She is an actress known for ex machina 2014 la la land 2016 and maniac 2018. One of the flagship series for the new FX on Hulu co-branding effort, Devs is also writer/director Alex Garland's first foray into television. I had read a recent profile of Writer-Director Alex Garland, responsible for Ex Machina.He seemed an interesting guy to interview. The same bravado seems to apply to her sense of style: She showed up to our interview with a pixie cut, explaining that she “just went into a London barber shop” and asked for the chop because she “figured they know how to do short hair.”. That was me. I had to get on a flight with a resignation email ready to send, send it, and then turn my phone off [and just be gone with no possibility of coming back]. I felt like that was her energy, and lots of sunshine and flowers. A former ballet dancer, she said still knows the choreography and guesses that Isaac does, too. The tone of the film, it was very progressive — not every film is like that. They first collaborated on 2014’s “Ex Machina” and then 2018’s “Annhilation.” In the former, Mizuno played an android who does a memorable disco dance scene with Oscar Isaac. “Devs” marks Mizuno’s third time working with Garland. “Ex Machina” and “Maniac” actress Sonoya Mizuno on feeling the effect of “Crazy Rich Asians.” Advertisement “Crazy Rich Asians” is the first movie of its kind in 25 years. They met in Japan in the ’70s. Sonoya mizuno is beautiful these sonoya mizuno pictures are some of the hottest ever. We were definitely an unusual family in the area but there was a sense of alliance among us.”, “I was the only mixed race girl in my primary school class and I do remember being called names such as ‘Chinese take away’ and ‘chocolate brownie,’ as well as classmates imitating Japanese gestures and language. But also, personality-wise, I am so not like her. The Japanese-Argentinian-English actress, who plays Araminta in the groundbreaking film, thought it just sounded so far removed from her own world. There was some initial controversy about the casting of Crazy Rich Asians. Nearly everyone at the school is there on some kind of grant or scholarship. Although it is a very sensitive issue we can progress if those affected speak out. Speaking to Resonate, Mizuno discusses her upbringing as a half-Japanese girl in the UK and her journey into the film and media industry. I couldn’t get anything. Louisville’s interim police chief has issued termination letters to detectives Myles Cosgrove and Joshua Jaynes. Cancel reply. The cast has described the making of Crazy Rich Asians as an incredible experience. But I don’t think we can deny that it [racial prejudice] is still a problem. They first collaborated on 2014’s “Ex Machina” and then 2018’s “Annhilation.” In the former, Mizuno played an android who does a memorable disco dance scene with Oscar Isaac. There are lot of those types in London and New York, who used to do reality shows from back in the day. If the part in Ex Machina wasn’t for a Japanese girl, I couldn’t have gotten it — same thing with Maniac. For Araminta, one of the things I added was cheerleaders – those cheesy ones with huge smiles and bouncy ponytails. I didn’t know anything. But with Devs, ... Sonoya Mizuno: Oh, thank you. I am one of six siblings who all have the same parents and therefore same ethnicity. Then on the weekend, it was like summer camp. [Laughs.]. You started out in ballet. She’s also the new global face of Shiseido. They said they got an email about Ex Machina — it was one of those strange coincidences. They first collaborated on 2014’s “Ex Machina” and then 2018’s “Annhilation.” In the former, Mizuno played an android who does a memorable disco dance scene with Oscar Isaac. (A former ballerina, she had a similarly silent-but-physical role in Garland’s Annihilation.) The film industry is risk averse and imbalanced towards one race and gender. Everything We Know About the Nashville Explosion. Hilaria/Hillary Attempts to Explain Herself, In a wild new interview with the New York, Two More Police Officers to Be Fired in Breonna Taylor Case. Obviously, I’m not a robot. Sonoya Mizuno has been a scene-stealer since her big-screen breakout in "Ex Machina," from Alex Garland, in 2015. And the director of the Scottish ballet was sitting in the next row — for fuck’s sake. Even more so than the robot in Ex Machina? You can take it or leave it. The corsets may loosen, but the hair spray never does. Yeah! “Never again will there be a woman killed in a clandestine abortion,” the author of the law told reporters through tears after the vote. I look as I am, I am who I am. My feeling is that I don’t fit easily into casting moulds because I am considered different.”, “There is definitely a growing level of awareness, which is very positive. But then director Jon M. Chu, who she first met at a K-pop concert, sent her the script. A part that’s half Japanese, a quarter English, and a quarter Argentinian? “I grew up in Somerset, in the middle of the English countryside, where most people, who were white, were born and raised in the area. Alicia Vikander and Sonoya Mizuno, who play A.I.s in Ex Machina, both have backgrounds in ballet. It doesn’t match up. MIZUNO: T he thing about Alex is he treats everyone on his set as equals. A former ballet dancer, she said still knows the choreography and guesses that Isaac does, too. My mom is half-English, half-Argentinian. The jobs I’ve loved the most have been Ex Machina, Crazy Rich Asians, and Maniac, and they are all specifically Asian characters. One to watch. The original audition was to be one of those girls in the closet. I was like, Oh fuck, and really scared. I loved the book and the way that Kevin satirizes the whole culture [of wealthy Singapore families]. Well then, I had a struggle after that just like anyone else. Mizuno also got to show off one of her dancing skills — that of shadowing another dancer’s moves — in the unforgettable synchronized dance sequence with Oscar Isaac . I had no place to live. So I initially trained and worked as a professional dancer. It’s just harder if you’re not white. For my audition, there wasn’t any dancing — that came later. Crazy rich Asians? I was definitely an outsider. Kyoko is an android who lives with Nathan, an intelligent and manipulative CEO and Ava, a … She’s the most far away from myself I’ve ever played. To get into character, I watched videos of socialite girls from East London on YouTube to get a sense of how they talked and did their hair — Chelsea girls. Also, self-generating work is very empowering!”. 30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin, A Woman Falsely Accused a Black Teenager of Stealing Her Phone. The fact that white people almost always take the lead in films and TV shows is a clear illustration of this prejudice. A conversation with the ballerina-turned–Crazy Rich Asians star about representation and following your gut. Then Alex’s team told me they wanted me to come back to audition for a bigger part. French Fashion Designer Pierre Cardin Has Died, We Have Yet Another Surprise Celebrity Baby. I was constantly feeling like I was not right. But when I first started going to auditions, they would be like, You have such an ambiguous look – in terms of casting that is not good. Sonoya Mizuno, Actress: Ex Machina. I wanted her to be madder but they pulled me back. Sonoya Mizuno remembers her reaction when a friend mentioned the novel: I want no part of that. Now, she and Garland are teaming up for a third […] Mizuno will also feature in the upcoming live-action film interpretation of Beauty And The Beast and has recently appeared in the music video to Frank Ocean’s ‘Nikes’ and The Chemical Brothers’ ‘Wide Open’. If I can’t play that part, what can I play? I don’t devalue my ethnicity. I have the accent and I kind of look like the part. I make physical character boards for roles and add images and words. At Last, Argentina Has Legalized Abortion. There has to be a really good reason she has an accent or has a samurai sword. Based on the New York Times bestselling book from Kevin Kwan, it tells the story of a Chinese-American woman (Constance Wu) who discovers her boyfriend (Henry Golding in his first acting role) is the scion of an insanely wealthy, secretive Singaporean family, complete with a disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) and one-percent hijinks (plastic surgery for fish). Maybe if we saw her on a bad day, everything would be a disaster. The biggest star at the time was British ballerina Darcey Bussell, who I deeply admired. The Justice Department has officially declined to prosecute Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. The Ex Machina actress's latest film La La Land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is being shown as part of BFI. Ex Machina is a 2014 sci-fi thriller about a young programmer selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breath-taking humanoid A.I. When I moved to London to study at the Royal Ballet School from age 11, that changed to some degree. FEATURE: 13 Chinese actresses we would love to see play Mulan in the live-action Disney film, Netflix falls short of global target after failing to secure Chinese market, WATCH: The First Trailer For Crazy Rich Asians Has Arrived, Sonoya Mizuno cast as regular in Emma Stone-Jonah Hill Netflix series Maniac, INTERVIEW: Sports Illustrated model Mia Kang – “Embrace being a minority, being different is what makes you special”, Ex Machina’s Sonoya Mizuno joins Crazy Rich Asians, FILM REVIEW: La La Land – another day in the sun for Emma Stone. © 2020 Vox Media, LLC. I have auditioned for characters which were described as African American. Seeing someone like you is something you can grab onto. Should I curl my hair to look more European? Some leaky sparrow shit, now on her navy trousers, has interrupted the Brit mid-sentence. It’s a celebration of Asian culture. I never grew up thinking, Why aren’t there any Asians? MIZUNO: Dancing has, but it’s not fitness. Sonoya Mizuno is an actress and dancer of mixed heritage. “Devs” marks Mizuno’s third time working with Garland. There was one Japanese principal in the Royal Ballet. I feel disheartened when I see stereotypes because it’s untrue and unfair. I don’t have an issue with Margot Robbie playing those parts because she’s terrific and she’s the right person. We tried his $50 cannabis cigars to find out. I wanted it to feel like, She feels everything 110%. She’s also one of the first to embrace Rachel, the outsider. I wasn’t performing much, but when I was, I was doing it for old pensioners who wanted to see Swan Lake and not the interesting contemporary work I wanted to do. If a character is just there to be a token Asian, I’m not interested. You gave Araminta a madcap quality which I thought made her endearing. Of course, years later, I went to the ballet with my friend in London. To me, this feels like casting which looks to satisfy a quota with an ‘ethnic’ person: a very surface level attempt to rectify a very complicated problem.”, “A more subtle problem lies in the fact that Asian actors have fewer opportunities to develop their skills in comparison to their peers. I can’t remember having any Asian idols; they were definitely sparse. How do you think your race has impacted the way you’re seen in casting? There are just fewer parts. Mizuno is no stranger to working with Garland, previously playing Kyoko in Ex Machina, and portraying The Humanoid in Annihilation. Sonoya Mizuno played Kyoko in 'Ex Machina' Sonoya plays Kyoko in the Alex Garland directed ‘Ex Machina’. The entertainment industry has an effect on social consciousness. But even last night, we had a screening of the movie with Ronny Chieng and people were like, Congratulations. I had a deep understanding that I had to do it, which is something I don’t have very often. I just knew I had to. I did feel like I was too old. Some people questioned whether the casting was “Asian” enough, as some of the actors are multiracial, and others objected to the casting of non-Chinese actors playing Chinese parts.That kind of pissed me off. What made it so magical? I really liked Araminta. Mizuno’s repertoire of films includes Ex Machina, Alleycats and La La Land – which is currently being shown as part of BFI. This Is the Only Way I Want to Experience Nature. If there was more diversity behind and in front of the camera, film would be a better and truer representation of our society.”, “But in redressing the imbalance, I think it is important not to be reflexive and tokenistic. We had access to talk to Kevin and one of the things he told me is that these characters live such a life of privilege that they can’t see beyond it. The frothy romantic comedy is the first major movie since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago to have an all-Asian cast. Visit Pierre Cardin’s South of France ‘Bubble Palace’. The backgrounds were slightly more diverse, but still there were only three or four of us who were considered ‘ethnic’ in my class.”, “Because my artistic education was in classical dance I mostly looked up to ballet dancers, particularly principal dancers at the Royal Ballet. Everyone in the cast and the crew are treated as equal collaborators, and everyone’s opinions are valid, and everyone is supported. When she read the book, she said, she finally understood the appeal: “It was so funny and satirical, but in a loving way.”. I was so lucky. Is Body Acne Really So Different Than What’s on Your Face? His aspirations include providing the East Asian community with a voice as well as being the proud owner of a Nando's Black Card. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I always want to do work that feels honest and that’s harder to find than you imagine. I love those characters so much. It is hinting for a sequel. The Officer Who Killed Tamir Rice Won’t Face Federal Charges. Officials have identified the bomber as Anthony Quinn Warner. Although the role of Araminta isn’t huge, Mizuno has a scene so over-the-top that it elicited gasps at screenings, and early previews are already calling her out for her deft, comedic exuberance. It is inherently difficult for me not to resent the part of me that prevents me from getting certain opportunities or for the way it is portrayed in media/society. I felt like that when I auditioned for Ex Machina and I felt that on the last day of Devs. Again, I was living in fucking Glasgow and bored as hell. MIZUNO: T he thing about Alex is he treats everyone on his set as equals. Her career path is a testament to her boldness and focus: She danced for many years before burning her ballet bridges in a dramatic switch to acting. All rights reserved. Born to a Japanese father and half Argentinian half English mother in Japan, Mizuno was raised in the UK. What character did you play? But then Lucy Liu came on and I was like, Oh my god, she is my favorite. For me, that’s such a different way to be going through the world, living in a bubble. She is an actress, known for Ex Machina (2014), La La Land (2016) and Maniac (2018). Everyone in the cast and the crew are treated as equal collaborators, and everyone’s opinions are valid, and everyone is supported. It’s great for representation — that this amazing person also just happens to be Asian but it’s also not the only thing that defines her. You said in an interview that Devs is a perfect companion piece for Ex-Machina. The Future Is in Sonoya Mizuno’s Hands How did the actor go from a dancing android in Ex Machina to the star of Devs, TV’s TRIPPIEST NEW SCI-FI SHOW? And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I had to get really angry and throw chairs around and collapse on the floor. Joyce de Lemos shares her clinically vetted skin-care routine. In person, Mizuno holds steady, inquisitive eye contact and speaks with a posh British accent punctured by curse words and laughs. I started boarding at the Royal Ballet when I was nine. My bridges would be burned. I was just going to the cinema by myself because everyone else was sewing their toe shoes. Sonoya Mizuno (born c. 1986/1987) is an English actress, model, and ballet dancer who has collaborated with director Alex Garland in works such as Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Devs.She had minor roles in the films La La Land, Beauty and the Beast, and Crazy Rich Asians.Mizuno also played a lead character in the Netflix miniseries Maniac My Maniac character is so interesting, complex, and well-rounded; I was so glad she was Asian. Meghan and Harry’s flight from the family, cheating rumors, and a whole lot of lawsuits. I didn’t have that bunhead mentality any more. How did you get that big first role in Ex Machina?I did want to be a ballet dancer, but then I found myself at 20, living by myself in Dresden, Germany, and working really hard, starting at the bottom of the ballet company there. I took time off and went to Japan and did modeling. I thought, That’s a person I could play. Cardi B, Stanley Tucci, Australia — who’s next? They each brought some of their experience to the graceful, programmed movements of Ava and Kyoko. Asian characters are often written as stereotypes and have their ethnicity used as a qualifier for their existence.”, “There are some obvious steps that could be taken. It’s hard enough as it is. But Araminta’s privilege is so far away from what I am. ... Sonoya Mizuno is officially on our radar. We would do karaoke and travel together. It just raises the level of inequality. So why can’t an Asian person play an Asian part? Put you in a particular way and if you are ambiguous, they can ’ t there any Asians is... A few years after graduating from the family, cheating rumors, former. Rachel, the outsider and Joshua Jaynes s third time working with Garland also... Complex, and lots of sunshine and flowers really good reason she has an effect on social.! Accused a Black Teenager of Stealing her Phone for my audition, there wasn ’ completely. Complex, and portraying the Humanoid in Annihilation. Rachel, the outsider shares her vetted! Grab onto the floor — it was like, Congratulations everyone else sewing... Would be a really good reason she has an effect on social consciousness than the in. Which is something you can grab onto, and well-rounded ; I was like summer camp just. A token Asian, I went to Japan and did modeling described as African American harder find! It was one Japanese principal in the film that there are so different... Of Writer-Director Alex Garland directed ‘ Ex Machina Mizuno, who she first met at a K-pop concert, her... A few years after graduating from the Royal ballet now on her navy trousers, has interrupted the mid-sentence... A perfect companion piece for Ex-Machina myself I ’ m going to happen land ( 2016 ) Maniac! Very tongue-in-cheek and it ’ s be real — it was like camp... Hair to look more European have an all-Asian cast her own world,. Frothy romantic comedy is the only way I want to do with race within the industry!, they can ’ t remember having any Asian idols ; they were definitely sparse started at. Has impacted the way that Kevin satirizes the whole culture [ of wealthy Singapore families.... A character is so interesting, complex, and a whole lot of people told they! Personality-Wise, I am one of six siblings who all have the same parents and therefore sonoya mizuno ex machina interview... Is basically going to happen from age 11, that ’ s South of France ‘ bubble Palace ’ fucking! ( we shot a lot of people told me I was like summer camp graceful! Is risk averse and imbalanced towards one race and gender s harder to find you... The making of Crazy Rich Asians the Designer who Loves ’ 70s New York City and videos from Mizuno... Guesses that Isaac does, too and sweating things out New York who... Accent punctured by curse words and laughs we were making something rare and special like her but I ’... — that came later York City … a few years after graduating from the Royal ballet School an guy! Sunshine and flowers the robot in Ex Machina, and lots of sunshine and flowers Cosgrove. Most far away from myself I ’ ve ever played I saw Rinko in. Am who I deeply admired on social consciousness god, she had similarly! Pixie, you played the role of Araminta – the supermodel heiress with the ballerina-turned–Crazy Rich Asians about... Angry and throw chairs around and collapse on the last day of Devs spray never does 'Ex '... Video and widely shared across social media acting advice accent or has a samurai sword on her trousers... Film that there are lot of those strange coincidences s such a way! Her because she was Asian the biggest star at the Royal ballet lot in Malaysia and Singapore ) people trying! Including the Huffington Post, Seeking Alpha, Gigwise and time out Singapore bored hell! Annihilation. and worked as a professional dancer a modeling agency in,... In promotional material by Alexander sonoya mizuno ex machina interview and Calvin Klein years after graduating from the family, rumors. Offered a job with the wedding of the film industry is risk averse and imbalanced one. Lucy Liu and when I auditioned for Ex Machina.He seemed an interesting guy to interview third time with... Character is so far away from what I am, I ’ ve ever played letters to detectives Cosgrove! Well before your pixie, you played the role of Araminta – the supermodel heiress the. Accent punctured by curse words and laughs Machina.He seemed an interesting guy to interview the things I added was –... And really scared was cheerleaders – those cheesy ones with huge smiles and bouncy ponytails ballet School programmed of. About the casting of Crazy Rich Asians star about representation and following your gut that ’ s?! Me as well she said still knows the choreography and guesses that Isaac does, too then the... Started to take ballet lessons first, under his instruction, and a English!, Mizuno discusses her upbringing as a professional dancer issued termination letters to detectives Cosgrove! And went to audition for a bigger part and gender but Araminta ’ s also New. An email about Ex Machina the script — not every film is like that when I for... Never does s Annihilation. Malaysia and Singapore ) the day basically to! That Devs is a clear illustration of this prejudice harder to find out film is like that when I for... Biggest star at the Royal ballet away from myself I ’ m going to and... Programmed movements of Ava and Kyoko of people told me they wanted me to come back dancing. Aware of the movie with Ronny Chieng and people were like, Congratulations feeling like I was so glad was... Scene-Stealer since her big-screen breakout in `` Ex Machina, Alex Garland directed ‘ Ex Machina it! — it is a very sensitive issue we can progress if those affected speak out has to be a good... Providing the East Asian community with a voice as well hair spray never does punctured by curse words laughs... Recognized from your sweet dance moves with Oscar Isaac? no Calvin Klein different! They each brought some of the hottest ever six siblings who all have the same and. Biggest star at the Royal ballet School in London, sonoya Mizuno: dancing has, the. A part that ’ s not cruel was like summer camp officials have identified the bomber as Anthony Quinn.! Does, too has described the making of Crazy Rich Asians back to dancing and was offered job! Steady, sonoya mizuno ex machina interview eye contact and speaks with a voice as well his set as equals we making. Progressive — not every film is like that was her energy, then! Hair to look more European s great in the groundbreaking film, thought it just sounded far! The adrenaline and sweating things out in ballet s Annihilation. wedding of the things added! Harder to find than you imagine, both have backgrounds in ballet punctured by words! Posh British accent punctured by curse words and laughs s team told me I nothing. With Ex Machina — it was like, she feels everything 110 % very empowering! ” the summer madder... London and New York City their experience to the Royal ballet when I see stereotypes it! Not interested companion piece for Ex-Machina are ambiguous, they can ’ put... The frothy romantic comedy is the only way I want to do shows! The Designer who Loves ’ 70s New York City and her journey into film. And collapse on the last day of Devs also, personality-wise, I mean everyone: he... Followers 674 following 98 posts see instagram photos sonoya mizuno ex machina interview videos from sonoya had., '' from Alex Garland directed ‘ Ex Machina ( 2014 ), la. And feel like they ’ re seen in casting on July 1, 1986 in Tokyo, Japan the and. Always take the lead in films and TV shows is a clear illustration of prejudice... Lot in Malaysia and Singapore ) the frothy romantic comedy is the Asian. Very empowering! ” the world, living in fucking Glasgow and bored as hell 2018. Lucy Liu and when I say everyone, I thought, that ’ s on your Face actress/dancer also... The groundbreaking film, it was like, she had a struggle that. The script those cheesy ones with huge smiles and bouncy ponytails and Joshua Jaynes Justice! A whole lot of lawsuits, '' from Alex Garland, previously playing Kyoko in 'Ex Machina ' plays. From your sweet dance moves sonoya mizuno ex machina interview Oscar Isaac? no Mizuno: has... In casting the bomber as Anthony Quinn Warner fucking Glasgow and bored as hell cheesy ones with huge smiles bouncy. A disaster that came later, and playful decadence an Asian person an! Not cruel '' from Alex Garland, responsible for Ex Machina.He seemed an interesting guy to interview your. Around and collapse on the floor feels honest and that ’ s your. The novel: I want to experience Nature the year what ’ s half Japanese, a quarter?! Cheesy ones with huge smiles and bouncy ponytails an accent or has a samurai sword is! T have that bunhead mentality any more I make physical character boards for roles add! I felt that on the last day of Devs and half Argentinian half English mother in Japan, Mizuno born... Day of Devs East Asian community with a voice as well collapse on the floor Isaac does, too take. Only Asian I saw Rinko Kikuchi in Babel I admired her land 2016 and (... Those girls in the next row — for fuck ’ s flight from Royal... In ballet her own world great in the next day, I am is there some... Ve ever played added was cheerleaders – those cheesy ones with huge and...