Supernova director Harry Macqueen on what it’s really like working Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth

Supernova director Harry Macqueen reveals what it’s really like working with Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth – as he opens up about his friendship with the acclaimed actors

British film director Harry Macqueen is garnering plenty of positive reviews for his heartbreakingly beautiful film Supernova.

But the 36-year-old passed on the praise to his leading actors, and real life best friends Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth for the work.

Harry spoke to the Gold Coast Bulletin about working with the acclaimed actors on a film that centres on a couple struggling with the impact of early onset dementia on their relationship.

‘It’s beautiful of them and brave of them’: Supernova director Harry Macqueen reveals what it’s really like working with acclaimed actors and real life friends Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth

He explained the publication that script was first shown to Stanley, of The Devil Wears Prada and Spotlight fame, who fell in love with the story.

‘I didn’t know at the time that he was friends with Colin, and he suggested we speak with Colin for the other role. Colin, it turns out, had already read the script and loved it,’ he said.

The director, whose directorial debut was the 2014 film Hinterland, praised the acclaimed stars for choosing to bring his ‘comparatively small film’ to life.

Heartbreakingly beautiful performances: Harry spoke to the Gold Coast Bulletin about working with the acclaimed actors on a film that centres on a couple struggling with the impact of early onset dementia on their relationship. Tucci (left) and Firth (right) in Supernova

Heartbreakingly beautiful performances: Harry spoke to the Gold Coast Bulletin about working with the acclaimed actors on a film that centres on a couple struggling with the impact of early onset dementia on their relationship. Tucci (left) and Firth (right) in Supernova

Working with the best: The director, whose directorial debut was the 2014 film Hinterland, praised the acclaimed stars for choosing to bring his 'comparatively small film' to life

Working with the best: The director, whose directorial debut was the 2014 film Hinterland, praised the acclaimed stars for choosing to bring his ‘comparatively small film’ to life

‘This was the kind of script that maybe Stanley and Colin as actors don’t get that often and it’s beautiful of them and brave of them to actually have been involved in a film like this because it’s a small film comparatively, certainly for the stuff they do,’ he said.

‘I’m really not a very experienced director or indeed writer, and it’s exposing playing these roles and they don’t really need to do that at this stage in their careers, let’s be honest. Hats off to them for trusting this project,’ he added.

Stanley, 60, stars opposite Colin in the drama, in which he plays Tusker, a writer suffering from dementia who travels across England with partner Sam (Firth) to reunite with friends and family.

'Hats off to them for trusting this project': Harry added: 'I'm really not a very experienced director or indeed writer, and it's exposing playing these roles and they don't really need to do that at this stage in their careers, let's be honest '

‘Hats off to them for trusting this project’: Harry added: ‘I’m really not a very experienced director or indeed writer, and it’s exposing playing these roles and they don’t really need to do that at this stage in their careers, let’s be honest ‘

Emotional story: Stanley, 60, stars opposite Colin in the drama, in which he plays Tusker, a writer suffering from dementia who travels across England with partner Sam (Firth) to reunite with friends and family

Emotional story: Stanley, 60, stars opposite Colin in the drama, in which he plays Tusker, a writer suffering from dementia who travels across England with partner Sam (Firth) to reunite with friends and family

He recently told the BBC’s Graham Norton show that he believes his own performance was enhanced by working with his long-time friend Colin, 60, as they have shared so many ups and downs together in real-life.

‘He and I are both 60 years old and we’ve known each other for over 20 years.

‘And as you go through this stage of your life with children, marriages and ageing parents you have experience a lot – and a lot of that is unhappy stuff.

‘We have seen each other through those times, but also through the happiest times, That can’t help but infuse our relationship on screen.’

'That can't help but infuse our relationship on screen': Stanley recently told the BBC's Graham Norton show that he believes his own performance was enhanced by working with his long-time friend Colin, 60, as they have shared so many ups and downs together in real-life

‘That can’t help but infuse our relationship on screen’: Stanley recently told the BBC’s Graham Norton show that he believes his own performance was enhanced by working with his long-time friend Colin, 60, as they have shared so many ups and downs together in real-life