“I consider myself lucky in every sense”: Mario Casas on social networks, psychoanalysis and the TV series “Attraction”

- We are very pleased to meet with you and the fact that you came to Russia. Do you like it here?

- Thank you very much for such a warm welcome. As I said before the interview, in Russia, in Moscow there is something special. I have long felt the support of Russian viewers, they follow me on social networks, send me messages, I see a response to my films and series. Therefore, in order to express my gratitude to them, I tried to come at least for two or three days in order to have time to take pictures with everyone and say “Thank you”.

- What is the difference between Russian viewers and the rest? Some say they are darker and more closed than the Spaniards or Hispanics ...

- Yes, such an impression often develops among us, foreigners, possibly because of the Russian climate. But as I said, for many years I was very warmly received, with great love. Russian spectators have always been with me and supported me in the same way as in Spain or in Latin America. I do not see much difference.

- Did you manage to enjoy Moscow during your last trip?

- Last time I had more time. I was here, it seems, in 2013. Alex de la Iglesia and I then brought the film “Witches from Sugarramurdi” and were able to spend the whole day in the city.

And now I do not have time. I was just telling my sister that it would be nice to run away for a couple of hours and take some photos, post them on social networks so that everyone would see that we were here and that Moscow is a beautiful city.

- What did you like from what you managed to see?

- All that I managed to see is a bird's-eye view of Moscow, which opens from the hotel terrace. But, as I said, this is a beautiful city, there is something magical in it, I would like to walk for a couple of hours.

- You are actively using social networks. More recently, this was not so common. But today, wherever you are, you can post photos from there, and people will feel that they are with you, that you are familiar. Do you use social networks for this?

- Yes, but I'm not from the millennials generation. I have a brother who is 20 years old, and now he grew up on social networks. And I - no, I had a different way in terms of obtaining information.

Indeed, social networks have become available to so many people, now almost everyone uses them, young people subscribe to you. I use my pages, especially Instagram, to promote my projects, to tell viewers in which movie or series I will be filming. Sometimes I post something from my personal life - it seems to me that people like it. But still I try to orient my Instagram account to work.

- Speaking of work. The premiere of your new series "Attraction" was successfully held in Spain. Tell us about him ...

- The premiere has already taken place both in Spain and in Latin America. “Attraction” is a series that evokes emotions; it will not leave anyone indifferent. My character, Marco Moore, is a well-known businessman in Spain who is haunted by the ghosts of the past. He has many psychological injuries and a “broken” childhood - his father left the family, his mother raised him.

• © Shot from the movie “Attraction” (2019)

His ways to escape from reality are sports, an expensive car and a club where he enters into intimate relationships with different women and always hides his face. This series is often compared to the movie 50 Shades of Gray. But after watching it, people understand that this is completely different, this is a way to get away from reality. Viewers are exposed to all the fears and mental wounds of my hero. This is a serious, strong series ...

- No less important is the fact that your younger brother Oscar starred in it ...

- Yes, and he just has an incredible role - a guy with autism. I think my brother was a real discovery for the Spanish and Latin American public. After all, to embody such a character on the screen, while maintaining respect and admiration for these people - an amazing job.

I think he plays the best in the series. And the most wonderful thing for me, in addition to working with the producers of Bambu and Movistar, was that I could work with my brother.

But my hero is a very gloomy, reserved person who does not know how to empathize with others, and I could not behave with my brother in the same way as in real life. I had to pretend that he was a stranger to me, because my character does not know how to communicate with him.

And I wanted to be closer to him, hug him and behave differently with him on the set. I hope in another project we will succeed.

- Is this your first collaboration or have you already starred together?

- We have starred in the series before, though only in a couple of scenes. However, for the first time, our characters interact throughout history, all episodes of the series.

- How do you prepare for the role? Do a psychological analysis of your character to better get used to the role?

- Yes exactly. Acting is based on reincarnation as a specific hero, a person who is unlike you.

Over the years, I have been working with specialists who help me do a psychological analysis of my character, as well as myself, to prevent me from going crazy. There is an excellent coach with whom we analyze the characters of my heroes.

For example, the person I play suffered a mental trauma in childhood. And my psychologist and I are trying to figure out what exactly happened, how such an injury can be caused, and how the hero’s behavior changes throughout life. At the beginning of the story, this character appears to us rude, gloomy, but then gradually begins to unfold. Therefore, as an actor, you must be able to fully immerse yourself in the role.

- You are very young, but have already managed to star in many films, have visited different countries. How can you evaluate your life - compared to what you had 15 years ago? What feelings do you have? Maybe pride?

- First of all, I am grateful to the audience, because it is thanks to them that I am here today and continue to do what I love.

I think that I see myself differently than others perceive me.

I am still the same Mario as I was 14-18 years old: with the same character, fears, complexes, thirst for life and a craving for adventure. I stayed the same no matter what. I must admit that life is changing, but you learn to cope with it and continue to move forward. And, as I said, I was lucky: I can do what I love to do - to act in films. Therefore, the only thing I feel is gratitude.

- Sometimes, in order to understand and remember who we are, we need to return to our roots. This usually requires family and friends. And who helps you get back to basics?

“Mostly the people who have always been by my side are relatives and friends.” We have a very friendly, close-knit family. I trust my brothers and sister, but above all, my parents.

My mother is the head of the family. She is an excellent psychologist and well versed in the feelings of people, so in any difficult situation I turn to her for advice. I am still young, but went through many difficult moments in life. I think it’s very important to have someone who will lower you from heaven to earth and help to remain the person you were before you became famous.

- What was your childhood like? Why did you decide to become an actor?

- My mother always said that the actress died in her. Probably, because of her upbringing, lack of resources, or for some other reason, she did not begin to do this business, she devoted her life to another occupation. But even as a child, she awakened in me a desire to become an actor.

• Mario casas
• © RTD

Thanks to her, as a child, I began acting in commercials. I really liked it.

Some children play tennis or football. And I loved going to auditions, acting in commercials, and speaking to my parents.

I really enjoyed playing in the school theater. Perhaps it was in my blood, or it was my mother who helped me take the first step on this path. When I was 18, I lived in Barcelona, ​​and I had to make a choice: go to university or acting school. Parents advised the latter. Mom suggested trying to study as an artist, and if it doesn’t work out, transfer to a university. In fact, I was very lucky. Thank God everything turned out very well!

- The first roles you received thanks to Antonio Banderas, who saw talent in you. How it was?

- This is one of my best memories. Then I was still very young, I was about 19. At this age, you don’t understand many things. For example - what is your job, do you like it. You only learn the profession.

Antonio (Banderas. - RT ) became for me a talisman. He gave me the opportunity to star in his film, which began my career. Thanks to him, I ended up in the right place.

I also had such a story with him: somehow we were sitting at his house, and he decided to show us his directorial debut - the painting "Woman without rules." He told all of us actors that we are going to watch a movie. And it was already late, around midnight. And in half an hour I already ...

- fell asleep?

- Yes. And while I was sitting snoring, Antonio suddenly fell silent, and then said: "Here I have not missed!" Bearing in mind that he chose the right actor for a role in the film. So yes, he's great. I really appreciate and respect him. He is a true master.

- What did you learn from his experience as a director? Actor Antonio Banderas we all know ...

- In fact, not very much. I watched this film years later and I think that it was not fully understood precisely because of the special approach to directing and the poetic component. Then many did not accept him, but now anyone will say that this is a wonderful work.

Again, then I was young, I didn’t understand many things ... But Antonio is a man and an artist with a capital letter. He made the Spanish brand famous throughout the world. This is a man with a very deep philosophy, who is adored and revered in the homeland and beyond. We all have something to learn from him: modesty, intelligence, sensuality. I cannot but admire his acting and human qualities.

- Which actors and directors would you like to work with?

- With Javier Bardem, of course. And with Penelope Cruz, and with Pedro Almodovar, with Alejandro Amenabar, if we talk about directors. But for me, the best actor in the history of Spanish cinema is Bardem. He is one of the best in the world. I would really like to work with him.

By the way, I recently starred in the film “Farewell”, and there I happened to work with Javier’s brother, Carlos. He is also a first-class actor and a great person. Just recently, I told my sister: “Listen, maybe Javier will come to watch a movie with his brother? I hope he enjoys my game, ”- stuff like that. So yes, working with him is my dream.

- Do you realize your attractiveness? Probably, it happened that you were approved for the role precisely because of your appearance. Or maybe you were once denied the opposite, they said: “For this actor we have other roles”?

- No, not at all. I see myself differently when I look in the mirror. Recently, exactly the same question was asked in an interview, if not mistaken, to Brad Pitt. To which he said that he perceives himself differently, that he had many different problems: alcohol and something else ... He went to a psychologist because he had fears, a sense of self-doubt.

• Mario Casas at the premiere of "Photographer from Mauthausen" in Madrid
• © Oscar Gonzalez / ZUMAPRESS.com

And I also perceive myself differently. When I wake up in the morning, I see in the mirror not just a face, but myself - as I feel inside. So I treat myself differently than other people. But yes, indeed, I have films like Three Meters Above Sky, Palm Trees in the Snow, where I played a hero-lover. But I'm only glad about it.

I am glad that I am invited to the roles of characters that seem attractive to people. In the end, this is the task of the actor: to attract people, spectators.

If I am offered to star in films for which I will need to change my image (like now - I had to let go of my beard), do something with my appearance, for example, gain weight or lose weight - I’m only for it. They also often ask me if I would agree to the roles that they call me only because of my appearance. Yes, of course. After all, films are needed so that people watch them. This is the magic of cinema, including such legendary paintings as, for example, Legends of Autumn and The Faithful Gardener.

There will always be films that follow you. In my case, it is “Three meters above the sky”, “Palm trees in the snow”, “Ark”, where I played the hero-lover. These are roles by which I am remembered, and I am infinitely grateful for this.

- Today a film or series can be purchased on the Internet and then watch at home at any convenient time. It’s not necessary to go to the cinema anymore. What do you think of it? For actors, are these positive changes too?

- It is not yet clear. We don’t know exactly (and I don’t think anyone knows at all) where we are going. But the fact is that the world is changing, and we must do it with it.

For example, on the plane on my way here I watched TV shows that I downloaded through Netflix and Movistar. And while I watched, it dawned on me. I turned to my sister and said: “Listen, what would I do if I don’t have Netflix now.” And after all, this is the true truth.

But there is another very positive side, if we talk, for example, about Spain, where there were many unemployed in the field of culture, primarily in the cinema and on television. They were able to find themselves thanks to new technologies. Now they are in demand, which I am very happy. I believe that it’s very important for a person to work and do what they love. Everything in the world is changing, and we must too.

- Is there a role you dream about?

- We already talked about my brother Oscar. In the series "Attraction", his character is somewhat reminiscent of "Rain Man" by Dustin Hoffman, and something like Gilbert Grape performed by DiCaprio.

Many roles that I have not yet played are interesting to me precisely because they allow you to transform into a person whose character and lifestyle are fundamentally different from my own.

In my opinion, this is risky, but I would like to play such a character.

- You said that you were starting work on a new film. What will it be about?

- I can’t talk about this topic, because the work is not finished yet. But I think that we can already say that this is a psychological thriller with noir elements. Still on the way there is one series that is expected for Christmas, but for now we must keep all the details secret. Although once the actors could speak on any topic.

• © Shot from the film "Palm Trees in the Snow" (2015)

The rules change, and you can’t joke with such things. But, as I already said, on November 8 the film “Farewell” by director Paco Cabezas with my participation is released. I starred with him in Neon Flesh. In addition, Netflix will have another movie - Home.

- Artistic?

- Yes. And the film “You Won't Kill” - it will be released next year. So a lot of interesting things are expected: new paintings and other projects on media platforms.

- Would you like to play in the theater?

“Yes, I would really like that, but honestly, I'm afraid.” I was even offered a role in the theater, but I doubt it. You need to rehearse a lot. I do not want to go on stage after only two to three weeks of preparation.

Work on a role takes a lot of time, but I don’t have it. I have planned a lot of trips that I cannot cancel. I am a mandatory person and I can’t quit. Therefore, not yet. But I think one day I will go on stage.

- How long did the shooting of the series “Attraction” last?

“Three or four months.” In "Attraction" eight episodes. This is one season, and we do not know if there will be a second.

During the filming, it was important for me to understand what my hero should be. When I took part in this project, it was only about one season, but everything can be. I think during the filming of the series it’s good that you know where the beginning is and where the end is. You have six hours, that is, eight episodes of 45 minutes each, to create the image of a hero. And for the actor it is interesting. Filming "Attractions" took place in the summer. It was very hot, and I'm in a suit. In August in Madrid there is a terrible heat.

In addition to my brother Oscar, Lola Duenas, Ingrid Garcia Johnson, Sylvia Alonso and other great actors participated in this project. Great composition. Viewers should like the series. I must say that he is provocative and, I think, will not leave anyone indifferent. I hope many will like it.

- Do you think sex is an art ("Sex is an art" - the slogan of the series)?

- Yes. I have a (such. - RT ) tattoo.

- True? Is it written there?

- Yes. “Sex is an art.” I make tattoos after each project with my participation - in memory of the role. After filming the series "Attraction" I did not know what to fill ...

- And they chose this phrase ...

“Perhaps this is crazy.”Sometimes I make rash decisions, but after each role, a tattoo remains on my body. And sex is really an art, among other things. And love, of course.

“Is there love in your life?”

- I am very happy and satisfied. I consider myself lucky in every sense. My relatives are also doing well, and, most importantly, they are healthy and happy. And I very.

See RTD for the full interview with Mario Casas.