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Addison Timlin at SXSW. William Callan for BuzzFeed News

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AUSTIN When Addison Timlin got the call in August that she had landed the role of Hillary Diane Rodham in When Im a Moth, she was terrified mainly because the movie would be released during Clintons administration, or so the 25-year-old actor thought.

But on Nov. 8, Timlin and the rest of the world learned that wouldnt be the case. I was so, so heartbroken, the actor said of Clintons loss. All I could think was, Oh my fucking god. I was so sad for her. Playing her and thinking about her and reading about her and listening to her when she was a young woman, she is fucking remarkable. And she is adorable and she is so well-spoken and she is so charming, really. And shes done really incredible things, always the whole time. I think shes pretty fucking great and I was devastated, especially because I thought she was super fucking capable. I dont think any of us expected what happened to happen but in that way, it kind of gives the movie another shape.

When Im a Moth, which began production in October, takes place in 1969 during the gap year Clinton took to work in Alaska before embarking on her law career but Timlin is quick to add that its not a traditional biopic. There are plenty of moments where were like, This didnt happen, she said. Its less about that time in her life and [more] about this young woman starting to have the understanding that her life from that point forward will be lived in a very specific way as to not disturb anyone to become a very well-liked person. I think it was all intentional, but I dont think it was disingenuous. I think a lot of people feel that way about Hillary Clinton, that shes always tried to be liked and thats what people have veered away from. Its interesting, but I think its something, unfortunately, women all over the world deal with in every way this tragic need to be liked.

Clinton at Wellesley College.

William Callan for BuzzFeed News, Wellesley College/Sygma via Getty Images

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Its a concept Timlin also explores in Like Me, which had its world premiere at SXSW recently and in which she plays Kiya, an artist who gains a massive social media following after posting a video of herself robbing a convenience store. I think in the world right now, everyone is seeking validation all the time and getting it, too, Timlin said. Kiyas just trying to communicate with her generation in the only way that they do. Its something she actually feels disconnected from but knows that it is the only way to connect with people, and I think thats kind of an unfortunate truth for our generation and the world right now.

While playing Kiya gave her insight into people her own age, playing Clinton became the inspiration for whom Timlin wants to be in the future. This is the story of a woman who is just starting to turn this corner where shes not afraid of being intimidating and shes not afraid to be the smartest person in the room, she said of Clinton in When Im a Moth. She wants to be the smartest person in the room and she wants to be the most powerful person in the room. Thats something Ive never sought after in my real life, but I did enjoy going to that place.

Read more from the original source:
Meet The Actor Who's Playing Young Hillary Clinton Onscreen - BuzzFeed News