“You don’t always get time to extensively work through a character and we got the chance to do that”: Letitia Wright and Agnieszka Smoczyńska on The Silent Twins

The Silent Twins is the unique and challenging, yet moving, idiosyncratic story of twins June and Jennifer Gibbons, who were committed to Broadmoor Hospital after a childhood of rebellion and silence, where they then spent most of their lives. Adapted from a book of the same name by Marjorie Wallace and directed by Agnieszka Smoczyńska, a non-conventional approach to storytelling brings the girls’ inner world to life on-screen, while the movie’s duo are portrayed with nuance and commitment by Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance, who won the BIFA award for joint lead performance.

The Upcoming heard from Smoczyńska during Cannes 2022 about her journey to discovering the remarkable true story, focusing on themes of love, sacrifice and setting free those we hold dear. Wright also shared how she was eager to delve into the lesser-known artistic and vulnerable aspects of the twins’ lives. Both were committed to presenting a well-rounded and compelling portrayal of the story, balancing the challenging parts with imaginative and musical elements. Smoczyńska introduced animation and musical numbers to the script, allowing the audience a glimpse into the twins’ fascinating inner world. Wright and co-star Lawrance immersed themselves in their roles, working closely with Smoczyńska and a movement director to synchronise their mannerisms and speech; the collaboration also involved a dialect coach to perfect their portrayals. This rare opportunity for extensive character development in filmmaking was a cherished experience for both Wright and Smoczyńska. 

Sarah Bradbury

The Silent Twins is released nationwide on 9^th December 2022. Read our review of the film here.

Watch the trailer for The Silent Twins here: