Army of One tells the story of one woman’s fight for life and love. While Brenner Baker (Hollman) and her husband Dillon (Matt Passmore) are camping in the backwoods of Alabama, they realize that they’ve inadvertently found themselves inside an illegal drug and gun storage compound. Before they can escape, however, the cartel captures, interrogates, and tortures them. But Brenner survives the ordeal and thus becomes a one-woman army.
I had the opportunity to speak with Hollman over the holidays. Read on to see what she had to say about the film, being a woman in the action genre, giving back, and finding your niche.
Army of One is now available for purchase on major streaming platforms.
Thank you, first of all, for taking the time to speak with me and The Nerd Daily.
“Of course! Thank you for having me!”
Congratulations on the film! I imagine it must be very exciting not only having a film released during a year that saw so many other titles being pushed into next year, but to also have a film that you produced, co-wrote, and starred in.
“Thank you, thank you very much! We made it to the finish line, holy smokes! You never really know, when you’re knee-deep in it. I swear to god, it’s an absolute miracle that any film makes it to the finish line—it’s a circus!”
Before we get into the film, I wanted to ask where this all started for you. Now, you’re a multi-hyphenate creative professional—were you always drawn to the arts? Did you always know that you wanted to be an actor?
“No. (laughs) That’s the short-winded version. The long-winded version is that both of my parents were performers. They were classical musicians: my mother, a master pianist; my father, a principal violist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. So, I essentially grew up behind-the-scenes. I would watch The Nutcracker ballet, and then, afterwards, see the ballerinas run around and change costumes. And I was always just allured by that world that you can present something—that you can show your talents to the world—but, behind the scenes, it’s this beautiful, organized chaos. And I found myself in the industry at roughly nineteen years old. I was in New York, doing print-work. Then, I found myself taking a couple classes in acting studios, and I thought to myself: if I could apply my [meticulously organized], left-brain-ness to the right-sided, creative [brain] aspect of this industry, I might just have something here.”
Speaking with you now, I have to say, it’s a bit of a surreal experience because—small story time—back in university, one of my majors was film studies, and, during my time, one of the courses I took was on action film and TV, and one of the units within that course was dedicated to women in the action genre. And my professor, coming from an angle in feminist theory, talked a lot about Saxa, your role in Spartacus—
“Get out! Are you serious?”
Yeah! For real!
“Oh, that’s amazing!”
So, when my editor sent me the assignment to interview you, I was like: I know who you are, thanks to my formal education! Which is probably the only way my film degree is actually helping me out right now. So, this is a full-circle moment for me.
“Isn’t it incredible that it comes full-circle like that? It’s a sign that you’re on the right path! I swear: it’s confirmation that you’re on the right path because you don’t get many of those, let me tell you!”
I was like: it’s a Christmas miracle!
“It’s a Christmas miracle! It’s absolutely incredible—thank you for sharing that.”
What my professor talked about—and looking at your resume—you take on such physically strong characters and you exude power, and it’s without sacrificing femininity, and you’re demonstrating that power, strength, and femininity aren’t mutually exclusive ideas. Which is basically my long-winded way of asking: how did you find yourself working within the action genre, and what keeps drawing you back to it?
“That’s a very good question! I’ve always had a tremendous, obnoxiously copious amount of energy. (laughs) I make the joke that if I wasn’t physically active on a daily basis, I’m like a Border Collie—I would chew the furniture! […] I also have this thing in my brain that inhibits fear. (laughs) For some reason, I’m not intimidated by going to an open mat with a bunch of, you know, two-hundred-plus-pound guys and sparring with them. […] I was always enthralled by stage-fighting. And I’ve been fortunate enough to be a martial artist for some time now—particularly Jiu-jitsu—and incorporate that onscreen and not have to use a double, face-replacement, or any sort of tricky CGI. And I’ve never seen myself as being physically [strong] despite being a woman—it’s because I’m a woman. I’ve never felt that I’m less than a man, and, because of that, [I feel] I’m able to exude that empathy, that heart, and that vulnerability.”
I imagine all of everything you just said sort of culminated in Army of One, and, to lead into the film, where did the idea for the movie come from and what inspired you to be part of the writing process?
“So, I actually came in late in the game. The director [Stephen Durham] wrote it originally with his team. When I came on board—when this was offered to me—I actually knew the executive producer from a western we did prior, and I actually knew Stephen just through mutual friends. And when he offered it to me, I took a look through the script, I took a look at everything he had put together so far, and I said, you know what, we could really elevate this material, just by adding a woman’s voice to it, [some] humour, and really elevating the action. And he had no ego about it, which, to this day, I still thank him for.”
Interview continues below trailer
So, there was a lot of collaboration between you and Durham?
“Yeah, there was a lot of collaboration with him. And when I came onboard, my husband [actor Stephen Dunlevy, who also stars] and I worked together quite a bit. We run our production company together, True Reign Productions. For those of you who aren’t aware, he’s the Egyptian from Spartacus—I married the Egyptian from Spartacus!”
My understanding is that this is your first time working both behind and in front of the camera. What was that experience like during production, in terms of trying to juggle the different hats that you have to wear?
“I discovered that that just might be where my brain belongs. Being a performer has so many obstacles, of course, as does any aspect of this industry; however, when you’re a performer, you say someone else’s lines, someone else does your hair, someone else does your makeup, someone else tells you what to wear, someone else literally has tape on the ground to show you where you should walk while you’re saying your dialogue—and then, you go home. […] I discovered [working on this film] something deep within me—that might be insanity? I don’t know?”
(laughs) Inspiration!
“But it’s the ability to be completely present in a dramatic scene, and as soon as Stephen would yell ‘Cut!’, I’d be like, ‘Cool, we need to move the light because it’s not going to match the master, also we’re drying out the sweat here so we need to add some more there, also blood continuity is not going to match what we did a couple hours ago, so when we turn around, let’s keep that in mind’—as soon as Durham would yell cut, that’s where my brain would go! The ability to compartmentalize is a really bizarre muscle that comes with practice.”
So, it’s safe to say that you’ve been bitten by the writing and producing bugs?
“Yes, and even the directorial bug. Much of the second unit—which basically turned into the acting unit—my husband and I took over. There were days where Durham would literally give us second unit so that he could prep for something else. And we would shoot the action, and I would [make creative choices]. Now more than ever, the glass ceiling is being shattered and there so many opportunities for women to have a seat at the table, and I figure: why the hell not me?”
Since it’s the season of giving, I would to shift the conversation to your non-profit organization Visual Impact Now. Can you tell our readers a little bit about the work that you do and how, if in any way, they can get involved or contribute?
“Yes, thank you so much for mentioning it! While we are unfortunately dormant right now [as a result of COVID-19], Visual Impact Now was founded on the motto that every child deserves the gift of sight. And in approximately 2008 or so, we ended up partnering with OneSight, which is the largest non-profit organization in the world for eye-care. And through that partnership, we’ve been able to host numerous eye clinics [which] involves giving visual acuities, eye exams, and actually creating and dispensing, on-site, glasses for Los Angeles Unified School District children. […] If people do want to contribute, please visit OneSight because they’re still operating internationally.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
“Going into the new year—I know that it’s been a very devastating for some, compromising for many-type of year—so going into 2021, if there’s something you’ve always wanted to try but never did, in regards to the entertainment industry, because that’s what I’m familiar with, if you’re ever curious about directing or writing or producing, but didn’t want to pay for classes or didn’t have access to the resources—just put together a little skit on your phone! Put something down and post it. Get feedback from your peers. And you’d be amazed because, now, people are craving entertainment even more than ever—and I’m still trying to figure out what TikTok is! I think there’s dancing involved?”
That in a nice movie! That you recommended for 2021?