EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: "The Liberator's" Maria Valverde on Edgar Ramirez, Simon Bolivar & The Oscars
"The Liberator," the hotly anticipated biopic relating the life of Latin American hero Simon Bolivar, is slated to hit theaters this weekend.
The film has also been selected as Venezuela's choice for the foreign language film submission at the 2015 Academy Awards, thus making it one of the must-see films of the weekend.
One of the highlights of the film is the performance of Maria Valverde, the Spanish actress who gives life to Bolivar's wife Maria Teresa del Toro.
She was born and raised in Madrid and got her big break in 2002 when she appeared in the leading role in Manuel Martín Cuenca's "La Flaqueza del Bolchevique (The Bolshevik's Weakness; 2003) at the age 15. She was then awarded the prestigious Goya Award for Best New Actress.
According to IMDB, she has 25 acting credits to her name including the TV Series "Hermanos." After "The Liberator," she will appear in "400 Boys," "La Carga" and Ridley Scott's "Exodus: Gods and Kings."
Latin Post had a chance to talk to her about her role and the experience of bringing the real-life character back to life:
Latin Post: What were the greatest challenges of playing this role? Most difficult scene to play?
Maria Valverde: For me, it was one the best roles that I have ever played. Maria Teresa was a very strong woman and I was very impressed about how great the plot was. I could understand my role perfectly. The best thing is that I hadn't been in Venezuela before and the audience can see "the paradise" through Maria Teresa's eyes. ... So for me, [it] was very important to be there for my first time because I lived quite the same experience that Maria Teresa did. So, everything that I got from there, I gave it to her. The most difficult scene was the one where I fell down in the middle of a storm. It was so tiring.
Latin Post: What kind of research did you do for the part?
Maria Valverde: I couldn't do so much research because there isn't any information about her at all. But Alberto and I imagined the kind of a woman who would inspire Simon Bolivar to become who he became.
Latin Post: Favorite scene to film?
Maria Valverde: My favorite scene in the film is the one where Simon and Maria Teresa eat guayaba together. ... It's full of love and you can understand the connection between them.
Latin Post: How was it to work alongside Edgar Ramirez?
Maria Valverde: It was fantastic. Edgar is an amazing actor, but an even better person. He was very generous, and he helped me so much. It was an incredible experience to work with him.
Latin Post: Did you learn anything new about Simon Bolivar while filming this movie? What was your perception of him prior to taking on the project and how did that change, if at all?
Maria Valverde: I learned everything through the process of making the film. I didn't quite know anything about Simon Bolivar because we didn't learn about him much in school. ... So, with this project, I had the opportunity to learn more about my story, too.
Latin Post: What is your next project? Is it in Spain or Latin America?
Maria Valverde: My next project is in Spain -- my first comedy called "Ahora o nunca" with Dani Rovira. Maria Ripoll, whom I really admire, is going to direct it.
I just came back from Mexico a few months ago, where I've been shooting a Mexican movie called "La Carga"
Latin Post:What was your reaction to hearing that this film would be Venezuela's official selection to submit for the Academy Awards?
Maria Valverde: Happiness. It's incredible when these things happen. So happy for Alberto Arvelo -- he deserves the best.
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