I recently sat down with two of our high school’s English teachers and self-proclaimed Harry Potter super-fans, Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Mckeough to discuss the recently released film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, directed by David Yates. In an interesting departure from the Potter series, the film takes one of the textbooks used at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and brings the author’s experience and inspiration to write about magical beasts of the Wizarding World to life. (Cool, I know!) The textbook, as seen in the Potter films, was written by a wizard named Newt Scamander, the protagonist of the film and who, until now, was only known by name. The interview conducted with Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Mckeough was funny, charismatic, and has now officially inspired me to not only see this film, but to even go back and get into Harry Potter (which had never really interested me before)! In the end, both had nothing but fantastic things to say about the film.

Interview: Jade Belli (INT) Mrs. Sullivan (MS) Mrs. Mckeough (AM)

INT: Is the movie similar to Harry Potter? If so, how similar?

AM:  In terms of style, the film is very similar to the last two Harry Potter movies, all of which have the same director, David Yates.

MS: I also found it similar to Harry Potter. One thing I found quite striking is that it was a very dark film, and that it is not intended for young children or really anyone under the age of 10, in my opinion. (Sorry kids!)

INT: What part of the storyline pulled you in? Was there one specific part of the movie that immediately had your full attention?

AM: When Newt first arrives to New York he encounters an anti-magic rally in the streets. I really liked how it mirrored the anti-drinking (temperance) movement of the time period, handing out pamphlets, making impassioned speeches against magic, etc…

MS: It had me at the very beginning! I had questions such as, “How are they going to adapt the book?” and I was intrigued by the idea of it taking place in New York in the 1920s while also including aspects of the Wizarding World.

(Interviewer note: Both mentioned how their husbands didn’t quite appreciate the film as much as they did – what a shame!)

INT: Tell me your thoughts of the main character of the film? Who is he? What were your impressions of him?

AM: His name is Newt Scamander. He’s played by Eddie Redmayne, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2015, and his character was adorable, awkward, reserved, and fiercely passionate about protecting the fantastic beasts in his charge.

MS: His (Eddie Redmayne) depiction of the character is brilliant. He took a character who is based solely on description and really brought it to life.

INT: Do you guys have a favorite character? Why are they your favorite?

(Interviewer note: Both Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Mckeough jumped at the chance to select this character before the other! Mrs. Sullivan got dibs)

MS: Queenie. She’s fun, sassy, and romantic. She has real gumption.

AM: I agree. She reminds me of Luna Lovegood. Queenie is a little bit of everything. She’s also a lost soul.

INT: Are any of the characters personally relatable? How so?

MS/AM: Jacob. He’s a non-magic, every day person who is just trying to make it in the world. He has a dream, and goes for it. When Jacob is introduced, he’s down on his luck and is the thrown into this magical world, and really embraces it.

INT: Do you have a favorite scene in the film?

AM: The scene where Newt and Tina escaped MACUSA (The Magical Congress of the United States of America), because it reminded me so much of that same edge-of-your-seat excitement when Harry, Hermione, and Ron escaped the Ministry of Magic in The Deathly Hallows Part I.

MS: NO SPOILERS!!!

INT: Can you describe the film in two words?

AM: Simply magical.

MS: Truly immersive.