Stacey Stone’s biographical documentary, The Nona, is the inspiring story of a 93-year-old working actress who is full of life and, I suppose, could be called the female counterpart to 91-year-old William Shatner.
The Nona is Edith Fields, whose IMDB filmography begins in 1975 and features over 120 film and televisions appearances, including bit parts and featured roles in projects like St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, Seinfeld, and recently in American Crime Story, Grace and Frankie, and Modern Family.
That’s only her work in Hollywood. Edith’s love of acting was born after seeing a production of Death of a Salesman. After a chance run-in with one of the actors, Edith was encouraged to take classes at the Circle in the Square theater. After growing up in a family that frowned upon the arts, it would be Edith’s husband who pushed her into taking classes, which was the start of Field’s prolific acting career.
After moving to Los Angeles, Edith became a famous and seasoned stage actor willing the Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards and seven Drama-Logue Awards. Today, she continues to audition and book acting and voice-over roles.
“…Edith Fields, whose IMDB filmography begins in 1975 and features over 120 film and televisions appearances…”
The Nona shows that age knows no limits. Fields is one of the lucky ones to make a living doing what she loves, and that’s act. The first two acts of the documentary are pretty standard. We see Fields in action going from one audition to the next, and she tells us her story from where it all started. Director Stone peppers Fields’ storytelling with family photos and some archival images to create visual connections with her life.
To me, it’s the third act that Fields’ story gets real. Everyone was affected by the pandemic in their own unique ways, and it was particularly hard for Edith. During a Zoom session with a friend, Edith becomes deeply introspective after the passing of her husband and months in seclusion during lockdown. She reflects on her life and who she was living it for. It’s an engaging and profound moment that leads to what she plans to do for the rest of her life.
Like many independent documentaries, The Nona shines the spotlight on a fascinating person in Edith Fields…someone whose face feels familiar yet has touched an entire industry in her own sweet way.
For more information about The Nona, visit the Pace Films official website.
