Elizabeth Olsen Makes Her Sundance Debut

By Kelly Fisher Posted Jan 24th 2011 09:25AM

When one mentions an "Olsen," people immediately assume it's either Mary-Kate or Ashley. But it's the famous twins' younger sister, Elizabeth Olsen, who's making headlines now.

Olsen, 21, is currently taking time off from her studies at NYU, and is promoting not one, but two films at the Sundance Film Festival, according to the Huffington Post.

She gets her first glimpse of the spotlight in 'Martha Marcy May Marlene,' where she plays a young woman trying to reclaim her identity after escaping a cult. And Olsen, who, according to the Internet Movie Database, hasn't had a film role since 'The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley,' understands the importance of her new role.

"It's hard for independent films when they want to get money," Olsen told the Huffington Post. "And to have a lead be an unknown -- it's kind of a risk for people to take. And so the fact that they took that risk was like made my year, my life ... It was really exciting."

Her other film, 'Silent House,' is a unique one, especially for someone with a theater background. It's one continous shot following Olsen's character as she begins to suspect her house is haunted.

"When I was auditioning, I was like, 'Just so you know I'm used to the medium of theater, so like I can stand on my feet for this long,'" she said.

Olsen may come from a theater background, but she's no stranger to movie sets -- or paparazzi. The lenses, however, are usually focused on her 24-year-old sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley, who have been on camera since they were infants on 'Full House.'

"I just think it's crazy in general, but I want to be an actor –- and I have since I was a little girl –- and if that happens, then you figure out how to deal with it where it doesn't completely infringe upon your life," Olsen said. "I haven't experienced that personally yet. Hopefully I don't have to but I think it's a really weird part of this business."

Comments

(2)

Monday 24 January

By bellasol1124

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She's so pretty. So unlike her ugly waify sisters!!

By Julie

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She looks just like an Olson. That is one strong gene in that family. Their eyes are identical. Hope she is as successful as her sisters. (BTW, to say that MK and Ashley are ugly is so beyond wrong. Thin? yes! But they're small. They have a very special unique look. Your jealousy is showing.)

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