Kasia Smutniak: “A premier woman? Yes, if she is inclusive”

Kasia Smutniak, protagonist of the film The Hummingbird

The story of the film revolves around the life of a doctor, Marco Carrera (has the face of Pierfrancesco Favino), who stoically endures the low blows of life and macerates himself in the obsession of a never consumed love for a friend of his youth. Marina is his wife. “The hummingbird” puts all its energy into staying still, it is told in the book and in the film.

“I was almost afraid to face this character so as not to spoil the imaginary idea I had when reading the book. But then Francesca wanted to give a more tragic depth to her character and it seemed interesting to give her shape “says the 43-year-old actress of Polish origin, protagonist of successful films such as Perfect strangers. And as standard like Dominates in which she plays the empress Livia Drusilla (is filming the new season for Sky, the first is now in clear up La7).

Married to the producer Domenico Procacci, Kasia Smutniak has two children, 18-year-old Sophie, born from the relationship with the actor Pietro Taricone, and Leone, 8.

“I’m an atheist, but I feel spiritual”

How is she in life?
They are the exact opposite (smiles). In reality the film is almost spiritual, even if, of course, everyone sees what he wants in it. Standing still, motionless, as I learned from Buddhist monks (the actress has created a school in Nepal with the Pietro Taricone onlus, ed), does not mean not being present, but on the contrary having the ability to perceive oneself and perceive. Without having to prove anything.

Do you feel spiritual?
I am an atheist, but if you mean a person who does research, yes, I am. Spirituality is self-improvement, it is understanding the world around us. Returning to her character, Marina is perhaps the only one who strips off the narrative of her predetermined destiny. But she then she seems to run away from herself too. You have a complex personality. I was inspired by a person I know. Maybe a few years ago I wouldn’t have known how to deal with it. We actors also change and respond differently to a role. It always depends on the moment of life we ​​are going through.

Do you put a lot of your inner experience into the movies?
Sometimes yes, sometimes the bare minimum, sometimes I think I could have given more or it wasn’t worth it. Those who watch a film, however, are not always able to understand it.

“Emma Bonino lost, but her values ​​remain valid”

Another theme of the film is euthanasia: is it for or against?
I am in favor. However, it is unthinkable to imagine what one would do if it happened to us: in life, pain is unpredictable. In the film, however, there is also redemption, the dream of a better world represented by Marco Carrera’s niece, Miraijin, which in Japanese means the new man. She is very active on Instagram with 460,000 followers.

Before the elections he defended the right to abortion with an endorsement to Emma Bonino. Her party has not reached the minimum threshold of 3 percent.
Everything changes, but not what I believe in. I expose myself on issues that interest me, I have the opportunity to be heard. My posts are thought out and I feel responsible for them.

How do you see a female prime minister at the head of the government?
I don’t make it a gender issue. I don’t care and it seems to me an almost childish simplification in the general debate. Of course, from a woman I expect a greater sensitivity on already acquired rights such as that on abortion, from a woman I expect “a defense” of children, women and men who have been dying every day in the Mediterranean Sea for years now, I I look forward to a vision of a united and inclusive world that leaves no one behind. So the answer is yes, I would like to see a premier woman who has this strength and this courage.

Kasia Smutniak: “I’m a feminist, but men should ask themselves questions too”

Would you call yourself a feminist Kasia Smutniak?
Yes, even if the question should be reversed, I think the time has come to include men in the cultural debate as well. We women have always questioned ourselves, we have analyzed ourselves. What about them? Today we speak with insistence of awareness, of awareness, but their reflection is lacking, theirs is the piece that is not there. With the risk that we deny and repeat the usual mistakes.

It is considered a symbol of body positive. She took a stand against the superficial judgments of social media, on vitiligo, her autoimmune disease, declaring that she felt “strong, loved, beautiful inside and out”. At 43 how do you perceive beauty?
I am not hostile to my body changes. I don’t see myself “aged”, but mature. Now I see more positives than negatives. Especially if I look back. I left home at 15, at 16 I was already independent. Today, at 43, I feel I’ve come a long way and don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’ve spent a good part of my life having to be smarter, stronger, more prepared. Fortunately, the company has moved on in the meantime. I can’t think of starting over. Hiding the time that passes would be like denying oneself.