Hippie Hommage

Forty years on from the acid-sprinkled, cluster groove of 69's Summer of Love, Dazed Digital hung with cult starlet Kelli Garner, who got closer to the magic that most of us could ever wish to, filming Ang Lee's much anticipated movie Taking Woodstock.

Dazed Digital: So, Taking Woodstock, how was the vibe?
Kelli Garner: It was great! I was kinda locked up in a VW van splattered with psychedelic paintings, providing and tripping on acid. So... ha, I had a great time – I love the role I got to play. When we shot some of the exteriors the vibes were amazing... hundreds of extras having a blast, dressed to impress... and the presence that Ang Lee carries makes things very exciting.

DD: Was it daunting as an actress reenacting such an iconic cultural occurrence?
Kelli Garner: The hardest thing for me was making sure to not 'act' like a hippie. That was the word going around the set and since I was born in 84 you can start to doubt that you even have a clue. But I believe I am a hippie, yes, I'm absolutely a hippie, so I trusted and let it shine.

DD: How was Ang Lee to work with?
Kelli Garner: He has this very honest way of letting you know what he is not liking from your performance to get you to see what maybe he will like. I think that he likes rhythms, and when you finally get it, you feel wonderful. I remember sitting aside from all the chaos of the set late one night, kinda by myself and wrapped in down, when Ang came right up to me and sat down. And we just talked, as human beings, not about the film or about acting, but life. I will never forget that.

DD: How exciting is life right now?
Kelli Garner: Life is pretty great right now. It's exciting for me to just get to keep working in this so-called climate. It's been a rough year for the majority of people and a good time for everyone to really find what makes them happy aside from their jobs and working. I've been all about trying out different things which has also reflected in my work. I am doing this film right now that could be labelled a 'romantic comedy' which I've never really done. It's called 'Going The Distance' and it's with Justin Long and Drew Barrymore, whom I've fallen amazingly in love with – she's a beautiful woman and a total hippie. I'm all about trying my best to make smart decisions and really keep in mind that slow and steady wins the race, I'm 25... that's fucking young. I'm looking for consistency and longevity all around... and I'm finding it!