Q: You are currently touring with Ignasi Vidal’s production of El Ciclope (The Cyclops). Can you tell us about the story and your character (Paz)?
A: THE Cyclops talks about the crossroads of love in the 21st century. It is about the difficulties of creating links in a capitalist society and ‘quick’ reality – while still being prisoners of old fashioned standards such as romanticism.
It is a special and beautiful shaped setting with a powerful and quite necessary content. I believe that is why the tour is working so well. My character, Paz, has a complex psychology and there is a lot of work behind it so I could bring her to life. Once she was ‘built’, she flies far. Paz is a leap of faith.
Q: What has the creative process been like so far with Ignasi, his team and the cast?
A: IGNASI is supported by one of the best teams I have ever seen. They generate such a strong and trusting network that the bets get really high during the rehearsal process. They are demanding but really generous. It is like with my co-stars who are the best thing that has happened to me through this project.
Q: The trailer for your upcoming short film project with Eduardo Casanova – titled Sorry My Love – looks absolutely stunning. It gives a ‘politically incorrect’ view of events on November 22, 1963 [death of John F Kennedy]. What was your reaction when you first saw the script or heard about the project?
A: I WAS already a great admirer of Eduardo Casanova’s work. He is one of the youngest and most talented directors in Spanish territory. When he told me about what he wanted to do I thought it was as risky as it was grand. I accepted instantly.
Q: We saw Natalie Portman give a stirring performance as Jackie Kennedy in Pablo Larraín’s biopic last year. How did you approach the role and what opinion do you have of the Kennedys?
A: I DID a lot of research on Jackie because when you portray an historical character the starting point is always research. But in this case, Eduardo did not want a realistic interpretation.
Larrain’s biopic was already floating around and we did not what to get near it.
Eduardo’s work is a reinterpretation of the icon from his point of view, the way he did it with Fidel Castro on his previous short film ‘Fidel’.
My way of working focuses on research, study and embodiment of the character. I put myself at the story’s service, a dialogue with the director and what the character needs from me. An opinion is only a judgment on the character, positive or negative, which I always try to avoid.
Q: The trailer features references to our current political climate with a ‘Make America Great Again’ calendar looming. What impression do current politics have on the project? On a wider scale, how do you feel Trumpist politics will impact on art as we move through 2018?
A: SORRY My Love is a personal and transgressive vision of one of the most important episodes of the 20th century.
The fact that it is being reinterpreted from a current point of view allows us to create bridges or connections with history, but also lets us take liberties.
Conspiracy theories, secret societies, 1960s retro-futurism and even the Spanish Copla are all present on this piece – all fascinating as they are uncomfortable during such conservative times. That is why I believe in Eduardo and we have done so much together.
Q: You seem to have a keen interest in art with your Senora en Museo project and recently posting about Richard Mosse on Instagram. Where does your love for art come from? Do you draw inspiration from other artists’ work?
A: I FOUND acting through art, not the other way around. I live my profession as another expression of the creative process – always in connection and influenced by other art forms.
After attending film school in Cuba I started making a series of small pieces where I connected concepts belonging to the scenic arts to writing, photography and the audiovisual language.
That is where Señora en museo, señora horticultora, Señora panadera y Señora de la fruta came to be. I am currently working on the post-production of my second ‘electrodocumental’. The journey is beautiful. I live this creative process as an act of freedom where I allow everything to add up. No labels, no prejudices.
Q: What are your ambitions for this year and beyond?
A: THIS year is about betting big – personally and professionally. That is where I am at.
Q: Lastly, do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
A: I DO not like talking about my projects before they become public. But you will be the first to know.