Ariella Glaser is Ready to Take Flight
For Ariella Glaser, playing Sara Blum in White Bird: A Wonder Story, a Jewish teenager in Nazi-occupied France, was no small undertaking. Stepping into the shoes of a character who would grow to be portrayed by the legendary Helen Mirren, Glaser not only had to navigate the weight of historical significance but also bring a fresh, youthful vitality to the role. Speaking about her experience, Glaser is refreshingly candid, both humble and keenly aware of the complexities her character presented.
Words Bryson Edward Howe Photography Christian Trippe Styling Sian O’Donnell
Dress – A-JANE, Stud earrings – Astrid & Miyu, Silver ring – Annabel B, Star ring – Orelia
“It felt quite daunting to begin with,” Glaser admits, reflecting on how her role in White Bird: A Wonder Story marks her first major film performance. Her character, Sara, a young Jewish girl forced into hiding during World War II, sits at the intersection of fact and fiction, where history becomes intimate and personal. Sara’s journey is throbbing with life in her throat—delicate, fragile, like a white bird caught under a snow globe, juxtaposed against the harsh talon of humanity’s capacity for cruelty. Glaser explains, “I wanted to give it the best shot that I could to represent such a kind of important role.” This sense of responsibility drove Glaser to immerse herself in the story's deep historical currents. “Being Jewish as well, my family had been through sort of similar circumstances,” she shares. “I spoke to some relatives, and there were quite harrowing similarities to some of the plot points.” These personal connections were not just anecdotes or tidy explanations of an untidy world—they brought a soul-deep desire to portray Sara as more than just a character trapped in history. “She starts the story as a normal 14-year-old girl. She’s flawed, she’s not a martyr. I could imagine what I would be feeling if I was going through those sorts of things,” she notes.
“Being Jewish as well, my family had been through sort of similar circumstances. I spoke to some relatives, and there were quite harrowing similarities to some of the plot points.”
Daisy dress – Syra J., Boots – Dr Martens, Earrings – Aloë Earrings, Looped Vine ring – Bea Bongiasca @KOIBIRD, Gold stacked rings – Orelia
White Bird: A Wonder Story is a companion film to Wonder, both of which stem from R.J. Palacio’s best-selling novels. While Wonder focused on themes of acceptance and kindness within a contemporary school setting, White Bird takes that same message and extends it through the tenebrous lens of World War II. Glaser, who had been a fan of the original Wonder graphic novel, was particularly drawn to this theme. “The main themes of it are the same—small acts of kindness can have much bigger impacts than people anticipate,” she explains. This idea of kindness, Glaser believes, resonates just as strongly today. “It’s doing what film does really well,” she says, reflecting on the film’s modern relevance. “I hope it translates things that maybe people would find it easier not to think about, or not to talk about, and brings it to a modern audience in a way that’s accessible.” The timeless message of kindness, she notes, is not just relevant but urgently needed. “It’s continued and maybe even more important in the modern day.”
“Marc was amazing. He really gave us the space to make mistakes because we were all quite inexperienced.”
Ariella on working with director Marc Forster
Directed by Marc Forster, White Bird provided a creative environment that nurtured Glaser’s growth as an actor. Reflecting on the atmosphere on set, she describes Forster’s approach as one of patience and support. “Marc was amazing,” Glaser enthuses. “He really gave us the space to make mistakes because we were all quite inexperienced.” For a relatively young actor, such freedom proved invaluable. “He would say, ‘We want the audience to cry, not necessarily you to cry,’ which was useful,” she laughs. The gentle guidance allowed Glaser to find her way into Sara’s emotional journey at her own pace. “By the time we’d really started filming after rehearsals, I think I got her.”
Grey two-piece – Femponiq, Two silver rings – Annabel B, Silver hoop earrings – Mango
Glaser’s portrayal of Sara carries the audience through much of the story, only to be later picked up by Helen Mirren, who plays Sara in her older years. The transition between these two performers forms a delicate bridge, one Glaser says felt particularly surreal when Mirren herself asked for her input. “She came in the last couple of weeks of the shoot,” Glaser recalls. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to see her, but she was amazing. She was like, ‘What are some character techniques I can bring into my portrayal of Sara?’ And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is Helen Mirren asking me for acting questions!’” The exchange captures the mutual respect between the two actors, both bringing something unique to the character while ensuring Sara’s spirit remained intact across time. “We had a great chat about it, and I hope that you can see the kind of bridge between the two portrayals of the character.”
Maxi dress – C RITTER, Earrings – Aloë Earrings, Looped Vine ring – Bea Bongiasca @KOIBIRD, Gold stacked rings – Orelia
“Small acts of kindness can have much bigger impacts than people anticipate. The timeless message of kindness is not just relevant but urgently needed. It’s continued and maybe even more important in the modern day.”
Dress – A-JANE, Stud earrings – Astrid & Miyu, Silver ring – Annabel B, Star ring – Orelia
“Helen always did a thing of doing all the takes quite differently, which was just so interesting,” she recalls. Anderson, too, brought a distinctive approach, giving Glaser a glimpse into the varied methods actors use to bring characters to life. “It was reassuring to see that you can map your own way out—you know how to get the best out of your own performance.” In addition to these strains of mentorship, Glaser formed a close bond with Orlando Schwerdt, who plays Julian, a boy who befriends Sara despite the looming threat of Nazi persecution. Their chemistry, crucial to the story’s emotional core, developed naturally off-screen. “We just kind of trusted each other a lot with the more difficult scenes,” Glaser says. “Everyone was just very supportive.”
Though still feeling the weight of that "fever dream" of working with such towering figures, Glaser is taking away more than just memories from the set. From the careful crafting of Sara’s humanity to the collaborative creativity behind the camera, White Bird has solidified Glaser’s place as one of the most promising young actors on screen today. As for what’s next? Glaser will soon be joining her castmates for the film’s press run in New York. “It’ll be nice to see everyone after such a long run-up,” she says, excitement clearly building for the film’s release. For Glaser, the journey of Sara Blum may be over, but her own story is just beginning.
Grey two-piece – Femponiq, Two silver rings – Annabel B, Silver hoop earrings – Mango
Team credits
Interview Bryson Edward Howe
Photography Christian Trippe
Stylist Sian O’Donnell
Hair by Tarik Bennafla at Stella Creative Artists using L’Oreal Professionnel
Make up by Andriani Vasiliou at Stella Creative Artists using Makeup by Mario
Photo assistant Sophie Bronze
Follow Ariella on Instagram for more news on White Bird and any new projects.
The White Bird: A Wonder Story, directed by Marc Foster will be in cinemas 4th October 2024. Watch the trailer below
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