Pictures: Amalia Osborne
When Auckland actress Eden Hart found herself in one of the most intense situations of her life, excitedly pouring herself into 14-hour days for new horror film Grafted, she knew she was in the perfect career – even if it landed her a post-wrap hospital visit!
“My poor body was exhausted because we’d all been working so hard, putting our heart and soul into it,” says Eden, 26. “We completed Grafted on a crazy short schedule. I think we shot for five weeks and the nature of a horror means we did a lot of nights.”
The timetable meant when other people were leaving their homes for work, Eden and her co-stars, including 3 Body Problem actress Jess Hong, were going to bed.
“We’d start shooting late in the day and go until very early in the morning,” recalls Eden. “I’d have blood in my hair and have to wash it, and then go to sleep with wet hair.
“‘Then I did a water stunt at the end of the shoot. After I wrapped, I sat around talking to people. I think I just needed to get dry.”
It’s not surprising then that when filming stopped and Eden returned to normal life with her two-year-old English Staffordshire bull terrier Pablo Santiago, she collapsed from flu and went to hospital.
“But I went home immediately after doctors checked me out and I was fine. Plus, I love that intensity. I absolutely love it.”
The rising star, who’s had supporting roles on local TV show Creamerie and Netflix drama Sweet Tooth, is used to being around the film industry. She grew up in her grandparents’ North Shore cinema The Bridgeway.
As a toddler, she often sat in a booster seat at the back of a movie session, completely enthralled. She went on to sell movie posters and clean cinemas for her first job at her grandparents’ second cinema in Matakana.
“My mum was a single parent for the first few years of my life, so I’d get dropped to my grandparents’ cinema,” explains Eden. “I was super-hyperactive and it kept me busy. I spent a lot of time watching movies in any language or genre – I loved it. It’s the only place I’d sit still!”
At three and a half, Eden met her stepfather, whom she calls Dad. She credits him for also supporting her acting dream. He sadly passed away at 62, following a brain aneurysm, which he suffered in front of a then-19-year-old Eden.
“He was such an awesome dad and smart guy,” she shares. “It’s funny – some people used to say we looked alike and absolutely no one could tell I wasn’t his daughter. I know he’d be so proud of my work and I wish I could share it with him.”
The actress admits she shut down for a while after his loss, but the grief also inspired her to reflect on what truly makes her happy.
“It all came crashing into me – the capacity of how much I loved this person,” she confides. “Him passing away really unexpectedly was the catalyst for a lot of growth in my life. I had to rebuild myself and my values. I became deeply involved in my health and connected with my wairua [spirit]. It definitely changed who I am and therefore my acting.”
Eden is currently on our screens as strong-willed escort Fiyah in local comedy-drama series Madam, about an ethical escort agency.
“Fiyah is a young woman who needs a thick skin and is unapologetic about occupying space,” says Eden. “As much as Madam is a comedy, it has a good heart to it. None of the female characters wear shame or feel sorry for themselves. It’s their right to earn money in any consensual way they like. But we do see some harder parts of that world too.”
Working alongside big names, including Rachel Griffiths and Danielle Cormack, was like a “masterclass in professionalism” for Eden, who is grateful she’s been given the opportunity to play such strong characters.
“In Grafted, I play Eve, another vulnerable young woman who is studying at university and strikes up a relationship with her professor,” explains Eden. “It’s hard to tell if she’s the good guy or the bad guy.
“I love playing females who are direct and driven. They all end up teaching me something.”
Madam is screening 8.30pm Thursdays on Three and streaming on ThreeNow.
Grafted is part of the New Zealand International Film Festival this month and is in cinemas from 12 September.
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