How do you illustrate the feeling of falling deeply in love? This was the challenge faced by writer/director Nia DaCosta in adapting Henrik Ibsen’s timeless play *Hedda Gabler* into an intense sapphic romance.

*Hedda* showcases Tessa Thompson as the eponymous antiheroine, a woman who craves luxury, affection, and liberation. When her aspirations are thwarted, she turns into a clever tactician. The reappearance of Hedda’s former lover, reimagined by DaCosta as Eileen Lovborg (Nina Hoss), at a gathering hosted with her new spouse George Tesman (Tom Bateman), ignites both chaos and yearning.

As Eileen steps into the ballroom, her grace, power, and allure enthrall the audience and capture Hedda’s gaze. In conversations with DaCosta, Thompson, Hoss, and Bateman, Mashable’s Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, delved into how this moment was created.

DaCosta explained the camera technique that produces the effect of Hedda gliding toward Eileen, akin to a moth drawn to a flame. Hoss highlighted the teamwork needed for such a striking cinematic scene. Bateman compared Eileen’s arrival to the confidence of a cowboy in a Western. Thompson reflected on the difficulty of depicting this moment elegantly despite the clumsiness lurking just outside the frame.

Discover this cinematic wonder and watch *Hedda*—now streaming on Prime Video.