Elizabeth Debicki in 'New Horizons' by Olivia Malone for Porter Edit

Actor Elizabeth Debicki covers the July 13, 2020 issue of Porter Edit, styled by Annabelle Harron in Àcheval Pampa, Bassike, Bottega Veneta, Dion Lee, Gauchère and more. Photographer Olivia Malone is behind the lens, capturing Debicki in ‘New Horizons’. Megan Logue conducts the interview.

Working with Christopher Nolan on ‘Tenet’

In the last five years alone, Elizabeth Debicki played an escort in Steve McQueen’s Widows (2018), an alien priestess in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (2017), an arms dealer’s mistress in The Night Manager (2016) and the femme fatale – albeit with a twist – in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015). Her breakout role came from playing the gamine Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmann’s high-octane adaptation of The Great Gatsby, in 2013. 

Debicki should be on the campaign trail right now promoting her new film ‘Tenet', the latest cinematic release from the acclaimed director of ‘Interstellar’, ‘Inception’, and ‘Dunkirk’ Christopher Nolan. Debicki says little about the film, except the “The extremity of the commitment and the focus — it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.” She continues: ““Working with someone like Chris, it’s a golden ticket,” she adds, mercifully. “You know it’s going to be super challenging and you know there are going to be lessons for you. Sometimes you uncover them gently and sometimes they come and bite you on the ass – for me, it was a combination of both.”

‘Tenet’ was due to open on July 17 but was rescheduled to July 31. That plan has also been shelved after New York Governor announced that cinemas will not be included in Phase 4 of reopening New York State, and particularly, New York City. Los Angeles COVID-19 is erupting again in California, although Orange County is now outpacing Los Angeles County in new infections.

Women’s rights to ‘authentic representation’ on screen

Asked if she feels a sense of momentum and positive change within the industry, Debicki’s answer is far from yes. “I think people are still working out how to do [it] honestly and organically. We have a lot of work to do before it’s not considered a deviation from the norm,” she says.

Ambassador for Women for Women International

The actor’s keen interest in women’s rights extends beyond the world of Hollywood. She thrives as an ambassador for Women for Women International, a charity focused on women in war zones.

It was traveling to Kosovo with the organization and seeing first-hand the difference it was making to people’s lives that really struck her. “The focus on sustainable change, and how they achieve it, is so intelligent and efficient,” she says. “There is a very deep understanding of the fact that, in order to create change in society, you need to empower women.” Far from simply paying lip service to the cause, Debicki is determined to be part of pushing the movement forward, both in her industry and beyond.

Read on at The Edit and shop these modern, elegant looks.