Following on from our review of Joely Engelbert’s new single, ‘Until She Smiles’, we speak with the singer and actress and find out what makes her tick.
‘Until She Smiles’ is such a moving song that really captures Clara’s journey. What’s it like performing this emotional piece that concludes the film?
First, thanks for this interview and for giving me a chance to share some thoughts about this beautiful song and movie. The movie needed a soaring, cathartic song to bring everything full circle for Clara. She had been through so much and I believe the audience needed this moment as much as she did. Without giving away too much, Clara had been through more than any human being should ever have to go through, and she survived.
When you first heard this song, how did it connect with your experience playing Clara?
Really great question. My older sister, Zoey Engelbert, was tasked with writing this song. I remember sitting on the couch to hear her sing it for me and the director (who also happens to be my father). As Zoey was singing each line, it connected and it hurt, and it inspired. So many incredible and powerful emotions. I remember looking at my dad, and tears were streaming down his face. We knew it was perfect.
Your dad, Matt, directs both the film and this video, and your real-life sister, Phoebe, plays Ruby. What’s it like having your actual family help tell this story about sisters protecting each other?
My dad is a great writer, and he shared the story with me and Phoebe. At that point, he brought both of us into the script-writing process. He wanted the words to be authentic. He wanted the words to be our own. So both Phoebe and I were involved in a much larger part of the process than most actors would get to be. But it was important for both me and Phoebe because we connected so deeply with Clara and Ruby.
The video shows Clara processing all those painful flashbacks. What’s it like performing something that’s emotionally heavy? How do you get yourself into the right mindset for that?
The flashbacks are also very beautiful. Clara has protected Ruby through this incredibly dark, tragic set of events. So these flashbacks are more of a triumph. it was a very difficult role for me. I lived with Clara in my head from the screenwriting process all the way through the eight-month film schedule. It took me several months to emotionally recover once we were done filming. I love Clara and I love Ruby. But I felt every blow Clara would take throughout the story, and it hurt every time.
Going from acting as Clara in the film to then performing her final song – that’s quite a transition. How does playing her in the movie influence how you approach performing the song?
Well, it is sort of one and the same. From the first moment of the film, we see that Clara is a singer and performer. But that is quickly taken from her because of the actions of her mom. So the music video that has been released is the final scene of the movie. It is different than any other music video I have done, because I was performing as Clara and not as myself. So my performance in the final scene was as Clara in the recording studio, singing a song that was deeply personal to her story.
What does the support from your fans mean to you as an artist, especially when you’re sharing something this personal through your performance?
Well, the movie has not been released mostly, yet. I hope those people who support my work will get a chance to watch it and that they will find that the movie is powerful and moving. I also hope that the message of the story is helpful to those who have dealt with a significant trauma.
After winning Best Actress at Santa Fe and now this powerful performance, what can we expect next from you? Are you leaning more toward music or acting, or do you see them as connected?
Santa Fe really was a special and unexpected moment. Really unexpected. A lot of great performances I saw during the several days we were at the festival. So that is a very special memory. As for what’s next, I do love acting and am excited to be working on another project. Believe it or not, it may be darker than the role of Clara. I certainly love singing and will continue to record. I do see my music and acting as connected. The emotion and energy and preparation are very similar.
Any final thoughts for your fans out there?
Hoping that the movie is released in a larger way in the coming months and that they will have a chance to see what I love to do. Most people who follow me on social media only know of my singing. So I’m excited to share my acting.
Watch the music video for ‘Until She Smiles’ below, and find out more about Joely Engelbert and her music online on Instagram.
