Liam Mollica gives an outstanding performance in the gay coming-of-age teen drama Sunflower. He talks to me about his acting career and landing the role of Leo.
Tell us about your character, Leo.
Liam Mollica: Leo’s a seventeen-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 coming to terms with his sexuality and who he is as a person. Slowly, he discovers that he’s gay. He’s always known, but he’s in denial and trying to bury that side of himself. The story explores him navigating this and where he belongs in the world.
Did you draw on any personal life experience to create the character?
Sunflower is based on its writer and director Gabriel Carrubba. It’s about his life experience, and we worked together to create Leo’s character from his journey and perspective. My process in creating a character is to also 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 going around that I was gay. So, I kind of shared a similar experience of people talking about me that way. I was able to draw on that in playing Leo. But the representation of the character was based on Gabriel’s experience. He explained everything he went through, and I learned a lot. It was an eye-opening experience.
Liam Mollica in a scene from Sunflower
What have your gay friends said about your performance? Did you take any of their experiences or advice regarding the film?
So far, my gay friends haven’t said there’s anything wrong, which is good. A lot of people have told me how they relate to the story, and we ended up having a bit of a cry together. I feel blessed to have such supportive people around me, especially with this being my first lead role.
“He’s always known he’s gay, but he’s in denial and trying to bury that side of himself.”
In a role such as Leo’s, how do you handle working through the emotional drama?
It’s tricky, and each actor has a different approach. Luckily, I had a safe space with the director while doing those intense and emotional scenes. It’s all about building tools within myself as an actor to separate myself from the character. 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. Even when I get home, I’ll take a long shower and put on a sitcom to break away. I know that when I sit in these dark mental states, as the character, I always have the tools to navigate myself out.
Did playing the role bring you closer to understanding the journey of a gay teenager?
Absolutely. At eighteen, I moved to Sydney and lived on Oxford Street, so I got to know the queer community. But when creating 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. It was an incredible journey hearing from Gabriel. You never really 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!
Liam Mollica in a scene from Sunflower
Congratulations on winning Best Performance at the One Fluid Night LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. How did that feel?
Thank you! That was my first-ever award, and to win it for acting is quite special. You spend so long as an actor with rejections and constantly questioning if you’re good enough to be in such a competitive industry. But to be rewarded for something I’d worked so hard on is so gratifying. I was completely lost for words.
You’ve also been in Nowhere Boys, directed by Nick Verso (Invisible Boys).
It was an exciting experience being on set for Nowhere Boys, as it was my first ever role in that calibre. I remember standing on set and 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.
“At eighteen, I moved to Sydney and lived on Oxford Street, so I got to know the queer community.”
If you were gay, who would be your man crush?
It’s got to be Henry Cavill. The majority of all my crushes are ‘man’ crushes. My partner always talks to me about this because I’m in love with Henry Cavill, Paul Mescal and Timothee Chalamet and Pedro Pascal (Laughing). I love them as actors, but they are hunks!
Have you been out partying with your gay mates?
Yes, and I love it! Because 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 to be a real place of belonging. Those places made me feel safe and that I could be who I wanted to be. I was only just finding my own sexuality, and these places had a sense that you could do whatever you wanted. There was no one to judge. I don’t go clubbing anymore, but when I did, I gravitated to those places. In Melbourne, I went to Poof Doof many times, including my birthday.
As a straight man during those awkward teenage years, was there a time when you did question if you were gay?
Yeah, I was always very open to that. Because I was told I was gay so much by everyone in high school, I started questioning it myself. I thought, “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’s your irresistible go-to dance floor song?
Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine gets me ramped up. I don’t know what it is about that song, but it makes me feel like throwing my hands up in the air and cheering. It screams of freedom and letting go.
Luke J. Morgan and Liam Mollica in a scene from Sunflower
Who’s your music diva?
It must be Florence Welch. But I always 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 for inspiration. Since I began acting at twelve years old, it has been Hugh Jackman. I remember hearing about this incredible Aussie actor. 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?
The one I use a lot is from River Phoenix, which is “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 anything heavy. I use that in my acting as well.
How do you keep yourself fit?
I work in a gym, which is great for weightlifting. I also swim, and I love surfing. I also love going for long walks whenever I venture into foreign places!
“Because I was told I was gay so much by everyone in high school, I started questioning it myself.”
The weightlifting explains those massive quad muscles!
(Laughing) I wish I could transfer everything from my quads into my calf muscles, because they’re tiny! That’s another quote of mine, “Big dreams and small calves”.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I have very thick Italian hair that tends to go everywhere, 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, do you wear boardies or budgies?
I like the shorter boardies that will show my quads, but not too much.
What about underwear – briefs, fitted boxers or freeballs?
I’m a fitted boxers guy. They’re the most comfortable and breathable, with room to move around!
And they make your quads look great.
(Laughing) Exactly.
Stream Sunflower at SBS On Demand: sbs.com.au
Follow Liam on Instagram @liam.mollica
Liam Mollica in a scene from Sunflower
