When beautiful and talented Beata Dalton landed her breakout role in the upcoming action thriller Dead Man Down, she was elated. The highly anticipated neo-noir film presented an opportunity to work with Niels Arden Oplev, the acclaimed director of the Swedish International hit The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. As Anka, the wife of a New York City enforcer, played by Colin Farrell, Dalton joins a stellar cast that also includes Terrence Howard, Noomi Rapace and Dominic Cooper. In this one-on-one interview, Dalton reveals how she landed the role, what it was like working with Colin Farrell and Niels Oplev and the many passions that drive her to grow as a versatile actress.
Did you audition for the role? What was that like?
Beata Dalton: I auditioned in Philadelphia because the film was shot there. My first audition was in the casting office and there were lots of girls auditioning for the role of Anka. The scary part was, they didn’t give me the sides (unique pages, usually taken out of a script to help actors prepare for the audition) until I got there. So I prepared with the sides on the spot and did one take with the casting director. They loved it and sent it to Niels. After a week and a half, my manager called and said you have a callback tomorrow, be in the casting office at 9 a.m. When I arrived, I was prepared for another round of casting, but it was just Niels and he offered me the part on the spot. He said, “Will you do this for us?” and then he said, “Colin is coming in, do you want to meet him?” When Niels gave me the script to read, I was disappointed that there were no kissing scenes between Colin and me.
What sides did you perform during your audition?
BD: Colin plays my husband and we have a little daughter. It was a family scene where Colin is video recording us. I was talking to our daughter and to him and we were laughing.
What do you like about playing Anka?
BD: She’s a sweet and innocent wife. The movie is built on Colin’s character missing his wife and daughter. Throughout the movie, there are flashback scenes with me and our daughter. We’re playing in the park, laughing and having a great time as a family. My role shows the gentle, beautiful side of family life and what Colin’s character misses in his life.
What was it like working with Colin?
BD: It’s great to work with someone like Colin in your first film. He’s very professional, very easy to work with and charming. It was a wonderful experience and I admire him as an actor. When they show Colin’s close-up reaction to the loss he suffered, his eyes really reveal the pain he’s going through.
What was it like working with director Niels Oplev?
BD: It was great because he’s very clear and precise on what he wants but he does it in such a nice way. He has very high standards for his actors.
Did Niels give you some latitude in terms of improv’ing?
BD: Yes, I worked on lines with Colin the day before shooting. I speak Hungarian in the movie and so does Colin. He was great when I helped him with some of the Hungarian pronunciations.
What do you like about being in a crime thriller like Dead Man Down?
BD: I’m open to doing other films, but I do like crime thrillers because they’re intriguing and they generally have lots of action. I have a quirky sense of humor so I’d like to take on some comedic roles as well.
What did you find most challenging about the role?
BD: The biggest challenging was auditioning for the role. Because you know what the stakes are. It’s a great role and a wonderful opportunity in that you get to work with Niels Oplev in his first American movie. So you prepare for the role—going through the script, working on scenes, you do all your homework. Anka is a wonderful, loving wife. She loves her husband, she loves her child. Her entire life is her family. And I can really relate to how important family is.
What inspired you to go into acting?
BD: I’ve always wanted to act. Since I was four years old, I knew what I wanted to do. I trained in New York City and Australia. For me, it’s very important to work on your craft, no matter what. Because, I feel you can always get better.
Do you like the more physical roles—with gunplay and martial arts—or do you prefer the more dramatic?
BD: I prefer the more dramatic. But that’s interesting question, because I’m very athletic. I go to the gym four or five times a week to work out. I have a personal trainer. I would love to take on a role that requires more physicality.
You recently had a baby and you now have your figure back. Do you have a special workout routine and diet?
BD: Yes. My twice-a-week workouts with my personal trainer help me de-stress and stay healthy and motivated. Working out has become a huge part of my life. I even lift weights to reduce stress. I’m also a member of Equinox health clubs. If I’ve worked out the day before, I’ll go on a treadmill for an hour and work on lines, sides and prepare for auditions. I eat a healthy diet but I also eat carbs because your have to treat yourself now and then.
What were you like in high school—introvert, extrovert? Were you in drama class, athletics? Super smart?
BD: I always wanted to be an actress, so I took a lot of dance and acting classes. I was a very active extrovert and had lots of friends. I used to watch the TV show “Fame” when I was 6 or 7. It was one of the main reasons I moved to New York. I also take singing lessons every week. It’s a passion, and I hope to be able to sing in a future film.
What do you like about American films?
BD: A lot of great films came out this year—Argo, Silver Linings Playbook. I like the action in many American films. There are some amazing actors and some great roles to be had.
What’s your next project?
BD: I’m working on a small independent movie. I can’t really talk about it. I’m also doing some theater work and want to do more of that.
Alex A. Kecskes is a published author of "Healer a Novel" available on Amazon. He has written hundreds of film reviews and celebrity interviews for a wide variety of online and print outlets. He has covered red carpet premieres and Comic-Con events for major films and independent releases.
