Exploring Tuesday With Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a Heartfelt Fairy Tale Drama

Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as Zora, the grieving mother dealing with the reality of her terminally ill daughter Tuesday, portrayed by Lola Petticrew. Directed and written by Daina O. Pusic, Tuesday is a fairy tale drama that delves deep into notions of loss, resilience, and acceptance.

The Emotional Depths of Tuesday

Speaking about the challenges of filming such intense scenes, Louis-Dreyfus mentions how she had to tap into a “very painful place.” She adds, “I’m not going to lie, it was very challenging, and I was happy to do it, to tell the story, but it wasn’t easy.” It’s clear that the film demanded much from its cast emotionally.

Behind The Scenes

Daina O. Pusic plays a crucial role in bringing this heart-rending story to life. Her direction ensures that every emotional nuance is captured authentically. This debut feature by the Croatian filmmaker has already garnered attention for its unique plot and poignant storytelling.

Lola Petticrew’s Stellar Performance

Lola Petticrew shines as Tuesday, capturing the essence of a teenager facing mortality with grace and depth. Despite their young age, they bring emotional intelligence beyond their years to the role.

Their scenes with Zora highlight a literal physical closeness and intimacy that underscores the strong bond between mother and daughter.

The Role of Parenthood

Louis-Dreyfus credits her own experiences as a mother for informing her portrayal of Zora. Reflecting on her performance, she shared that “everything about being a mother prepared me for this role.” With two sons of her own, Louis-Dreyfus brought genuine emotion and understanding to the screen.

The Unique Concept of Death

A standout aspect of Tuesday is its depiction of Death as an astonishing talking bird—a macaw—who offers wisdom. This creative choice adds an intriguing layer to the narrative and prompts viewers to engage with profound themes of mortality.

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in 2023 and has been praised for its original approach. Now showing in select theaters, it will have a nationwide release on June 14. Julia Louis-Dreyfus hopes that audiences will find both entertainment and deeper reflection in watching this touching story. As she expressed, “I think there’s a lot to be said for seeing this film with other people in a community.”