Joey King talks Borealis, the beauty of Canada, and her upcoming films

Joey King is busy, and she seems to be having a great time of it. In the coming year she has eight upcoming films, and that includes director Sean Garrity’s Borealis, which opens today in Toronto, and also stars Kevin Pollak, Emily Hampshire, and actor-writer Jonas Chernick.

Borealis premiered at the Canadian Film Festival last month, and follows King as Aurora, a teenager who is loosing her vision and stuck with a dead-end father. When Jonah (Chernick), her troubled, gambling-addicted dad discovers just how bad things are for himself and his daughter, they drive across Manitoba on their way to seeing the Northern Lights. But a bookie (Kevin Pollak) is hot on their heels, and hopes to either get his money back, or deal with Jonah in a more unfortunate manner.

Read the interview with King below, where she talks about filming in Canada, working on Borealis, plus a few words about her upcoming projects, including Zach Braff’s Going In Style, and the summer blockbuster, Independence Day: Resurgence, which opens in June.

Borealis opens in Toronto’s Carlton Cinema and Kingsway Cinema today, April 8, followed by Winnipeg’s Grant Park on April 15, and The Mayfair in Ottawa on May 27.

Joey King as Aurora

Andrew Powell: So, how would you describe Aurora?

Joey King: “I think my favourite adjective to describe Aurora is strong. You know, she’s a very, very strong girl who is faced with a lot of things at a very young age. She’s forced to grow up quickly and forced to go through a lot that a girl her age shouldn’t have to. I think that’s my favourite word to describe her.”

Andrew: It’s safe to say, I think to a big degree, that her family situation is the main reason she has to grow up so quickly.

Joey King: “You know, definitely. It’s not only with her condition, but it’s absolutely her family dynamic. Her mom unfortunately has passed away. I feel like she’s felt this responsibility to fill this role and her dad has a gambling problem. She feels almost responsible for that. I feel like she takes a lot of weight for things that she shouldn’t have to.”

Andrew: I think in this day and age maybe a lot of kids could relate to that.

Joey King: “I definitely think it’s safe to say that kids have to grow up faster nowadays with like a lot of parents aren’t together anymore and they have to make it work. It’s hard because you really feel for these kids because you know, they don’t necessarily want to grow up so fast but you also look at them and say, ‘They’re going to be okay.’ Especially good head on their shoulders and a crazy perspective on life already.”

Andrew: What was it that drew you to the role and the film?

Joey King: “Whenever I do something, I always like to do a role that I’ve never done before. Something’s that completely new and is something that I’m almost afraid to take on. I’m definitely challenged with this one. It’s an impeccable script and it’s something that I’ve never really done before. It really also was great when I got offered the role. [Writer and actor] Jonas Chernick and [director] Sean Garrity wrote me this beautiful letter about why they wanted me to be in their film and they were so incredibly kind. It was just the greatest letter ever. It was so sweet. After I read the script and once I read the letter, I was just 100% sold and so excited to do their movie.”

Andrew: What did you think of working with Sean? What was he like as a director?

Joey King: “Sean is amazing. You know, he is so smart and he is so relaxed so when you get on set, even if it’s… I mean, he’s just so great and chill and I’m just amazed by him. It’s such a beautiful film. With such little resources and time, I mean, he just has such a nice vision and such an ease about him. He’s so relaxed and lovely and just an incredible artist.”

Andrew: In terms of the script, did it change at all once you guys were filming?

Joey King: “The script was pretty much down when we started filming. Of course, you throw in a couple of ad libs here and there when you’re on set but really it was just about nailing each and every scene. Jonas was the best scene partner in the world so we had no problem working together.”

Andrew: Canadians are obviously very proud of our country, especially because it’s so beautiful. What did you think of filming here? Have you filmed here before?

Joey King: “I have. I filmed in Calgary and Montreal and Vancouver before I filmed in Manitoba. I love Canada so much. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is so much fun there and everyone’s so nice. It’s just my favorite place.”

Andrew: We’re very proud to hear that. I’ll speak for everyone.

Joey King: “Good because it’s the best.”

Andrew: In terms of actually going out and taking on the character, was there something that you used or that grounded you or brought you into this role? Was there something about her that you focused on when you were getting into the part?

Joey King: “I was really, really excited and scared and really wanting to nail the blindness. I really wanted to get that down. I wanted it to be something that people wouldn’t watch it and be like, ‘She obviously …’ I didn’t want to take them out of the movie. I wanted them to look at us and be like, ‘Oh my God. That girl’s blind.’ So I worked really hard. I met with an eye doctor in Manitoba. I just got a whole new perspective on Aurora’s condition. Because it’s a real condition. I learned so much and I feel like that was what I was so nervous about and that was what I wanted to bring to the table to play with character. I’m really happy with the way that it came out.”

Andrew: You know, it’s frightening to imagine what she’s going through especially at that age. Not even being all that old.

Joey King: “Absolutely. Right.”

Andrew: Did you feel some of that fear when you’re going through a role like this?

Joey King: “When you’re going through a role, you try to … I mean, the best thing I can think of is you try to become that character. You want to become them. You want to be able to emulate everything that you can and you want to be able to be the best you can be for the character. So when you are the character, when you are doing those scenes, you definitely have this sense of fear. You definitely have this sense of hardened fear for your character. Its a really cool feeling. When you have that sense of fear, you know you’re really invested in the character and I’m really invested in Aurora.”

Andrew: That’s awesome. It’s a lovely role. I’ve interviewed Sean before and I’ve interviewed Jonas before as well, so it’s great seeing the talent that they tend to work with. Emily Hampshire as well. You worked with her on this. What did you think of working with Emily?

Joey King: “She’s so great. I love her. It was so exciting working with her because she’s so funny and sweet. Everybody, the entire cast… there’s such a nice energy about everybody. It’s so sweet that you say that about Jonas and Sean working with talented artists. It was great to work with them. They have so much talent in them and they were the best guys on set and I was just so pleased that they wanted me to be in their film.”

Andrew: Well, you know, I was going to ask you about your other projects. You’re incredibly busy. I can’t get over your upcoming projects list. Are there any you can talk about?

Joey King: “I do have Independence Day: Resurgence coming out in June which I am over the moon about. I cannot wait for that to hit theaters. It’s going to be an absolute crazy adventure. Absolutely so insane and so excited.”

“Then next year, even though this is like pretty preemptive to tell you about it. A movie that I did… it got pushed to release next year. It’s called Going In Style directed by Zach Braff staring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin. I’m very excited.”

Andrew: That’s a great cast.

Joey King: “Yeah. It’s amazing. I can’t wait for that to hit theaters.”

Andrew: What was he like to work with because he seems… I’ve interviewed him once but he seems like such a great director.

Joey King: “This is my third time working with Zach. He was so fun. He’s such a great director and he has such a beautiful vision and it’s amazing and I’m so honored to work with people like him.”

Andrew: He’s such a music aficionado. He’s so passionate about music.

Joey King: “He is. I just went and visited the scoring session of Going In Style like a couple of days ago. We had a whole orchestra to ourselves. I got to sit in the room and just hear that and watch him watch them and it was just a beautiful experience.”

Andrew: In terms of Independence Day: Resurgence, obviously that’s a huge deal. Did you rewatch the original a couple of times or…?

Joey King: “Oh I loved that movie already. Seriously. Such a good film. So exciting that I get to say that it’s absolutely surreal. I’m so excited for people to see it. My God. I can’t wait.”

Andrew: Did you get to do any like big explosion scenes? Or any stunts or anything like that?

Joey King: “Well, I can’t tell you too much but I can tell you my character goes through a lot.”

Andrew: I’m sure everyone in that film probably goes through a lot?

Joey King: “Exactly.”

Andrew: I also have to ask about Star Girl and Catherine Hardwicke.

Joey King: “I love her. She’s such a great gal. We have known each other for quite a long time. We haven’t started filming Star Girl yet, but we are excited to work together in any way shape or form. She’s the best.”

Andrew: Well, thank you very much for the time. I really appreciate it. It was a pleasure chatting.

Joey King: “And don’t forget Borealis opens in Toronto this Friday, April 8th at the Carlton and the Kingsway Cinema and we’re going to open all across Canada in the coming weeks. One city at a time. We’re going to open in Winnipeg April 16th and Ottawa on May 27th and we’re going to be announcing our very exciting U.S. festival premiere release but for now it’s a secret. Make sure you watch out for that.”