Mira Sorvino. A name that needs no introduction. An Academy Award recipient, daughter of the brilliant Paul Sorvino and an active philanthropist. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.
The world of cinema always attracted Sorvino. She began writing and acting in small productions from a very young age and continued doing so well into her years at Harvard University. Soon after, she made the move to New York City to build her career in film. Her involvement in 1993’s Amongst Friends, primarily as an associate producer, put her on the map. Soon after, she was cast as Linda Ash in Woody Allen’s 1995 film, Mighty Aphrodite, and the rest is history. She won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and her career was up and way.
Through an amazing opportunity, The Arts Scene, along with Film Army’s Addison Wylie, sat down for a panel interview with Ms. Sorvino herself, who recently came into Toronto to promote her upcoming film, Union Square. Directed and co-written by Nancy Savoca, the film explores the journey of two estranged sisters who reluctantly meet and journey down a path where they try to understand their roots, each other and more so, themselves. It is a brilliant study of character and emotion.
Sorvino, in recent years, has become very well known for her participation in low-budget and independent films. When asked what entices her to join such productions she looked back at Amongst Friends which, as said before, really kicked off her career. “That aesthetic and spirit of: we’ve got a great script, we’ve got some talented people, we’ve got a barn, let’s make a movie!”, she said with a lovely smile on her face. “I’ve just always loved that spirit, that it’s about the work and it’s about the art of it and that the sort of earnestness of just trying to say something without it being necessarily geared towards becoming the most commercially bankable project as possible”.
Independent films have become very prominent in recent years, primarily because of the creative flexibility they provide not just to the filmmakers but also to the artists involved. Some criticize the big studios of really focusing on ‘bankable’ projects and not those that feature an artists creative talent. “There is a lot in the studio world that is based on hedging your bets and creating something based on something that’s already been done and was successful”, Sorvino began, trying to put into perspective how films are planned in this day and age. “Foreign box office numbers, a certain theme, or whatever”, giving examples of what people look at today, concluding her thought train by saying that “there’s many cooks in the kitchen”. She truly wanted to share her passion for independent film and reflecting on her own experiences mentioned that “independent films are the only place that you’re going to find that kind of experience”, ‘that’ being the amazing spirit & passion she spoke of earlier.
In Union Square, Sorvino portrays a deep and emotional character that exhibits a variety of emotions whilst lost in her own internal struggle. “There is a lot going on with her”, she said when asked about the preparation involved for the role. “I had to layer in a big back story that resonated for me, so that when I hit those moments I could have the appropriately deep responses or have the energy to drive through all the sort of high flying parts”. Noting her characters hysterical behaviour, she does go on to give another dimension to her character. “As you get to know her, you kind of find her endearing side and her intelligence kind of comes out. She’s not stupid. She’s just not managing her life very well and has this kind of overbearing quality; but, she’s ultimately got a lot of love in her heart”.
Reunion is a very big theme in this film, like many films out this year. “In our case its truly universal”, she began to explain, when asked about the theme’s reception by people. “It’s about family and I think every family has some family members that have a hard time seeing eye-to-eye or have some big conflict from their childhood or their past, that is really painful, and a lot of times they will just walk away from each other rather than work it out. That always leave a hole in your heart and its always this feeling that you wish it wasn’t that way”.
While chatting about rehearsals and filming, she shared with us some interesting facts about the film. “You know all those people are real people”, referencing the people in the background in various shots. “We didn’t have any extra’s. Those are all real New Yorkers who just happened to get caught in our scene”. A lot of them were actually interacting with me while we were walking through!” She pointed out that the entire film was shot with a Canon 5D and because of the size, people around her didn’t realize a film crew was around. “It looks like a still camera so people didn’t realize we were making a movie, which is awesome because it really had this very real atmospheric feeling to it!”
She had a lot to say about her fellow cast members, especially about the male leads. “The guys are incredibly funny and really real. I love watching Mike’s performance because he’s so kinda subtle and this happy American guy and then you just see him start to understand that things are not exactly what he thought about this family he is marrying into”, she said, trying not to laugh out loud.
Coming towards the end of our chat, we did get a chance to hear her advice for aspiring artists. “You have to believe that you are going to make it”, with a strong look on her face. “You gotta fight and work as hard as you possibly can. You have to super prepare for every audition. Don’t go in with your lines half learned. Don’t go in late”. Looking back at her academic days, she remembered what her acting teacher use to tell her: “Ask them if you can do the scene first, and talk later”, simply trying to say that go to an audition for the audition and then do all the chit chat with the folks later.
She did go on to give another important piece of advice. “With a performance, take a big chance with it. Make a big flying leap. Don’t be safe and conservative with it, and allow yourself the license to fail because what’s the worse that could happen? You can get a bad review or you could get fired and neither of those are life and death”. She continued to say that its necessary for people to take a chance, do something from the heart and then stay true to it. “If my instinct says the characters like this but, maybe, people won’t like it. Don’t do that. As long as it’s true. Stay with the truth. Take that big artistic leap. As my father use to say: just say ‘like it’. Take a big swing at it and thats the only way that you’re ever going to do something thats going to kinda sore and be your own because when your playing it safe, your never going to achieve art. Your only to going to achieve a sufficient, efficient performance but not something amazing, special or unique to you”.
It was quite an inspirational morning to sit down with a fellow film enthusiast and chat with a truly talented and passionate individual. Mira Sorvino showcases what hard work and determination can result to, leaving us with something to reflect on and truly think about.
For those who would love to hear the interview, do check out Addison Wylie’s post on Film Army’s website coming this Sunday! Please feel free to leave your thoughts below, as we’d love to know what you thought about this interview. Make sure to also check out the review of Union Square HERE.
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