Liam Mollica gives an outstanding performance in the gay coming-of-age teen drama, Sunflower. He reveals his own journey of self-realisation and his man crushes!
DNA: Tell us about the gay character you play in Sunflower.
Liam Mollica: Leo’s a 17-year-old Italian boy going through the motions like every other teenager, yet to discover who and what he wants to be in this world. He’s always known he’s gay, but he’s in denial and trying to bury that side of himself. The story explores him navigating this and where he belongs.
Did you draw on any personal life experience to create the character?
Sunflower is based on the life experience of its writer and director, Gabriel Carrubba. We worked together to create Leo’s character from his perspective. My process in creating a character is also to draw from my own life, and in my high school experience, I always felt different because I loved theatre and drama. I was friends with a lot of the sporty boys, so there were a lot of rumours that I was gay. So, I kind of shared a similar experience of people talking about me that way. But the representation of the character was based on Gabriel’s experience. He explained everything he went through. It was an eye-opening experience.
What have your gay friends said about your performance?
So far, my gay friends haven’t said there’s anything wrong, which is good. A lot of people have told me they relate to the story, and we have ended up having a bit of a cry together.
In a role like this, how do you handle working through the emotional trauma?
It’s tricky, and each actor has a different approach. Luckily, I had a safe space with the director during those intense, emotional scenes. I consider the character’s circumstances and let that flow through me to acknowledge where it’s at. But afterwards, I’ll take a moment to get a clear separation. When I get home, I’ll take a long shower and put on a sitcom to break away. I sit in these dark mental states as the character but I have the tools to navigate myself out.
Playing Leo helped you appreciate the journey of a gay teenager?
Absolutely. At 18, I moved to Sydney and lived on Oxford Street, so I got to know the queer community, but making this film, I got a better understanding of what it’s like to grow up where people aren’t as accepting, and how hard it is to deal with that. Especially with family, let alone friends. You never understand exactly what someone is feeling until they’re vulnerable enough to let you in on it. It’s a beautiful thing when people can just be themselves, which is what Sunflower is about. As Gabe said, “If I can get one person who is struggling to come to terms with their sexuality, to watch this film and feel safe, then I’ll be happy.” And we have reached a lot of people!
You won Best Performance at the One Fluid Night LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. Congratulations!
Thank you! You spend so long as an actor with rejections and constantly questioning if you’re good enough to be in such a competitive industry. To be rewarded for something I’d worked so hard on is gratifying. I was completely lost for words.
You were also in Nowhere Boys, directed by Nick Verso (Invisible Boys).
It was exciting being on set for Nowhere Boys. It was my first role of that calibre. I remember being in complete awe of its magnitude. On my last day of filming, I asked Nick’s advice for an audition I had the next day. He was lovely and explained what he likes to see in an audition. It’s incredible to see how far he’s come since then.
Living on Oxford Street, you must’ve partied with your gay mates?
Yes, and I love it! I lived on Oxford Street. I was right in the middle of Mardi Gras. I was submersed among gay bars and nightclubs and found it a real place of belonging. Those places made me feel safe and that I could be who I wanted to be. In Melbourne, I went to Poof Doof many times, including on my birthday. I was still finding my own sexuality, and in those places there was a sense that you could do whatever you wanted. There was no one to judge. I gravitated to those places.
During those awkward teenage years, did you ever question if you were gay?
Yeah, I was very open to that. I was told I was gay so much by everyone in high school, I started questioning it myself. “Maybe I am gay?” Even when filming Sunflower, there was a lot of self-discovery for me. I’ve always been open to the idea of whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, love is love.
What song will always get you on the dancefloor?
Dog Days Are Over by Florence And The Machine gets me ramped up. I don’t know what it’s about, but it makes me feel like throwing my hands up in the air and cheering. It screams freedom and letting go!
Who’s your music diva?
It must be Florence Welch. But I used to blast Like A Prayer by Madonna. That was before it was in the Deadpool and Wolverine movies. I was in a huge Madonna phase until that movie ruined it for me.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the acting world?
I always look to Australian actors. Since I began acting at 12 years old, it has been Hugh Jackman. I’ve always wanted to meet and work with him. I aspire to be like him, not only as an actor, but I think he has a personality that shines through.
Do you have a favourite quote?
Yes. River Phoenix said, “Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.” I know that whatever I’m going through, if I approach the situation with love and happiness, I can get through. I use that in my acting.
How do you keep fit?
I work in a gym, which is great for weightlifting. I also swim, and I love surfing. I love going for long walks whenever I venture into foreign places.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I have very thick Italian hair so I wear a hat after I wash. It flattens my hair, making it easier to style. I then add some wax, and it sits without the waving curls. Then I wash my face and I’m out the door!
On the beach, boardies or budgies?
I like the shorter boardies that show my quads, but not too much.
Underwear: briefs, boxers or freeballing?
Fitted boxers. They’re comfortable and breathable with room to move around!
Stream Sunflower from SBS On Demand: sbs.com.au
Follow Liam on Instagram @liam.mollica
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