Claire Foy Masters Falconry for Gripping New Film Role in ‘H Is for Hawk’

Claire Foy stars in the new biographical drama “H Is for Hawk.” The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. It is based on Helen MacDonald’s acclaimed 2014 memoir.

Foy portrays MacDonald, a Cambridge academic. The story explores profound grief following a father’s death. A central theme is the character’s intense bond with a wild goshawk.

An Intensive Crash Course in Handling Hawks

Foy underwent rigorous training for the role. She worked with British bird specialists Rose and Lloyd Buck. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she had just two weeks to learn.

Five goshawks were used to portray the bird named Mabel. The production schedule revolved entirely around the birds’ needs. Foy had to achieve a genuine level of proficiency for safety and authenticity.

The experience was transformative for the actress. She described needing to be completely present with the animals. Filming required a minimalist crew to keep the hawks calm.

Portraying Grief with Raw Honesty

Foy found the emotional journey more daunting than the falconry. She aimed to portray universal grief truthfully. The challenge was communicating deep feeling with little dialogue.

The film avoids a tidy, “Hollywood” resolution to loss. Foy wanted the portrayal to be messy and real. This aligns with the raw vulnerability of MacDonald’s original memoir.

Her co-star, Brendan Gleeson, plays her father. Despite only three days of filming together, their chemistry is palpable. Foy credits Gleeson’s innate warmth and soulfulness.

“H Is for Hawk” presents a unique story of healing through nature. Claire Foy’s committed performance is its powerful center. The film offers an unflinching look at love, loss, and wild creatures.

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What is ‘H Is for Hawk’ about?

The film is based on Helen MacDonald’s memoir. It follows a grieving academic who trains a wild goshawk. This process becomes a way to cope with her father’s sudden death.

Did Claire Foy do her own falconry?

Yes, Foy trained extensively with professional falconers. She learned to handle multiple goshawks for the role. The production hired specialists to ensure the birds’ welfare.

Who else stars in the film?

Brendan Gleeson plays Helen’s father, Alisdair. The cast also includes Denise Gough and Lindsay Duncan. The film is directed by Philippa Lowthorpe.

Is the film faithful to the book?

Yes, the adaptation aims to capture the memoir’s raw and poetic essence. Claire Foy emphasized avoiding a patronizing or tidy portrayal of grief. The script was co-written by Emma Donoghue.

Will Claire Foy continue falconry?

Foy says she is deeply attached to the specific birds she worked with. However, she does not plan to continue falconry independently. Her experience was uniquely tied to the film’s emotional journey.