excited about the project.

What was the casting process like?

It’s hard to say as that can be somewhat subjective. I am early in my career, and the timing of the process is going to seem different to me than someone who has more experience. For me, the process and the waiting seemed like a whole lifetime.

Have you personally met Nick? I know that sometimes actors don’t actually meet others involved in the project until it starts filming.

Yes, I have met him. We had already talked on the phone as I mentioned, and we had good chemistry speaking there. But meeting him in person, spending time with him talking about the project in person, and getting to know him in person…he’s very easy to get along with and very personable. And he puts you at ease. I didn’t feel like I was at an audition or an interview or anything like that. I felt like I was talking with someone about what they were passionate about, and I was asking to be a part of what they were passionate about.

What attracted you to the character of Taarna?

Well, that’s when things get a little funny cute, if you know what I mean. My favorite TV show of all time, as unconventional or weird as it may seem, is Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. One of the reasons is an emotional connection. I watched it with my mom–my parents are divorced. I lived with my dad when I was growing up, and every week, I watched that show with my mom. It was kind of our thing. Also, it’s a nineties show with a bit of comedy and drama and all about monsters…kind of a monster of the week show. But as I was growing up and especially being a young girl, having this character who was strong and kicked ass and killed demons and saved her friends, but also got upset about boys and was stressed about school and fought with her parents…she was this great role model, I suppose, of being strong but also being feminine and being a kid. And it just really hit me.

In my opinion, this character, Taarna, is very similar to that character. And from all my discussions with Nick, he would definitely agree.  I want Taarna to not just be a character, but an actual person.
She’s physically, mentally, and emotionally strong. But she’s still playful. She’s a person and not a hero or an idea. She’s a real human with real emotions and strength, but not negating the humanity of it. I fell in love with her because I get to play my role model.

When playing Taarna, what are you looking forward to most in bringing this character to life?

The fun of it. The story is she is seeking out and avenging what has happened to Vera. But she has fun with it, and she kind of enjoys it. Maybe she’s even a little bit sadistic. But her energy is something I’m excited to bring out in her. I’ve done some drama, and I’ve played the scared person in a horror film. I’ve played someone who is upset. I’ve done comedies and drama. But this is the first role I’ve had where I get to be the one who is calling the shots. Instead of just reacting, I am acting. It’s a really new role for me, and I’m excited to get to explore it.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to be a part of all the projects I have done so far. I don’t mind playing the traditional roles, and I’ve done a lot of those. But to be the one in charge–I like that. And I can hardly wait to get started on this film. I’m excited to speak a truth from the other side of it. I know anytime you make a film, we’re always telling a real story and making our own truth. But this one will be different. Most of my characters are based on what others do to the character I’m playing. But this time, the tables are turned, and I am looking forward to getting started on it!

I like the fact that Taarna is not the typical woman you see in most films. While things are changing, we still see too many women who are not strong and who let the man be the one in the lead. 

Exactly. I think we have a long way to go, but I love seeing women in empowering roles. I’m looking forward to portraying a stronger, meatier character, a character that is not based on others. But it’s also good for other filmmakers to see that you can do a film like that. And it’s good for people who watch the film. Entertainment is such a ubiquitous entity in culture. And if affects everyone. Whether you say you’re a movie buff or not or whether you like them or not, it still affects all culture.

This is also a timely movie. I realize Nick was working on it long before the Me Too movement happened, but now it’s the perfect time to be talking about this kind of movie. So are you hoping that this movie will impact the Me Too movement in some positive way?

Nick and I have had some of the same conversations about this movie. I know he wrote this before the movement came about, but really, it’s hard to think about “before.” We know this has always been an issue. but now it’s been so publicly addressed.

The way I feel about this film is that it is not necessarily a political statement. I think it’s about wrongdoings in general, specifically against women and the way society treats it as a whole. I think it’s more coincidental chance that the movie is coming out with everything that’s going on right now. Just look at the Brock Turner case, for example. It’s a very similar thing. Regardless of where you stand on his guilt or not or how you feel about what happened, it’s very similar to this story. I think it is far too often that men get away with bad treatment of women because of their political economics or whatever. I don’t see this issue as being one that is intentionally addressed in the given climate, and unfortunately, it is something that has kind of been the way it is since the dawn of time. And it shouldn’t be. I think this film is quite apropos. But it’s not a political movie. It’s about Vera and how a woman individually–regardless of politics and social issues–how she copes with this tragedy. I feel it’s really important that women are finally being vocal about these issues.

One thing to remember is to not sit there and watch the film and think, “I’d never do what this woman is doing.” It’s not about what you are doing as an individual; it’s about the fact that women are experiencing these kinds of situations. And sometimes if we’re not careful, it becomes more about politicizing it rather than being about the issue itself. You lose sight of the tragedy and the effects on the individual.

And most importantly, it puts a face to the movement. We can easily get jaded when we hear all the stuff in the news. We get tired of it, and it no longer affects us. A story like this makes it real and personal rather than just hearing about nameless individuals that we don’t know.

Yes, and that’s what’s important about any movement, any social movement. It shows you how pervasive a problem can be. This whole “not my problem” “not in my backyard” idea makes it seem not real. But when you realize just how widespread it is, you realize it’s in everyone’s backyard, whether you realize it or not.

I think that one of the reasons that this movie can showcase this–how people cope and how it could be anyone–is that we have two separate stories going on simultaneously. You have Vera, but it’s not Vera taking action. It’s not that something bad happened to Vera, and it changed her into someone like Batman. You’re still seeing Vera as the victim coping with her everyday life. And then you have a separate story. It’s not this idea that tragedy will make you stronger and give you the power to overcome any obstacle because the power to overcome any obstacle is purely in overcoming it emotionally. And that’s what this is about.

You know, I was already excited about the film, Hannah, but after talking to you, I’m even more excited. I can see why Nick has chosen you to play the Taarna character. I think the actress who will be chosen to play Vera will have such diverse experience and strengths to you, and you both are going to complement each other really well. And I believe the chemistry on and off the screen is going to be amazing. At least, in my opinion.

Thank you, I think so too. There is so much in this movie. I’ve talked with Nick about the characters, and for both the actress playing Vera and me, he doesn’t want to dictate how he needs us to act. He wants us to portray the characters in a real way, and to me, that’s what good acting is. I think good acting is being able to portray a truth.

Hannah, you may not have been acting long, but you have great insight into acting that more seasoned actors sometimes don’t even understand. Some actors really don’t have the depth of understanding that you do, at least, from those I’ve talked with over the past few years. And you have an energy that really translates well through the phone, and I’m sure it will on screen too. I would say Nick has done an excellent job with the casting.

Not to sound cliché, but I agree with you. Thanks.

Now you mentioned that you are still doing some writing. Can you tell us about what you’re working on?

I’ve written a lot of short stories, and right now, I’m trying to translate them into scripts. And oh my gosh, it is difficult to translate a short story to a script. The hardest thing about it is exposition. A story in the written word needs an exposition that’s not tedious. But then exposition in dialogue can be terrible. You have to figure out how to get the same things across. But of course, there’s awesome things about it too. Imagery is taken care of inherently. So I’m discovering that it’s a weird transition going from story to screenplay.

Hannah, I just love getting to highlight working actors like you. Celebrities are great, don’t get me wrong, but–

Celebrities are still humans who took their lumps and they got lucky. Most celebrities have worked very hard to get where they are. But it’s a lot of luck too. Just like these indie films that get picked up by studios. Sometimes it’s meeting the right casting director at the right time. And there’s really no difference between the celebrity and the non-celebrity when it comes to acting other than right place, right time.

You truly are awesome, Hannah, and I want to thank you for sharing so much of you and your perspective with us. You are truly an eloquent lady, and I can hardly wait to see you as Taarna.

Thank you so much, Ruth, I appreciate you taking the time. I am very blessed to be where I am now, and I can hardly wait till we start filming.

It wasn’t long into my conversation with Hannah that I discovered what an absolute diamond she is as an actress and as a person. She recognizes the fact that she is reaping the benefits of a strong work ethic in addition to her immense talent, and she also accepts the fact that each of her successes has been about serendipity in addition to that hard work and time she has invested. While she has not been a professional actress for too long, her background (including her marketing experience) has prepared her for the moment where we find her now. She is pragmatic, consistent, and persistent. And more than anything, she is amenable to taking risks and attempting new things, and if she is not triumphant, her strong ambition and readiness to overcome obstacles is going to eventually get her to where she wants to be. 

I also discerned that she and the actress playing Vera are a casting director’s dream. I’m sure that Nick invested much time in attempting to determine the best females to cast as his leads, but no matter what level casting occurs, there’s always a degree of chance and risk involved. To find two actresses whose strengths absolutely complement each other is a rare occurrence in Hollywood, and the fact that these two have been chosen delights me to no end! I am sure Nick is counting his blessings in relation to this powerhouse acting team, and I can hardly wait to see how it translates to the screen!

While we await more casting announcements and the actual shooting of this film, I would invite everyone to follow Hannah at all the links below and keep an eye open for her film Against the Night that is scheduled to be released next month. While the story Nick has penned is quite timely, the actress he has chosen to represent the “avenger” in this film is a woman who will not sit idly by and let things happen to her. On the contrary, Hannah is a woman of action who will go out and make her dreams come true, and when they do, she will not soon forget the lessons she has learned nor the people who have aided her in her endeavors. She is one who will act with integrity, sensitivity, but above all, with unfathomable gratitude, and I can hardly wait to witness her epic portrayal of Taarna!

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