Actress

Actress is a documentary film that premiered at the True/False Film Festival in March 2014. Directed by Robert Greene, the film follows Brandy Burre, a former actress best known for her role in HBO's The Wire, as she attempts to navigate the challenges of balancing her career ambitions with her responsibilities as a mother.

The film begins with Burre reminiscing about her early days in the entertainment industry, when she enjoyed the freedom to pursue acting opportunities and travel the world. However, after she became a mother and moved to Beacon, New York, she found herself struggling to maintain that same level of creative fulfillment. Instead, she became focused on building a stable home life for herself and her children, taking on various odd jobs and raising money to support her family.

Despite these challenges, Burre continues to pursue her passion for acting, taking on small roles in local theater productions and working to rebuild her network of contacts in the industry. Over the course of the film, we see her interacting with agents, attending auditions, and participating in acting workshops, all while balancing her commitments to her family.

As we follow Burre through her daily routines, the film also explores broader themes of gender roles, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by working mothers. Burre's partner, Tim, is shown as a supportive father who takes on many of the household chores in order to allow Burre to pursue her passion for acting. Through conversations with Tim, we see Burre questioning the traditional gender roles that often assume that women should be the primary caregivers for their children.

Throughout the film, Burre's struggles with her own identity also come to the forefront. She admits that while she loves being a mother, she also misses the excitement and unpredictability of her former life as an actress. As she strives to balance these competing desires, the film raises questions about the sacrifices that women often have to make in order to fulfill their various roles in life.

Overall, Actress is a moving and intimate portrait of a woman who is trying to find her place in the world. Through its unflinching look at the challenges of motherhood and the entertainment industry, the film offers a powerful meditation on identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Whether you are a fan of Burre's work as an actress or simply interested in exploring the complexities of modern womanhood, Actress is a must-see film that is sure to leave a lasting impression.