"I was a nuclear chemist for six years, but my soul chose acting—and I had to follow it."
Q. Darina, could you share the story of how your journey into acting began? What inspired you to pursue this path?
My love for acting was probably born with me. I was born in a small town in Siberia. I was always a rather hyperactive child and the only place where I could splash out my emotions was the school theater club. I was invited there completely by chance, when they saw my mini-performances during a break between classes.
And then I started to act in films a little, started working in the Moscow State Theatre and toured the world. Then I moved to the UAE, and now I continue my career here.
Q. Acting often requires emotional vulnerability. How do you mentally prepare for roles that demand deep emotional expression?
You have touched upon a very interesting and most painful topic. It is not for nothing that actors are called "a suitcase with troubles". Because of this profession, we have to keep all the most difficult memories from life on the surface, which makes people emotionally vulnerable. We remember bright events from life (good and bad), and then, when necessary, immediately take the appropriate ones out of our "suitcase".
But you need to be able to put these emotions back together later, so as not to shake your psyche. Taking care of your mental state in everyday life is extremely important for actors.For example, I can cry on camera in a minute. And in exactly the same way change emotions to the absolutely opposite. As if there is an invisible switch inside.
Previously, I did not know how to play the emotions of happiness and had to collect it piece by piece and remember it. Unfortunately, our human nature is designed in such a way that negative emotions are remembered faster and more vividly than positive ones.
Q. We see glimpses of both strength and softness in your characters. How much of your real personality seeps into your performances?
The most interesting thing is that I am absolutely different in life. That is probably why I found my harmony in acting. Some people, when they first meet me and see my different personalities (a gentle young lady, a rude street girl, caring, assertive, empathetic or thoughtful), begin to think that I act in life.
But those who have known me for a long time understand that this is who I am. I have a very large palette of emotions. And I learned to enjoy each one. This is the only way we can feel the full depth of our life.
In the acting profession, inner strength is simply necessary. There are often difficult shoots. Mentally or physically, sometimes 2 in 1. I was filming in the winter in the bitter cold at night in a swimsuit on the street. I was locked in a narrow sarcophagus with a small hole for oxygen and I had to stay there for quite a long time. It can be difficult and dangerous to work with animals on set. Once, the workers forgot to lock the cage with the tiger, and I hid in the toilet while they caught him.
Q. What’s one role you dream of playing—whether in film, theater, or even a historical figure—that you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Several years ago I played the role of Nadezhda Krupskaya - Lenin's wife (revolutionary and founder of the USSR). I was very happy and took the role very seriously.
I would like to play the role of Marie Curie - a female scientist. Nobel Prize winner. A strong and intelligent woman. Perhaps this is a response to my first profession - a nuclear chemist. Nobel Prize winner.Q. In today’s digital age, how do you view the relationship between social media and your work as an actress? Does it empower or complicate your craft?
At first it scared me. Then it became interesting. Now very often they use a person's avatar as a hologram in stores or museums. They also generate various video clips with the participation of actors' images using artificial intelligence. It looks quite weak for now. Because there is no emotional component and the whole palette of speech.
Avatar speaks exactly as if he were a robot. But it will get better with time. I have a lot of doubts about these technologies. But we cannot stop progress, so we will be friends with it and adapt to modern realities.Q. Who are the women in the industry—or outside of it—who have influenced or mentored you the most throughout your career?
If we talk about my inspirations from the industry, then it is Angelina Jolie. I especially love her work in the film "Gia". Without a doubt, it is the unrivaled Grace Kayley. The amazing Sophia Loren. The beautiful Marlene Dietrich. The icons of old Hollywood. I am inspired by the work of Monica Bellucci in the film "Malena".
There is only one person outside the industry who inspires me. This is my dear mother. She supports me very much. Sometimes she even helps me record a video for a casting. She always looks forward to my new work in cinema. She is proud of me.
If I am nervous before some important casting, I can always call and my mother will put me in the right mood. She will tell me the most correct words, and then my wings will spread, and I will be ready to conquer the world of cinema with renewed vigor.
Q. Congratulations on your appearance in Now You See Me 3! Can you tell us what it was like to be part of such a major Hollywood franchise, and what audiences can expect from your scene?
Thank you for your congratulations! It was one of the most exciting moments in my life and still is. Before, I could only dream about Hollywood and did not imagine that they would fly to the UAE.
This is my first experience working in a Hollywood project. It was very interesting to see everything from the inside. I can say that the team of the project "Now You See Me - 3" works very organized. I felt that they were one organism. The filming process was very well organized.
The scene I took part in was the final one. I played a fan of the main characters and I was lucky to be in the same frame with them. Before the scene we discussed how to do everything and rehearsed. And then they started shootings. Such moments are remembered for all life. I hope that everything will look decent on screen in November.
){kind=link}
0 Comments