Sam Morelos Shines as Leading Lady in 'Summer of 69'

In an engaging interview, 19-year-old actress Sam Morelos shares her experiences while starring in the upcoming coming-of-age film 'Summer of 69', directed by Jillian Bell. Known for her role in 'That '90s Show', Morelos reflects on the pressures of taking on the lead role in such a vibrant and energetic project. She admits to feeling a significant amount of self-imposed pressure, as she views the film as another step in introducing her identity to the audience. However, she emphasizes the warmth and kindness of her cast and crew that helped ease her anxieties. Morelos praises Bell, stating that her directorial debut was nothing short of brilliant. According to Morelos, Bell is the ideal director: communicative, warm, and collaborative, effectively fostering a familial atmosphere on set. The actress relates closely to her character, Abby, revealing that 80% of Abby reflects her own personality, particularly their shared social awkwardness. An interesting aspect of the film is its approach to female sexuality, especially highlighted by Bell in her interviews. 'Summer of 69' is designed to challenge the conventions of teen comedies, which are often dominated by male perspectives on sexual experiences. Bell emphasizes the importance of showing women as sexual beings and providing a narrative where teenage girls can explore their sexual feelings in a positive light. Moreover, the film features a predominantly female cast, which Morelos found inspiring and grounding. The actresses, including Chloe Fineman and Liza Koshy, are noted as pivotal to the movie's strong female representation. Morelos reminisces about her childhood admiration for Koshy, illustrating the generational impact of representation in media. The interview sheds light on the film's balance between humor and authenticity, with Morelos mentioning that the dialogues reflect genuine conversations among teenagers about sexuality, making it relatable for the young audience. She describes the preparation for her role, including learning exotic dance moves with the help of choreographer Travis Wall, a process made even more challenging when she contracted COVID right before filming. Overall, 'Summer of 69' seems poised to resonate with audiences, especially young women seeking relatable narratives about adolescence and self-discovery. The collaboration around its creation and the depth of its dialogue hint at a refreshing take in a genre that has often prioritized male narratives. Given the film's themes and its creation process, it’s a part of the ongoing shift in Hollywood towards more inclusive storytelling.