Sandra Guldberg Kampp Reflects on Acting Journey And Being “Proud” Of ‘Bloody Tennis’

Sandra Guldberg Kampp had an early taste of working on a film set when she was 11. At the time, she could hardly have imagined that she would one day lead an English language film or join an Assassin’s Creed production. Kampp talked to Deepest Dream about her work in Bloody Tennis, a horror tale that is now streaming on Shudder.

Read more: Sandra Guldberg Kampp Reflects on Acting Journey And Being “Proud” Of ‘Bloody Tennis’

Bloody Tennis centers on Sophie (Sandra Guldberg Kampp), a young American woman who is sent to a tennis academy in the South of Europe. The academy has its share of hungry and opportunistic tennis players, and the environment is run by the stern hand of unpredictable supervisor Mary (Elina Löwensohn). Sophie discovers that to be the best she must sacrifice her sense of comfort and overall sanity. It’s a kill or be killed (literally!) atmosphere, and Sophie is put through the ringer.

Kampp’s love for acting developed as a child, and she never thought she would get to this level in show businees. “I would’ve never dreamt about being here,” said Kampp.

Her first film experience lasted only a few days, and years passed before she acted on a set again. Theater at school helped bring the possibility back into focus. Someone told her she was good at it, and that encouragement stayed with her.

Kampp also remembers being a child with a vivid imagination, and when positive feedback came her way about acting, the dream took shape

“When you’re a kid and somebody says you’re good at something, you’re like ‘Okay,'” said Kampp. “Then I got the few days on set and I found out you can actually make money from it. That’s how I got the idea, I guess. But I was always a very wild kid running around, playing in my parents’ garden. That was sort of an epiphany – that acting could actually be a job.”

Bloody Tennis marks her first lead role in English. Kampp prepared for the film with roughly two months of tennis training before production, followed by more practice on location. She also worked out extensively to meet the physical demands of the role. That said, being a master at serving takes a bit more time. “I was told that it takes years, if you ever get it, actually,” added the actress, who previously starred in the Apple TV series Foundation. “So mine isn’t great (and) I got good at pretending. The whole timing with the ball – that’s something I should probably work 10 more years on to get that right.”

As for her thoughts on Bloody Tennis, Kampp saw the movie when it premiered at Locarno Film Festival. “I still haven’t taken it in,” said Kampp. “There’s a lot of things happening, and I was very pleased at how funny it is as well. I was a bit scared that it would become too intense, but I’m proud of our work. I still need to watch it again because it’s always weird watching yourself and forming an opinion looking at yourself.”

Full interview with Sandra Guldberg Kampp:

Bloody Tennis, co-starring Elina Löwensohn, is now streaming on Shudder.

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***I review Bloody Tennis on the latest CinemAddicts episode: