Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Saskia Archer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Saskia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Bali 2002
This project was a true recreation of the events that occurred on and around October 12th, 2002 in Bali. Known internationally as “the Bali bombings.”
Aged just 22, my character Hanabeth, was dubbed the ‘Angel of Bali’ due to her heroic nature. Hanabeth helped a young Australian, Tom Singer, age 17, who was struggling amongst the flames of the Sari Club. A photo was captured by a local journalist of her amidst the flames. It was immediately distributed and splashed across front pages of newspapers worldwide after the attack.
However, Hanabeth felt far from heroic. In that moment the photo was captured, she felt the deep, rattling fear that the love of her life, Marc, was missing, and may have just lost his life. Despite this overwhelming sense of fear, grief, and tragedy, she continued to help the people around her. Risking her life as she searched for her love.
Two days later, Hanabeth was told that she had lost her first love, Marc Gajardo, to the attack. This was the hardest part of the role for me to play. To step into the terror, fear, and grief. The series shows the characters having their joyful final moments, dancing and kissing in the nightclub. When I kissed my costar, and felt him walk away to grab us drinks, knowing what was about to occur, I had to fight my own instinct to pull him back and protect him from the bomb that was about to go off. It was a fascinating challenge as my thoughts and my character’s blended together. I still feel deeply for Hanabeth and what she went through, but also for everyone else who was present that night of the attack.
Despite the trauma, Hanabeth kept on. She now has a PhD in agricultural science and is a university lecturer. She found love again; and is married with two children.
She fought on, like many other survivors.
She is hugely inspiring to me.
Bali 2002 is a reminder that there is hope, even in tragedy.
Streaming now only on STAN
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m an Actor, and while I might be known for sneaking snacks on set (aka Australia’s Snackiest Actor), I’d have to say I am most proud of my resilience.
A few years back, I was battling severe depression and diagnosed with a chronic condition. Pursuing an unpredictable career like acting felt unwise then. But giving up is simply not in my nature. I persevered, both in my healing journey and in my acting career.
Soon after what felt like the worst week of my life, I landed my breakout role in ‘The Reef Stalked.’ Recently, I was stopped in the street by a lovely Argentinian man who told me it’s a very big movie there, and he wanted a photo to send home to his daughter. It was a heartfelt moment to recognise that the movie that changed the direction of my life is still being enjoyed today. Despite the fact that it is Thriller.
I’m proud to say that I no longer meet the criteria for my so-called “chronic” condition. And I’m deeply grateful for the privilege of having worked on so many incredible projects. I want people struggling with mental health to know that things truly can get better, and your best days are likely still ahead. Why not stick it out and see how amazing life can become?
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
There’s a quote I live by creatively “Comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable”
I believe the same piece of work that is soothing and validating to one, is perhaps upsetting and triggering for another. I like this space, it wakes people up. Half the people in the world I think are functioning half asleep. It’d like to rattle their cage and illuminate the dark in such a way that they are both encouraged and invited to discover, reflect and dig deep on the things that truly matter. To themselves but also to the world as a whole.
If we are brave with the topics that are uncomfortable there’s little we cannot overcome.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
As a society, we can best support our creatives by consuming their art.
It may feel to audiences that observing the work itself is inconsequential. However, the audience and their consumption of art, regardless of their reaction, are an integral part of the process.
I believe as a society, creative or not, we can play a role in the distribution. We can consume more art (less social media) and distribute it freely, sharing it on platforms and talking about it with people in your life.
If we support our creatives in the distribution side of the work, the work will likely have far more impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10635691/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saskiaarcher/
