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If you’re in need of a feel good movie that also possesses first rate storytelling and engaging performances, Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris should do the trick. Co-star Alba Baptista talked to Deepest Dream about the feature, which she describes as “breathtaking.”
Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris features Lesley Manville as the titular character, a British housekeeper who dreams of buying her own couture Christian Dior gown.
This adventure takes her to Paris, here she encounters several people who encourage her Dior dreams. Alba Baptista is Natasha, a model who has the pressure fillled responsibility of being the face of Dior. Baptista talked to Deepest Dream about her Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris journey and also added why A Streetcar Named Desire is one of her favorite movies.
This must have been a screenplay that you immediately drew you in. It must have been an instant attraction.
Baptista: Absolutely. I thought it was a bit kismet when I got the script just because of this character I could easily relate to. The Dior fashion house of the 1950s was a decade that I really admired. I just thought it was meant to be. And luckily here we are.
Did you learn a lot from working opposite Lesley Manville and Isabelle Huppert?
Baptista: One hundred percent. You always learn a lot if you choose to and in this film it was easily an environment of growth. It was a surreal experience – beyond words. Beautiful. And to have the honor to work with these great actors and for all the departments. It was a phenomenal film set.
It was very easy to be immersed into this universe. I feel very fortunate to have had that experience.
Audio version of the Alba Baptista interview is up on CinemAddicts:
This is also about a movie that centers about being kind and empathetic to one another. Obviously I’m sure that resonated with you.
Baptista: Absolutely. Isn’t that a beautiful message. It’s always nice to remember. I love that this film is a (woman) who is ahead of her time and who chooses to follow her dreams in a time that perhaps that is not an option for many. It’s a breathtaking film. It really is.
I review Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris with Find Your Film hosts Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes:
Along with Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris, Find Your Film also reviews the thriller She Will and spotlights two movies from director Alex Cox (Highway Patrolman, Repo Man).
Speaking of following your dreams, were you passionate about acting and as a child?
I’ve always been a fan of creativity and whatever form that might be. I loved to paint and draw and music . . . just a lot of different branches in the creativity tree. And then acting kind of came along unexpectedly and I fell in love with it.
I fell in love with the development of emotions and controlling all of that.
You mentioned on your Instagram that second two of Warrior Nun will be bloodier this time. It must be gratifying to be part of the show, no matter how physically taxing it must be.
Baptista: Yes. I loved the challenge of having to balance the physical and emotional (aspects) all together. We had the best stunt crew possible. It was an honor and it was painful physically (laughs) a lot of times. I think it’s worth it just to have the experience of that and I think the end result going to be pretty cool.
What is one of your favorite movies and what makes it special for you?
I think one of the films that really impressed me was A Streetcar Named Desire. That female performance was so breathtaking to me given that time and having a woman that is perhaps not as going through the norm of fashion at the time was something that really impressed me.
And I always kind of wanted a role like that.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you very much. Have a good day.
