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Olsen Sister, Elizabeth, Stars In Psychological Thriller

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In this film image released by Fox Searchlight, Elizabeth Olsen, left, and Sarah Paulson are shown in a scene from "Martha Marcy May Marlene."  (AP/Fox Searchlight)
In this film image released by Fox Searchlight, Elizabeth Olsen, left, and Sarah Paulson are shown in a scene from "Martha Marcy May Marlene." (AP/Fox Searchlight)

One of the big buzz-generators at this year's Sundance Film Festival was "Martha Marcy May Marlene."

Starring Elizabeth Olsen (little sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley), the film follows a young woman who flees a cult-like community on a farm in the Catskills.

As she tries to make a life with her sister and her sister's husband, she's haunted by memories of the place she left and finds herself unable to adapt to the routines of her new home.

"Martha Marcy May Marlene" won a best director award at Sundance and opens in theaters Friday.

Writer-director Sean Durkin tells Here and Now producer Emiko Tamagawa that he wanted to explore the idea of what happens to someone immediately after leaving a cult.

Star Elizabeth Olsen says that her character is someone who has been so manipulated by the rules of her former life that even the simple act of eating dinner with family presents unexpected obstacles.

Guests:

  • Elizabeth Olsen, actress
  • Sean Durkin, writer and director

This segment aired on October 18, 2011.

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