Brooke Timber

Vulnerability and confidence go hand in hand, and for rising actress Brooke Timber, the alliance of the two sets her up for success in her first feature film role in Memory. The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September of 2023 and is set to release in the United Kingdom on the 23rd of February. Timber plays the role of Anna in the film, the daughter of Sylvia, played by Jessica Chastain who is a recovering alcoholic of 13 years. The content of the film is emotional and complex but for Brooke, her empathetic chord propelled her further into this movie and role, making her first feature film momentous.

Yet, as her career continues to rise she still finds comfort and stability through her friends and family. Deciding to not homeschool knowing she’d regret missing out on what it means to be a kid is just one example of the maturity Brooke embodies that will take her a long way. The sky’s the limit for Brooke Timber as she chats with 1883 Magazine about her role and experience filming Memory, being a teen while working in the industry and the powerful women she’s worked with and directors she wants to work with.

Firstly, congratulations on your performance, the film is a really harrowing look into trauma and the repercussions of people’s actions and the mistakes they make – what was your initial reaction when reading the script?

Thank you very much for your acknowledgement of my work, it means a lot to me. My initial reaction when I finished the script was a mixture of emotions, after all, I was just let in on all of the trauma and secrets of one’s family and so for a while, I was wrapped in all these emotions at once from fascinations to disbelief but mostly empathy. I think what struck a chord with me is the aftermath of everyone’s actions and the uncomfortable truth that I as an actor will be challenged to confront. After reading the script I realized right then that I wanted to be part of this journey.

Your character Anna lives in a world controlled by her mother Sylvia, so much of what Sylvia does has an impact on Anna, and the two of you created such a brilliant mother/daughter dynamic, how did you approach Anna’s view of her mother?

I approached Anna’s perspective of her mother with deepest empathy. I think in the film you can see Anna always observing, watching and scrutinizing the people around her and whatever transpires with Sylvia ripples onto Anna because she is very empathic towards her mother even though she doesn’t know the whole truth yet and she may never fully uncover it.

How was working with director Michel Franco? This work he has created feels incredibly intimate and real.

Working with Michel Franco on my first feature film was definitely authentically close. Before going into the process of shooting Memory, I had toured the apartment in which Anna and Sylvia lived. I was given a tour of Anna’s bedroom before anything was placed inside. I even got to envision mood boards for her room and bring things from my own finds to create a genuine sense of home in her space. It was very important to me and a helpful process that Michel set up. I remember sometimes sitting in Anna’s room in between takes and [I] would connect with her way of being. I think that is why you can see that intimacy and realness transpire in the film.

Memory is your first film but you’ve done work on big television shows such as Russian Doll, for someone so young, how did you find the experiences compared to one another?

It’s hard to compare two great experiences to one another as they stand on their own. In Russian Doll, I had the privilege to work with not one but two remarkable directors Natasha Lyonne, and Leslye Headland. Seeing Natasha in front of the camera and behind, directing was eye-opening and very inspirational. Our atmosphere on set was also so very empowering, the series was created and directed by an amazing group of women: Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, Leslye Headland… I remember being next to Natasha, in the director’s chair and feeling like I belonged. It was truly a life-transformational moment for me. Working on Memory with Michel and our incredible ensemble of actors and actresses has added to my skill and craft as a young actress myself. Michel created something so raw, which has helped me switch into gear and get out of the mindset of performing but rather being, and although these two experiences taught me two different things, they will forever impact me and my career.

You’ve also done a lot of work as a model which is another great way of storytelling – what did modelling teach you that you’ve been able to carry across into your acting work?

There is so much I learned from modelling and being on sets at that time… Most importantly I learned how to be emotionally vulnerable but confident at the same time in front of the camera. Allowing myself to be, has empowered me to create my best work so vulnerability is the most special thing I carried with me into the acting world.

You’re still so young and have received so much praise for your work, how do you balance your professional world with still being a teenager?

Thank you so much! I find solace and balance in being with my closest friends and family. I had this very conversation with them when I was considering being homeschooled and found myself thinking that I would not want to look back and have regrets of not having memories of actually growing up and missing out on school friendships and fun outside of my work. When there is free time from school and work, I like to hang out with my closest friends and enjoy each other’s company. I truly value my friendships and hope the ones I build today will last forever.

You’ve got a hugely impressive group of actors that have co-starred with you in both film and television, who has been the most inspiring and why?

It’s hard to pinpoint because each of these remarkable actors and directors with whom I’ve collaborated with have been my infinite source of inspiration and deep down inside I was an avid admirer and fan of their work long before our paths crossed.

It starts with Emma Stone, who I got the chance to briefly meet on the set of Maniac, [she] was so kind and took time to get to know me too, speaking to me as if we were equal. Natasha Lyonne and Chloë Sevigny… absolute icons and so unconditionally supportive of their colleagues. Seeing Natasha working both in front and behind the camera ignited another dream of mine to someday direct on my own. During the first season of Russian Doll Chloë, who played my mom, created a working space for me to thrive with my performance, allowing me to flourish. Jessica Chastain has left a profound impact on me and working with her is just a life’s gift. And Merritt Wever… I love Merrit so much and she just gets me. All of these talented women have impacted me not only as actors but as human beings as well and I am truly grateful I got the chance to cross paths with each of them.

Having a film open at the beginning of the year is a huge achievement for an actor, what would you like to see for yourself for the year ahead if you could pick anything? Are there any particular genres that you’d like to explore?

I would love the opportunity to film with these directors I have looked up to for the longest time: Darren Aronofsky, Emerald Fennell, Greta Gerwig, and Noah Baumbach. Any genre is fine, just put me in a movie where they’re directing and I’m good!