A contemporary of the incomparable actor/director James Franco, Nina has starred alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest actors, including Golden Globe winners Winona Ryder and Jessica Chastain, Emmy winner Josh Hamilton, Lily Taylor, Heather Graham, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff and a long list of others. For someone who is only 23-years-old, Nina has accomplished more in the film industry than most people ever will. Some of her titles as an actress include the award-winning film Child of God, The Letter, About Cherry, Tar, and many more.
In addition to being an incredible actress, Nina is also a talented director with a unique vision. In 2013 Nina wrote and directed the film Jeffrey, which explores the lesser-known and more mundane aspects of the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most infamous serial killers. However, her most notable directorial title to date is the feature film Memoria, which stars Golden Globe winner James Franco and is scheduled to be released early next year.
Nina co-directed, as well as co-wrote the screenplay for the film with longtime collaborator and friend, Vladimir de Fontenay. The duo met while attending NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, one of the most prestigious film schools in the world, which boasts an alumni list that reads like a film industry who’s-who, including luminaries like Woody Allen, Oliver Stone, Joel Cohen, Martin Scorsese, Marcia Gay Harden, James Franco, and Angelina Jolie.
The screenplay for Memoria was adapted from three short stories found in James Franco’s book Palo Alto, and explores how the spirit of a once honest and kind-natured person can be completely destroyed as a result of living in an environment that is devoid of love.
Based in Palo Alto, California, Memoria centers on the life of Ivan Cohen (played by James Franco), an anti-social boy whose turbulent relationship with his mother and stepfather lead him to retreat into an imaginary world where he is able to connect with his real father, a member of the Russian military.
Personally, I am very excited about the release of the film, and am looking forward to seeing more of Nina’s work as an actress and director in the future. She is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind talent who has created a solid place for her self in the film industry.