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WOMEN WE LOVE: Brit Marling
My first introduction to Brit Marling went unnoticed. I remember dragging myself to the movies alone to see a film called The East because I knew Ellen Page was in it. It turns out, Brit Marling was the female lead and co-wrote the film. It wasn’t until I became enamored by her Netflix show "The OA" that I put two-and-two together and realized the connection. Since then, I have been entranced by her magic and career. She went from being a banking analyst to the woman who created one of the most original shows on television. And although "The OA" recently got the ax, Brit Marling is still a star within our dimension.
Marling was raised in Winnetka, Illinois, and early on had a passion for acting. Her parents, however, encouraged her to focus on academics, which led to her graduating as valedictorian from Georgetown University. I’m thankful her parents made her focus on school because it led her to her creative partners, Zal Batmanglij and Mike Cahill.
After turning down a job offer for the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs, she took a leap of faith and moved to Cuba with Cahill to film a documentary. This documentary later helped her gain some recognition in the entertainment industry. Marling then moved to Los Angeles with Cahill and Batmangji where she began auditioning for various roles. She quickly realized that what other people had to offer her was never going to be better than what she could provide herself. Marling said in an interview that what helped her become successful was the fact that she built a tribe of creatives with her friends in Los Angeles. She talked about how we shouldn’t be afraid to ask people for help, and that we need to destroy the idea that doing everything on your own is heroic. Her advice is one we should all cling to.
Marling isn’t afraid to take risks or do the unconventional; I mean, she gave up a life of financial security to play and be creative. In 2009, she joined a group of "freegans" -- people who reject consumerism -- so that she could learn how other young people were finding meaning in life. This was what inspired her and Batmangli to create the film The East. Marling also went on to create a film called Sound of my Voice (very much like "The OA") and the Sundance winner, Another Earth. In her movies, Marling makes you question the existence and the meaning of life. She has such an incredible mind and viewpoint that makes you want to believe in the impossible.
In 2016, her show (and my favorite Netflix original series) "The OA" debuted. It is about a girl who can travel between dimensions, near-death experiences, and believing in the impossible. It was like all of Marling’s previous work neatly packaged into one magical series for our viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, Netflix decided to say goodbye to the series, but I am still holding out for someone else to help Marling continue the story. However, if that is the end of "The OA", I know Marling will have something even better and mind-bending for us to enjoy.
The takeaway
of Marling’s story is this: You need to take risks, trust yourself,
and question society. Don’t follow the rules because everyone else
is. Think freely and be true to who you are, even if that can be a
little weird. But most of all, find your tribe, because the best
way to survive is never alone.