Eugenio Mastandrea: from “From Scratch” to “The Equalizer 3”

Meeting a new Italian face gaining international fame: the Netflix mini-series has something to do with it From scratch along with Zoe Saldana and her role in Equalizer 3 with Denzel Washington

His last name is similar to that of another Italian actor, but has nothing to do with Valerio Mastandrea. He is not yet thirty years old, but he has a very solid career behind him, especially in the theater field, after graduating from the Silvio D’amico National Academy of Dramatic Art. His debut on the big screen took place in the cult film ACAB Directed by Stefano Sollima in 2012. He participated in many theater productions, working with directors such as Robert Wilson in Hamlet’s car and Emma Dante Bacchae.

The turning point comes with the Rai series. Fugitivedirected by Carlo Carley, audience record for spring 2021. But fame, even internationally, comes at the end of 2022, when he becomes the male protagonist in the NETFLIX series with Zoe Saldana. From scratch – The power of love, based on the novel of the same name by Thembi Locke and directed by Nzinga Stewart. Role Wool catapulted Eugenio Mastrandrea into a new dimension, Hollywood, where a Sicilian chef falls in love with an American tourist in Florence. Cliche? Not really, because it’s a bittersweet tale where you eat, you love, and you cry.

Eugenio’s social profile is filled with positive comments for his impeccable acting, all in English and without dubbing, as well as a commendable portrait of a true Italian that touches on the theme of integrating an old-fashioned Sicilian family and Texas BIPOC. In September we will see him among the main characters of the film. Equalizer 3 Antoine Fuqua with Denzel Washington. Now we caught up with him to find out more about his experiences, his (yet to be determined) relationship with fashion, food and dreams for the future.

I was very impressed by your English, I watched the series From scratch and I said to myself: “Wow, an Italian actor who can act in English with almost no accent.” How did you manage to reach such a high level?

I’m quite comfortable learning languages ​​because I attended a Spanish school, studied English abroad, and have been listening to American rap since I was 12 years old. The most difficult thing was not to play in English, also because for the specifics of the project it was correct that the character had a good level of English, but you had to feel that he didn’t quite speak English, you had to have some kind of foreign flavor. In fact, the most difficult thing was to play in Sicilian, because Sicilian is a language that I had to learn from scratch, although this was facilitated by frequent visits to this region: playing in Sicilian, of course, was more difficult than in English.

The television series is a television adaptation of Thembi Locke’s novel. How did you prepare for this challenging role?

At first I read the novel very well. And then the script. It was fundamental for me to deal with Thembi, someone who actually lived through the events told in the book, which touch on many different themes: love, prejudice, dreams and even pain. We’re talking about two cultures meeting and trying to coexist: they have different languages ​​and sounds, different foods, two points of view on the world. The main characters love each other to such an extent that they try to meet, despite differences and mutual difficulties.

I wanted to understand well all the facets of my character. An essential part of the study and determination of character was the study of the Sicilian dialect. And also because the sounds of our mother tongue are somehow closely linked to our identity. I, for example, am from Rome, and when I express myself in the Roman dialect, or at least in the Roman language, I allow something to emerge. However, if I speak the slightly more universal Italian language, little can be learned about me.

Best and most difficult moment on set with Zoe Saldana?

In the world of acting, especially theatre, everything is run by a higher-ups, and Zoya was an extraordinary captain of the ship, a colleague with whom you could build scenes in harmony, harmony and complicity. I think she is an extraordinary actress, so everything happens spontaneously when you play with high-level actors. The most pleasant moments were when I met and talked with people who really knew Saro, that is, the real Lino, who, seeing me act, communicating with me, uttered words of praise, I felt worthy, chosen for this role. The hardest moment was definitely when my character got sick. On an emotional level it was very difficult for everyone, knowing this is a true story, plus I add the physical discomfort of almost 4 hours of makeup, glue and protective bandages to cover my hair, which left me terminally ill.

“I don’t think romantic men exist anyway, you become one because at that moment you are adventurous, you risk everything“

On social media, all the comments are positive, including a crowd of fans thanking you for making them think again about the opportunity‘romantic love. Do you like this definition of Lino? Would you follow your lover anywhere in the world?

I don’t know if romantic men exist. I believe that energies form and develop between two people, and therefore it is the result of what that person and I create together, right? How much and how our bodies vibrate together determines what can happen between two people and what may not happen again if they break up and meet other people. I don’t think romantic men exist anyway, you become one because at that moment you are adventurous, you risk everything.

Our actions change depending on who we are in front of, if it is the great love of your life, you are sure to do something, you think differently, you say things that you wouldn’t say to someone else, otherwise it wouldn’t be the same that great love of your life, huh? To answer the question about my beloved, I must love her so much that I would follow her to the ends of the earth. Honestly, I don’t know, this has never happened to me, maybe yes.

“If I had to choose a definition for myself, I would say that I am a clumsy aesthete, kind of dressed haphazardly, but maybe not at all.“

How do you get along in the kitchen, considering that in the series you are a cook, which is among‘Is there anything else that defends the excellence of Italian cuisine? Can food be an ally in love?

The fact that Italian cuisine is the best in the world is a generally accepted fact, there is no doubt about it. Had to drag me to eat sushi, not that I didn’t like it, but I don’t consider Italian food equal. Personally, I’m not at Lino’s level, but I can do it in the kitchen. Let’s say if I invite you to have dinner with me, you won’t leave my house hungry and you won’t want to look for a street food stall.

So far with fashion? What is your relationship like? What about stage costumes?

On set, clothes do their job. A suit is a great ally for an actor, not to mention it’s a lot of fun to be able to wear clothes that you wouldn’t normally wear in real life. So, whether you dress like a chef, a king or queen, an astronaut or a Jedi Master, everything helps you identify with that role.

I’m not great connoisseurLet’s say I believe that I have a sense of aesthetics, I like to combine colors, balance shapes and tones. If I had to choose a definition for myself, I would say that I am a clumsy aesthete, kind of dressed haphazardly, but maybe not at all.

“Working with actors Well done, it’s not easy, but at the same time easy because you are playing on a team with someone who is very good at passing the ball to you, blocking it, passing it back to you, scoring goals. Denzel has charisma, he has a really powerful aura and he influences everyone around him, from the actors to the production.“

Another highly anticipated role is starring opposite Denzel. Washington, what can you tell us about this character? What was it like playing with Denzel? Anything that surprised you? An experience you will treasure?

Let’s just say we can’t say much about the film due to a confidentiality agreement. This is the final chapter in the saga of Equalizer and there is great anticipation for the completion of the plot. Denzel, playing a former CIA agent, is never alone: ​​for some reason, troubles follow him even in Italy. In the events of his life, apparently in exile, I play one of the carabinieri of the command of this imaginary country, who will become entangled in the events of history. Playing with good actors is not easy because you are playing on a team with someone who is very good at passing the ball to you, blocking it, passing it back, scoring goals. Denzel has charisma, he has a really powerful aura and he influences everyone around him, from the actors to the production.

Which Italian and foreign directors and actors would you like to work with and why?AND?

I would like to work with Monica Vitti, the actress of my heart, Nino Manfredi and Vittorio Gasmann. Thinking about the living actors: Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

“I think in life you have to throw yourself, surfing in the ocean, trying not to hit your head on the sand.“

What do you dream of in the future, what are your goals? Are you going to Los Angeles to work in Hollywood?

Acting is unpredictable, you rely so much on your gaze, and I learned that by ending up playing roles I never thought I’d play. I never thought I’d be filming a series in America, I never thought I’d have to share that scene with Denzel Washington. This means that you are ready for anything, anything can happen. At the moment we can say this because the news has already come out. I’m spinning Don MatteoI’m the new captain of the carabinieri Don Matteo 3. Obviously, I could never imagine this either, so if I have to travel to Japan tomorrow for work, I wouldn’t be surprised. I remain open to any possibility. I think in life you have to throw yourself, surfing in the ocean, trying not to hit your head on the sand.

Dream in a box?

Plays in the Greek theater in Syracuse. Because as I told you before, life is unpredictable. I had the opportunity to work at Charlie Chaplin’s studio, where he made all of his films. This was part of my secret dream and I had to go to the other side of the world to make it come true. Although Syracuse is less than two hours away by plane, I have not yet achieved this professional goal. I didn’t get there and maybe I never will. To this day it remains a dream and there is a plan to go about it. Prometheus bound Aeschylus, a classic of Syracuse theater programs.

Loans

Talents: Eugenio Mastrandrea

Photographer: Erica Fava

Style: Georgia Cantarini

Stylist assistant: Federica Mele

Photographer’s assistant: Sarah Mekoni

Makeup and hairstyle: Silvia Evangelisti @Simonebelliagency

Press: Office Woolcan @woolcan_news

Special thanks to Istituto Superiore di Fotografia @stitutosuperioredifotografia

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