Exclusive: Sekai Abenì talks The Long Game and working with Jackie Earle Haley and Kathleen Turner
Recently played at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival was the film noir thriller, The Long Game, directed by Jace Anderson and starring Kathleen Turner, Jackie Earle Haley, and newcomer Sekai Abenì in her feature debut.
Described as a noir mystery, "The Long Game" is based on "The Method", written by Janet Fitch ("White Oleander") that was included in Los Angeles Noir, a collection of acclaimed short stories.
The plot revolves around an ambitious young actress Holly Sloan (Sekai Abení) who agrees to help her boyfriend Richard Metzger (Jackie Earle Haley) scam Hollywood legend Mariah McKay (Kathleen Turner). However, the two women strike up an unlikely friendship instead and it becomes apparent that Holly must decide where her true loyalties lie.
Also featured in the film are Chris Mulkey ("Whiplash"), Ever Carradine ("The Handmaid's Tale"), Daniel Burgess-Wise, Lexa Gluck, Laith Ashley and Bonnie Discepolo.
The film was co-written by Adam Gierasch and Jace Anderson, produced by Peter Block and Cory Neal, along with producer Gierasch, and executive producers Jackie Earle Haley and Jennifer Dana ("The Assistant").
Best known for her role as the adult Tiffany Quilkin in Prime Video’s series Paper Girls, Abenì is a graduate of The Juilliard School. The Long Game represents her first starring role on film.
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales spoke with Abenì about her experience on The Long Game and working with veteran actors Kathleen Turner and Jackie Earle Haley.