Letitia Wright on Creating the Lived Experience of Aisha

Letitia Wright spoke with us about her latest role in the film Aisha playing the titular role.  The film looks at her character’s experience as an immigrant in Ireland from Nigeria, who is awaiting news on whether or not they have been granted citizenship. Through research, both Letitia and the films director Frank Berry said they wanted her story to be reflective of the experiences many face in the process and how the system strips away a lot of humanity and autonomy.  Letitia plays a character who is more introverted, but mentions how she felt that Aisha would have been a more outgoing version of herself back home before experiencing a traumatic event and being forced to move so far away from home.

She also spoke to working with Josh O'Connor in the film, and the importance of the small moments between their characters on screen together allowing for expressions of joy since no person is only one facet of emotions.  Letitia also shared what it was like to film scenes where Aisha is being interviewed by immigration services, and the fact she takes ownership over her experience and story in choosing how to share these experiences.  It was a role she connected deeply to and which required a lot of presence, particularly with how the director chose to film in long takes, allowing her to really live in the experience of each scene.

Watch the full conversation below.

While caught for years in Ireland's immigration system Aisha Osagie develops a close friendship with former prisoner Conor Healy. This friendship soon looks to be short lived as Aisha's future in Ireland comes under threat.