At the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), actor Henry Golding delved into his recent movie, Daniela Forever, and explored his perspectives on the dynamic shifts in Asian representation within the Hollywood industry.

Henry Golding talks Daniela Forever at the Toronto International Film Festival

Daniela Forever is a 2024 science-fiction romantic drama film written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo. The story follows Nicolas (Henry Golding), who grieves the loss of his girlfriend, Daniela (Beatrice Grannò), after a fatal accident. In his desperation, he joins a clinical trial for a drug that opens the door to lucid dreaming. There, he reunites with Daniela and rebuilds their life together.

However, as he sinks deeper into the dream world, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. Which leads him down a path of emotional and psychological turmoil. The film explores the complexities of grief and the lengths people will go to cope with loss. It delves into the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Also, this film further questions the consequences of escaping into an idealized world. At its core, Daniela Forever examines the enduring power of love and its profound impact on individuals, even in the face of death.

Golding describes Daniela Forever as a unique and reality-bending story. He was drawn to the film’s unique take on love and loss and the opportunity to explore a story that bends the boundaries of reality.

It’s a reality bender. It follows sort of a man who’s lost the love of his life. And he has a chance of bringing her back with this lucid dreaming sort of treatment. And so for me, it was just such a unique take on something like that.

The Allure of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Golding has ventured into sci-fi and fantasy before, notably in the holiday film Last Christmas, which incorporated elements of magical realism. He finds these genres appealing because they provide a creative escape from the constraints of reality, offering storytellers the freedom to bend the rules and create something magical and playful.

I just love the creativity. I think we should, like, tell stories that take people away from reality sometimes. It doesn’t always have to be based squarely. We can kind of bend reality, and it just becomes kind of magical. You know, it becomes sort of playful.

Celebrating the Asian Excellence Renaissance

Golding celebrates the recent surge in Asian representation in the entertainment industry. He sees it as a significant stride towards a more equitable landscape. While recognizing that the journey towards true parity is ongoing, he’s genuinely thrilled about the expanding opportunities for Asian creatives. The increasing number of Asian actors, writers, directors, and producers taking ownership of their narratives and building their own production companies fills him with optimism. Furthermore, he firmly believes this positive trend will uplift the entire Asian community, fostering an environment where success begets further success.

It’s awesome. Yeah, we’ve we’ve been really lucky. Like, everybody’s been creating, writing, directing, acting, singing. So I think we’re getting to that stage where it’s almost a level playing field. There’s always going to be a work in progress. But we got to keep going through that…

The more the more the merrier. I think, like they say, like all tides, like raised ships. I don’t know the saying, but, like, if someone succeeds, they bring the rest of everybody up with them.

Daniela Forever premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5th. Check out our list of Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies to watch at TIFF.