IN CONVERSATION WITH PABLO LOUAZEL

interview MAREK BARTEK

Actor Pablo Louazel most recently starred in the Spanish film ‘Menudas piezas’. Audiences previously got to know him in his guest role in the hit series ‘Élite’, and short films ‘Tótem Loba’ and ‘Venus no es Santo’. Next up, we’ll be seeing Pablo in the series ‘Mar afuera’.

You made your film debut as Diego in the film 'Menudas piezas.' Can you share what it was like to land this role and your experience working on such a successful film?
The casting process was very long. I had a lot of unanswered self-tapes and a fear of the profession  breathing on my back. I hesitated to send it in, it felt like yet another disappointment. My flatmate put a bottle of wine on the table and forced me to do it. This character was very distant from me. I decided to play and take a risk, to feel capable of composing this character. There are always fears  and insecurities when starting a new project, or pressure to live up to what the team needs, especially as it is one of my first big projects. On the other hand, learning from an experienced team, who have been working on shoots for so long (technical team as well as actors) allows you to gain a lot because they are machines of emotion and all the technical aspects that a filming involves. The whole experience, both getting this role and shooting the film has been filled with a lot of gratitude. It's nice to see that someone chooses you, that someone trusts in what you can bring to a project.

What was it like to work alongside actress Alexandra Jiménez in 'Menudas piezas’?
Working for so many hours with someone as professional and experienced as Alexandra was a privilege. I learned from her calmness and concentration on set. She also gives hope because you see her very detached from the whole world of paraphernalia that surrounds this profession, so on a personal level I also learned a lot from her and her values. She is focused on her projects and on doing them well. All the experience she has shows in every day of filming.

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You are currently studying at the RESAD in Madrid and have trained at schools in Spain and France. How have these different educations influenced your acting style and technique?
I've just finished my drama degree at RESAD and yes, I've done different kinds of acting courses. I'm quite a first-timer in the professional world. I arrived in Madrid having only done theatre in the town square, here I came across the professionalisation of theatre and acting. I started researching how to work with cameras because I had always loved the world of film and photography... I've tried making university shorts, unpaid projects, publicity... It's not all about school. Professional life is very different and generally much faster, you also have to learn that rhythm. Little by little, everywhere I go, I learn something new. Also, in each project you have to let go of everything you've learned to let it fill you up again. I suppose that schools are a training, but in real life we play with many other non-tangible things and that also goes hand in hand with your life situation, your age...

Training at Cours Florent in Paris is especially prestigious. How did your time there shape your approach to acting, and what were some key takeaways from that experience?
I went several times for training at "Cours Florent". Being half French on my father’s side, I've always had a great contact with French cinema and I've always wanted to take the plunge. I have to say that acting in another language is very different from the one you are used to, all the emotions are in a different place, there are many more tensions... but it's a question of time. But more than the school, what shaped me was the context, the people you surround yourself with, the city and the language. I always have a part of me wishing I could shoot something in France.

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Besides acting, you also studied singing at the Ópera de Cámara de Navarra and classical dance with Diana Casas. How have these skills contributed to your versatility as an actor?
Well, I'm not a dancer or a singer, but as I said, since I was quite young I have tried to move around a lot and acquire the basics in other disciplines. Theatre is made up of the actor's body and voice, and having agility or good notions of the body always makes it easier for you when it comes to composing characters. The time I spent in Ópera de Cámara de Navarra was like fulfilling a childhood dream. It also gave me discipline, it wasn't all play, but I loved rehearsing with singers, orchestras, learning the choreography and the songs. It was a dream because I performed with my friends in very big productions in very important theatres in Spain and Teatro Arriaga, Gayarre, Baluarte or Maestranza, places where I would love to perform again today.

Do you have any role models in the acting world, and how have they influenced your career path?
A lot of people, not only actors. They change over the years. I remember when I was a teenager, when I started to love the films of Xavier Dolan, Gaspar Noé and The Dreamers. All my childhood I watched the films of Louis de Funès and they were my reference point. Louis was also a very theatrical film actor, which is such a perfect combination. I have to say that all the new cinema that is being born now with Spanish directors like Carla Simón or Estíbaliz Urresola has blown my mind. They are perfect. Angélica Liddell in particular opened up another big world for me, as well. My artist friends are also my daily inspiration.

'Menudas piezas' has been one of the biggest hits of the year in Spanish cinemas. Do you already feel how this film's success impacts your career and opportunities in the industry?
Just because you have made a film, nothing is guaranteed. This is a background profession, with ups and downs, with periods of work and periods of emptiness. It is true that I feel better prepared and guided. And by having something to start from, the confidence in your work is different.

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As a young actor, what are your long-term career aspirations? Are there any specific genres or types of roles you are particularly drawn to?
The characters that I'm playing in films are mostly very contrary to me. It's very interesting work, but at some point I'd like to make characters closer to Pablo — rural, queer, a more auteur cinema... And although I seem to be contradicting myself because of the closeness of the characters I would like to portray, shooting something from another century would also be a dream. In the future I would love to direct, too. I have a lot of confidence in my artistic circles and that we will be able to accompany each other in our projects.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your acting journey so far, and how have you overcome these challenges?
I think all projects have equally big challenges. Moments of blocking, of not being able to incorporate the character. It's true that when I was filming ‘Menudas piezas’, I felt extra pressure because as it was my first big project, I knew that a lot of people, especially from my family or my teachers, were waiting to see the result to keep an eye on my work, and that made me feel fear and pressure to show everyone what I was capable of, what I was worth. Many times, it seems that this is not a profession that you can learn and you feel that you are not allowed to fail. Of course, I overcame it, you always overcome it. In this case, by taking the weight off the matter and letting it flow. Surrounding myself with constructive people. There will always be critics who will only create discomfort and waste your time.

What can you share about your upcoming projects? What can your fans look forward to seeing from you next?
I am very happy and looking forward to the projects I have ahead of me. I've just finished shooting ‘Mar afuera’ and I'm already in rehearsals for the fourth season of a series that you'll be able to see next year. I'm very excited and nervous to do it well and enjoy the process.

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TEAM CREDITS:

talent PABLO LOUAZEL
photographer ANDRÉS GARCÍA LUJÁN
stylist SERGI PADIAL
groomer RODRIGO GALO
photography assistant ISABEL ANDUEZA
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA
interview MAREK BARTEK