VENICE DISPATCH
Photographs by GREG WILLIAMS
Words by JANE CROWTHER
The actor grabs coffee with Greg Williams in Venice and tells Hollywood Authentic about her new film, Place To Be, and how performance has become a life saver.
‘I’ve been to Venice a few times, but never to the film festival, which is the favorite of all the actors I know,’ Pamela Anderson says as she takes a stroll around the Giudecca area of the city with Greg Williams. ‘It’s something to aspire to, so I am very grateful to be here with a film finally.’ The film that has brought the actor here is Kornél Mundruczó’s latest, Place To Be – a cross-generational road trip movie starring Ellen Burstyn, Taika Waititi and a white racing pigeon. Anderson plays Burstyn’s daughter, worried when her elderly mother disappears on a spur-of-the-moment adventure to reunite the lost pigeon with its owner.
‘Kornél Mundruczó is a beautiful and artistic director. His films are poetic and meaningful,’ she says of working with the filmmaker behind White God, Pieces of a Woman and At The Sea. ‘I have a small role but I wanted to be a part of it. And to play Ellen Burstyn’s daughter was something I couldn’t pass up. Just being near her you learn by osmosis. She is the kind of actress I wish to be. She is pure magic on screen and off. She has had the career of a legend. She has worked hard on her craft and it shows – she is my utmost inspiration.’ Burstyn was awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at Venice this year, as well as appearing in Place To Be and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s short, Flesh Impact, exploring the magnetism of Marilyn Monroe. ‘Flesh Impact was beautiful, I loved it,’ enthuses Anderson of her co-star. ‘Only she could have played the part of Marilyn at the age of 100.’
As she drinks a coffee at the Hotel Cipriani, Anderson explains how she’s been lighting a candle in the church attached to her hotel, Airelles Palladio, each morning while she’s been in Venice. It seems to speak to her feelings of gratitude and excitement for a decades-long career that keeps evolving. ‘I have my own dreams and trajectory,’ she says of picking roles to play. ‘I’m choosing projects that challenge me. I have a few things that scare me in the works – in a good way – so that feels right. It’s a mysterious world and has something to do with angels.’ She worked on four films this year so is taking the rest of the year off to support them. ‘I enjoy this part of it too. I’ve done a lot of healing. This is the reward… doing it… but also sharing your work. That’s what I find most liberating about being an actress; It has given me the vehicle to truly know and explore myself. I surprise myself.’
For Anderson, acting has become much more than simply a job. It has changed in importance as she’s grown as an artist over the years. ‘It’s a life saver. It’s better than therapy,’ she says. ‘It is cathartic – when I’m completely immersed in my work, I have no distractions. I’m in love with creating and playing… it’s alchemy. I can turn all I’ve been through into something else. I’m less worried about superficial things. It has freed me. ‘When you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good’ is a quote I love.’’
She has a diverse number of projects incoming. She recently wrapped on Somedays opposite Billy Bob Thornton, and stars in Michael Cera’s feature directorial debut, Love is not the Answer, as well as Sally Potter’s Alma, alongside Richard E. Grant. ‘Each are very different,’ Anderson says of her roles. You’ll have to wait and see – but I’m very proud of all who worked on these projects. It takes a village. From production to crew to actors and directors, it’s an amazing journey each time. I still feel so new at this, you never stop learning. I feel like a brand new starlet – excited and inspired, at the beginning of her career… It’s hard to get a movie made and the industry has changed. So I’m blessed to have found people who believe enough in each other to take risks and support film makers. Indie films are the final frontier…’
Photographs by GREG WILLIAMS
Words by JANE CROWTHER
Styling by JONATHAN ZEILER
Hair by JOHN NOLLET
Pamela wears Prada
Place To Be premiered at the 83rd Venice Film Festival
