Shooting Star 2008 - Hungary

Zsolt Nagy (31), who first gained attention in a supporting role in Nimród Antal’s Control, recently starred in Erik Novák’s Nosedive and plays a central role in Kaméleon, the latest film by Krisztina Goda.

Fabien Lemercier: What made you embark on a career as an actor?
Zsolt Nagy: At 17, I was doing some stage acting and my friends encouraged me to pursue this path further. I attended the Hungarian Academy of Drama and Film before joining the Chalk Circle Theatre company led by Árpád Schilling. And I had very little film experience when Philippe Grandrieux spotted me onstage in Paris. I suddenly found myself trying on clothes at Chanel without really understanding what was happening to me.

F.L.: How do you choose and prepare your roles?
Zs.N.: Courage, reflection and the desire for a challenge are deciding factors when choosing roles. I don’t attempt to transform myself. I try to focus as mush as possible on the character’s movements and gestures. I imagine him in his daily life accompanied by all his usual thoughts. In fact, my preparation involves immersing myself fully in the role.

F.L.:  Are there any actors whom you particularly admire?
Zs.N.: My favourite actors include Isabelle Huppert and the actors in Tarkovsky’s films, but I am also influenced by musicians such as Glenn Gould for example.

F.L.: You have worked on films with several directors of the Hungarian New Wave. Do you see any similarities between them?
Zs.N.: I can’t make any judgements about my own generation because we are continuously changing. But, thank heavens, these directors don’t have anything in common. They are unique and independent artists.

F.L.: What do you think about your Shooting Star nomination?
Zs.N.: It’s just a bit of fun, but I am happy that the jury selected me, particularly for Nosedive, a film for which I had to forego the role of Hamlet in a theatre production.

Fabien Lemercier

source: cineuropa.org