EMANUELA POSTACCHINI

“Being an actress means that your personal identity remains constant and true. It's the character you portray who desperately seeks and requires that identity, not the other way around.”

— Emanuela Postacchini

Photography MIRKO MORELLI, Styling ORETTA CORBELLI

In the world of Emanuela Postacchini, success and love for acting intertwine seamlessly. The Italian actress, known for her roles in series like The Alienist and Who Is America, has been making her mark in Hollywood. As she prepares to make her presence felt once again in an upcoming project with Alexandra Cassavetes, Emanuela reflects on her relentless journey to establish herself in the cutthroat industry. As an actress, Emanuela acknowledges the daily challenges of the profession. However, she sees acting as a continuous work in progress, where success often hinges on the choices of others. She builds resilience, keeps expectations in check, and works diligently to make her dreams come true. With an unwavering commitment to growth and an insatiable thirst for exploration, she's destined to captivate audiences with her electrifying performances.

David Gargiulo __ What initially drew you to acting, and how did you start your journey in the industry?

Emanuela Postacchini __ Everything started one day when I was going to a ballet rehearsal at a local theater in Marche. I was 13 years old and my dad dropped me off earlier than usual at the theater; little did I know that this small twist of fate would change everything. As I stepped inside, I found myself surrounded by actors on the stage and they had this incredible knack for owning that space! Their performance captivated me right away. But you know what really got to me? The moments behind the scenes, when I could sneak a peek at them preparing for their acts. It was there that I saw their raw vulnerability shining through. And something inside me just clicked. I knew right then and there that I had to explore this mesmerizing world of unknown possibilities.

DG __ The USA or Italy? Where is home and why?

EP __ Italy will always be my home. America is a great country to explore, live, grow a career, test yourself and push your limits. Italy is the place of the heart. That’s where I was born and raised, where all my childhood memories are and the one place I’m always happy to go back to.

DG __ Can you share some memorable moments or experiences from your acting career that have significantly impacted you?

EP __ No doubt about it, getting to work with Sacha Baron Cohen on Who Is America was an absolute blast. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity. How often do you get to collaborate with someone like Sacha? I was part of the show for over a year, and let me tell you, it was like taking the best acting class imaginable. It was a wild ride from start to finish. The episode we recorded with OJ Simpson as a target in a suite in Las Vegas was really impactful. And that's probably an understatement! Picture this: hidden cameras everywhere, and a scene that was barely scripted. But that was the beauty of it. You get all that adrenaline and no mistakes are allowed, no second chances. That’s the way to roll!

DG __ What challenges have you faced as an actress, and how did you overcome them?

EP __ Being an actress is a journey filled with daily challenges. You often face failure, rejection, judgment, and disappointment. So, when people say, "You made it," what does that even mean? Honestly, I believe being an actress is a constant work in progress. Even the biggest stars out there probably have moments when they're not entirely satisfied with their careers. The key is not to have too many expectations and to build up your resilience. You have to realize that your life and success are often determined by the choices of others until you hit that "big" breakthrough. If you can accept that reality, then you're doing just fine. Personally, I've never been obsessed with my career. Things fell into place for me, but it's not like I sat around waiting for opportunities to come knocking. I worked my tail off to make things happen.

DG __ Is there a particular role or character that you found most challenging or rewarding to portray? If so, what made it so special?

EP __ For the past few years, I've been involved in a fascinating project with Alexandra Cassavetes. It’s a social commentary through the eyes of bloody Vampires in the era of Covid. Forget about Twilight and all that sparkle stuff. This is way darker and grittier. The story itself is incredibly intriguing, and my role in it is quite the challenge. I get to portray a character who goes through a dramatic transformation as the narrative unfolds. I have not one, but two faces in this film, two lives, two names, and guess what? Even two different hair colors! It's going to be quite a ride. The movie is set to release later, and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

DG __ The Seven Faces of Jane is an interesting experimental film currently available on Amazon Prime. The concept is unusual and intriguing. Could you tell us about the project and how it was starring as Valentina?

“Whether it's exploring the darker aspects of life or the brighter ones, you have to be fearless in sharing those emotions with the audience […] It's through that vulnerability and openness that the most powerful performances are born.”

Total look ABODI, shoes FRANCESCA BELLAVITA.

EP __ The Seven Faces of Jane is truly a one-of-a-kind project. It takes inspiration from the drawing game "exquisite corpse," where words or images are collectively assembled. Roman Coppola had always wanted to explore this concept in a film, and I'm thrilled that he finally did. The movie is a road trip adventure, and I play Valentina, a hitchhiker who’s disillusioned with men in life. She's a free-spirited woman, a dreamer, and an explorer. Her journey kicks off when she hitches a ride with Jane, portrayed by the incredible Gillian Jacobs. Together, they embark on a ride filled with deep conversations about life, loneliness, and so much more. Working with Gillian was an absolute joy. She's a great actress, bringing such depth and authenticity to her performances.

DG __ How did you prepare for the role of Valentina?

EP __ This role was all about freedom. I didn't need to follow any rule book to prepare for it. It was all about living in the moment and going with the flow. No restrictions, no boundaries. Just me, my fantasies, my hopes, and the feeling of being free.

DG __ As an actress, how do you navigate the balance between your personal identity and the various characters you portray?

EP __ Being an actress means that your personal identity remains constant and true. It's the character you portray who desperately seeks and requires that identity, not the other way around. It's a creative process that involves drawing from your own life experiences, both the joys and the pains, the traumas and the moments of happiness. You have to embrace all of it and use it to shape and build a character. It's about delving deep into those intimate, sometimes painful, hidden corners of yourself. That's where the magic happens, where you can create something truly remarkable. Whether it's exploring the darker aspects of life or the brighter ones, you have to be fearless in sharing those emotions with the audience or the camera during the filming process. It's through that vulnerability and openness that the most powerful performances are born.

DG __ How do you handle criticism or feedback regarding your performances? How has it contributed to your growth as an actress?

EP __ Criticism is actually essential when it comes to performances. Personally, I've learned so much from it. I never saw criticism as something negative. Whenever I attend auditions, I always make sure to ask my managers and agents for feedback from the casting team. It's incredibly helpful in understanding certain aspects and improving my craft. There's this quote that really resonates with me: "There's only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing."

DG __ Are there any specific skills or abilities you've acquired through your acting career that you've found unexpectedly useful in other aspects of your life?

EP __ I have a knack for foreign languages since I studied Languages and International Cultures in college. Acting has given me the opportunity to put those language skills to use and have a blast with it. It's like a playground for me, especially when it comes to playing around with European accents. For instance, my role in the Netflix series The Alienist where I portrayed a French character, and even though the show was in English, I had to pull off a French accent. It was quite the challenge, but I embraced it and became something of an "expert" in different accents along the way.

DG __ Your new movie Robots is available for streaming on several platforms. In the movie, you play Francesca, could you tell us about the movie and the role?

EP __ Robots is truly something special. I had the opportunity to collaborate again with the director, Anthony Hines. I previously worked with Anthony on Who Is America alongside Sacha Baron Cohen. Anthony is a comedy genius. His brilliance shines through in everything he does, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this project. Anthony has been working with Sacha as screenwriter and producer since the very beginning, with works like Borat, Ali G, and Bruno, just to name a few. I have huge respect for his work. Robots is the story of a womanizer, played by Jack Whitehall, and a gold digger portrayed by Shaileene Woodley. These two unlikely allies team up to chase down their robot double. I play the role of Francesca, the mean ex-girlfriend and the reason why Charles, Jack Whitehall, reality will suddenly shift. Get ready to have fun!

DG __ How do you stay motivated and inspired in an industry that can often be demanding and competitive?

EP __ I simply follow my heart and do things that bring me joy. I don’t expect anything and do what I do because it genuinely makes me happy. And you know what? If one day I wake up and find that this world no longer fulfills my needs or brings me happiness, I'll be okay with saying goodbye. I’m in control of my emotions.

DG __ Are there any genres or types of characters you haven't explored yet but would like to in the future?

EP __ I’d love to get cast in a horror movie. Suspiria style. Dario Argento’s style. Or even better, imagine being a part of a remake of one of my all-time favorite films, like The Eyes of Laura Mars.That movie offers such a fantastic character to portray, and Faye Dunaway's performance in it is pure perfection. It would be an incredible opportunity to step into those shoes and bring my own interpretation to the role. I can't help but get excited just thinking about it!

Photography Mirko Morelli, Stylist Oretta Corbelli, Interview David Gargiulo, Talent Emanuela Postacchini, Press Office MPunto comunicazione.