The only thing that sounded impudent to me was the fact that I was mentioned next to the names of Olivia Coleman, Glenn Close, Amanda Seyfried or Yun Juh Jung, the first Bulgarian actress nominated for an Oscar told “24 Chasa”
– Maria, congratulations. You have felt so many people you don’t even know. How does it feel like? What did you say to Sasha Baron Cohen? Who did you share this moment with?
MARIA BAKALOVA PHOTO: JOSEPH SINCLER
–
– Thank you very much. I really hope people can feel the theme of love in Borat 2. The film is made with a lot of love and is about love – how we should love and support each other.
Sasha and I exchanged a few messages. I was in the field all day filming Judd Apatow’s new film The Bubble. In the morning he asked me:
“Are you sure?
that you don’t want to
you look
the ceremony
at the Oscars?
Do you want to separate yourself? Do you want to be out of the field? Do you want to watch it together? ” I said, “No, I don’t want to be distracted in any way.” It only sounded cheeky to me to be mentioned next to the names of Olivia Coleman, Glenn Close, Amanda Seyfried or Yun Yuh Jung, who is an amazing Korean actress with 50 years of experience. I’ve watched her movies and she’s brilliant. It seemed impossible to even hope that I could be a real contender for an Oscar.
And during the filming I had a scene with Pedro Pascal. Judd Apatow approached me and I thought, “Lord, is it so bad that he doesn’t even say it on the microphone so that others can’t hear him? I will probably scold myself! ” But he said, “Congratulations. You have your first Oscar nomination! ” Everyone started to rejoice – an even greater gift for me, because I shared this joyful moment with them. I came home directly from the photos an hour ago and we are currently with you!
– “Borat 2” is very brave, the satire is huge. There are scenes that show that Americans are only interested in money. Will they be able to laugh at themselves? And what are the real chances of winning an Oscar?
– The film can be interpreted in many aspects. Yes, many purely American issues are also affected. But the whole concept is a protest against inequality, supporting tolerance, behaving better with each other. No matter your religion, gender or country.
In the last few years, people have grown a lot. We laugh at ourselves more and more often. And a sense of self-irony is a high degree of intellect. I hope that people have really realized that behind the mask of these silly jokes and ridiculous humor are actually much more important messages. What is the function of women in the 21st century, is the topic of patriarchy relevant, do we need to change just to fit into the norms? Can a woman, in addition to being a mother, also have a profession? Of course you can.
I don’t want to think about my chances for an Oscar. Just talking and matching my name to the names of these established actresses, who are a great inspiration to me, is enough for me.
– What exactly is “Borat” – reality or hidden camera?
– There are only a few scenes that were filmed with a hidden camera, but legally. All shots in the film are with the consent and signatures of the people involved. I’m not a producer and I don’t know many details. I just
I enter the stage
and I fulfill
the role
as an actor
I would describe the film as a social experiment. It shows our true colors and essence. I was very moved by the scenes with the amazing Janice Jones (62-year-old professional babysitter. During her participation, she believes that this is a documentary on women’s rights – b.a.). Despite all the ridiculous and insulting questions I asked her, she kept giving me a chance and pulling me up. He could tell me, “Watch your work.”
– You signed a contract with one of the largest talent companies – CAA (Creative Artists Agency). How would this limit your future participation in Bulgarian cinema?
– Behind me is a huge team in the face of the CAA. When I signed with them, one of my main ideas was to pay more attention to Bulgarian artists and open the market for them. I shared it with them, they know it and they support me.
With Julian Kostov we even have several projects, one of which is very ambitious. It’s called “Freedom or Death” – a film about the Russo-Turkish war of liberation. So far, this topic has not been developed in cinema, why don’t we do it?
Julian Kostov is a lawyer for all Bulgarian talents abroad. He has been working to promote them since 10 years ago, when he moved to London.
– Do you believe in Bulgarian cinema?
– I believe, I myself come from Bulgaria. And having this platform now,
will be
take advantage of
all the attention
on me to
turn around
attention to
the talented
artists in our country
The fact is that actors from Eastern Europe are not presented in Western cinema. It is time to change that. Because we live in a time when people are cultivating diversity, and here we are. I believe in this.
– “As for the last time” is the last Bulgarian film in which you play before “Borat 2”. What does the path between the two castings look like?
– “As for the last” occupies a huge place in my heart. It was an amazing summer with great people and Ivaylo Penchev, who is an amazing person and director. Man in the first place, because it is important above all to be good people.
The paths between the two films are actually very intertwined. The castings for the Bulgarian film started in the winter of 2018, and the work on it – at the end of my graduation from NATFA. We filmed a month at sea, in which I had only a few days off. They coincided with the casting for Borat and I flew to London. But I would not have accepted the opportunity to risk traveling if Ivaylo Penchev had not let me go. I am very grateful to him for this gesture.
– Is there anything in the world for which you would exchange all your awards and successes so far?
– I work hard and try to do my best, to be prepared and disciplined.
I would be very happy if people are more tolerant of each other, treat them with love and respect. Despite our differences and thanks to them to unite. Maybe I would trade everything to make the world more beautiful. And I think that’s largely Sasha’s mission. Through his art he makes a revolution, he is ready to sacrifice his life in the name of making the world more beautiful and better.
* Questions from other media were also used in the interview.
CV
The media in the United States already call her a world superstar, she is so famous and loved.
Only 24 years old, Maria Bakalova remains in history as the first Bulgarian actress to be nominated for an Oscar. “Borat 2” is her big breakthrough, because all the significant scenes for the success of the tape are the result of her play and improvisations. Thanks to the actress, Bulgarian is the main language in a big Hollywood movie.
In a zoom meeting hours after her nomination for best actress in a supporting role, Maria Bakalova told “24 Chasa” how she understood the news.
– .
