The theater caught her as a child and later the influence of her brother, the actor Álvaro Cervantes (42 seconds, Adu) was key to daring to turn the hobby into a job and today he is a reference and accomplice for her. Ángela went from TV3 (As if it were therer) to a film debut, Chavalaswhich placed her on the map of actresses with a future (the Gaudí won).
Today she awaits “nervously” the Goya gala, on February 11. “I live in a contradiction, I would be very excited about the award, but the idea of going out to speak at that moment makes me panic.” This second nomination comes to him for giving life in the maternal to Penélope, who was a very young mother and sees how the pattern repeats itself, with her pregnant 14-year-old daughter (impressive Carla Quílez, Silver Shell for Best Performance). An emotional and atypical portrait, with several real mothers in the cast.
I am shy, familiar and observant. I am good at listening, capturing the energy of the place and the people”
teenage pregnancy “If motherhood is complicated at 30, imagine yourself at 14, when you have to experience other things. But the film also leaves a positive message. That life goes on with everything, in this case it is motherhood, in another it may be a near death. With courage, pushing forward, as they have done, although it is still a tragedy. The director wrote the script based on true stories and saw that they had to be in the film. Carla (my daughter in the film) makes her debut as an actress and she is amazing, she has that tenderness and that strength, she is spectacular”.
If motherhood is complex at 30, imagine being 14 years old. But the film leaves a positive message, of courage”
Far from the stereotype “I think that my strengths are naturalness, and that there is something earthy, emotional in my characters that has connected with the public. In the maternal I was very afraid because I didn’t want to fall into the stereotype or tell the story in a superficial way. It was my great challenge, I did research work and with Pilar, the director, and the girls, who helped me a lot by telling me their story. He was crucial in creating Penelope.”
Carla Quílez, the young protagonist, and Ángela Cervantes in a scene from ‘La maternal’
Post-film reflections “Sometimes I have to remind myself that each person has their stories and if you come across a very young pregnant girl, saying or thinking ‘poor thing’ is condescending, you are putting yourself in a superior place without knowing her reality. We do not know anything about the others and before prejudging, it is better to ask ”.
The film has made me reflect that we don’t know anything about others and before prejudging, it’s better to ask”
About motherhood itself “In the face of a story like this, it is inevitable to think about motherhood itself, as a woman and because in this society there is a lot of pressure in this regard… There are many films now that deal with motherhood. There are those who receive it like: “How motherhood looks, as if it were hell!”. The opposite happens to me, it encourages me, because they provide us with more information. I know that it will not happen to me… “they had not told me that it was so hard”. Now the debate is open, motherhood is not painted as something so idyllic. These films encourage being a mother but with all the information”.
I just turned 30 and I am in a moment of reflection on what I have experienced, embracing what is to come”
in his thirties “On January 2, I turned 30 and I am reflecting on what I have experienced, embracing what is to come and being grateful for this job that I am passionate about and with vital learning that will help me. There is a lot of pressure in numbers like this. It seems that from 30 to 40 crucial things have to happen.
Strengths and weaknesses “I am shy, very affectionate, familiar. Observant, I am good at listening, capturing the energy of the place, of the people. And fearful, in terms of life experiences. At work, I have somewhat mastered the fear of exposing myself, of feeling vulnerable because of how people receive something that you have done with all your love. You have to be prepared.”
family vocation “My father says that he would have been a good actor and now that he is retiring we encourage him to try (laughs). It was my brother Álvaro who started it, we did theater when we were little. His career has been decisive in which I have also dedicated myself. I saw that it was possible, he is a reference for me. He made way for me to dare. I have more insecurities, more doubts than him, I’m not so determined. He has helped me a lot”.
Make up: Lucia Vilamalla for Guerlain
Can’t stand on others “The lack of empathy, people who do not listen.”
A wish to fulfill this year “Continue working on projects that excite me. on the set of the maternal I thought: I am an actress to tell stories like this, which make me grow at all levels, learn, immerse yourself in other minds”.
A landscape that comforts you “The sea, a small and rocky cove at any time of the year. It gives me a lot of peace.”
A hobby “Basketball. I have recovered it, we play a weekly league and I have a lot of fun. It is a way of doing sport that I like more than the gym”.
an ideal day “Getting up a little late, having breakfast (it’s my time of day) something very hipster (laughs) toast with avocado and tomato, which I love, and tea (I’ve given up coffee, I was somewhat addicted). Then read for a while, otherwise I start with the screens and speed up, they make me stupefied. Meet someone, go for a walk, buy something to eat and prepare it at home and in the afternoon, to the movies… A great plan!”
I love getting up a little late, having avocado toast for breakfast and reading for a while, so I avoid screens, which speed me up”
readings between hands “Now I’m with finally the heartby Margaret Atwood. I also read essays, therapy books. And I am a huge fan of David Trueba”.
The dictatorship of the image “I really like fashion, but it’s been quite a journey. Since last year with the nomination, the galas, I discovered a world that I didn’t know was important in the profession. A stylist helps me, but it is also a personal job, to be comfortable with yourself, with your own body and not let yourself be influenced by the dominant norm. Suddenly I had insecurities that I didn’t feel before. You have to be very attentive, it is easy to let yourself be influenced. Sometimes I find it incredible that they don’t have my sizes in some places. This issue is improving, but there is still work to be done.”
A look for the Goya “The issue of footwear conditions me because I can’t stand heels. I still don’t know how I’ll dress. I like long dresses, that mark my curves, I feel comfortable”.
Next stop “In a few days I’m going to shoot Gala Gracia’s first film in Huesca, what’s left of you, the relationship between two sisters surrounded by sheep. Intimate and rural”.
Dream roles, references “My dream is a Jennifer Lawrence-type role in The Hunger Games. I love that actress. Other references are Susi Sánchez and Carmen Machi (and it is strong because I am nominated with them). I am very inspired by her work and the way I think they understand and live the profession ”.
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