AMY BAER – PRODUCER: I read the script in 2012. I had just started my production company. I had been an executive for many years and a friend of mine sent it to me and I was mesmerised by the story primarily because it was a story I never knew existed. I was an English major in college and was embarrassed that even though I had read “Frankenstein” and studied it, I never knew the backstory. I knew it was written by a woman, but never knew the backstory. I was really taken by the personal aspect of it. I was struck that it was very relatable in a very modern way about a young woman, first love. So, I got very focused on finding a woman director. I felt a woman would have a life experience that would tap into what Mary went through in her life. I had seen “Wadjda” and loved it and the theme of that movie of what that girl went through was very similar to the struggle that Mary had, and there was a difference of 200 years, but this still was happening. So, I sent it to Haifa’s agent and very happily she responded.
HAIFAA AL-MANSOUR – DIRECTOR: It was amazing when I read the script. There is this little girl who is trying to find her voice and assert herself and was conservative.
AMY BAER – PRODUCER: It was a thirty-three week shoot and we shot in Ireland and Luxembourg because it was too expensive to shoot in England.
Why did you choose Elle Fanning? HAIFAA AL-MANSOUR – DIRECTOR: I loved Elle’s performance in “Super 8”. She is very effortless and subtle in her performances. Elle can elevate the scenes. She was a natural choice for me. I saw her in “Ginger & Rosa” when she was playing a British kid and she did an amazing accent and even carrying herself very proper like British. She has what it takes to bring Mary Shelley to the world. I really enjoyed working with her.
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