Cinema Femme interview with “The Novice” star Isabelle Fuhrman and director Lauren Hadaway

by Rebecca Martin

December 14, 2021

1 min read

Share this post

Cinema Femme “The Novice” interview with star Isabelle Fuhrman and director Lauren Hadaway

“The Novice” comes to digital and theaters Friday, December 17th!

Moderated by Cinema Femme managing editor Rebecca Martin

Isabelle Fuhrman (“Orphan”) plays Alex Dall, a queer college freshman who joins her university’s rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself to her limits-and beyond, alienating everyone around her in the name of success. Furhman’s fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway’s bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in queer storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one’s for you. (rottentomatoes.com summary)

Share this post

Rebecca Martin

Rebecca Martin is the Managing Editor of Cinema Femme magazine and the Festival Director of Cinema Femme Short Film Fest. She founded her publication in 2018 because she wanted to create a platform for female voices in the film community. She has hosted film screenings in Chicago, led virtual panel discussions, Q&As, is the Cinema Femme Short Films Director, and has covered festivals like the Chicago International Film Festival, Sundance, Tribeca, and the Bentonville Film Festival.

Recommended For You

Explore our latest articles and updates.

Awards, Directing, Film Discussion, Film Editing, Film History, Film Industry, Horror, Oscars, Production Design

5 min read

Slideshow: Female Artistry Spotlighted at the Academy Museum

by Matt Fagerholm

July 13, 2026

When my wife, Cinema Femme founder Rebecca Martin Fagerholm, and I decided to visit California for our fourth wedding anniversary, we knew that one of our destinations would have to

2025 Films, Chicago International Film Festival, International Films, Interviews

7 min read

Reclaiming the Self: Carolina Cavalli on the Strange Beauty of “The Kidnapping of Arabella”

by Rebecca Martin

July 10, 2026

Revisiting our interview with Carolina Cavalli ahead of the film’s Chicago release. Find details on upcoming screenings here. It also landed a spot on our Top 10 Films of 2025

reviews

3 min read

Family Ties in Carla Simón’s “Romería”

by Megan Henderson

July 9, 2026

What makes a family? Is it our blood relatives, assigned to us at birth? Or is it the people we meet along the way and accept as our own kin?

Stay Updated on Our Film Festival

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest festival updates, film submissions, and special announcements.

By clicking Join Us, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.

Discover more from Cinema Femme

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading