Macarena García: "My life was a dramatic comedy, now it's a folkloric film"

At 24, she burst into the film elite like a jet, winning a Goya for Best New Actress and a Silver Shell at the San Sebastián Film Festival for her exceptional portrayal of a flamenco and mute Snow White. At 37, we have seen her shine in countless roles, yet the woman from Madrid still defines herself as a learner, exuding the same simplicity, freshness, and friendliness with which she collected her first awards. Before she received her latest award yesterday at the XXIV Benalmádena International Film Festival, she spoke to SUR.

- In a few months, your next movie 'A Child' directed by Naco Lacasa is set to premiere, what can we expect?

- It tells the story of a boy who starts having sessions with his school's child psychologist. She notices some suspicious behaviors and thinks something might be happening at his home. But it will be difficult to find answers. It's a simple, emotional film and I play a woman whom I fell in love with and who did a beautiful job.

- What kind of Macarena García will we see in 'A Child'?

- A Macarena very connected with the value of childhood. I started studying Psychology and always thought I would do something related to children. I haven't been able to do it, but I found my way to explore this universe and this profession, I think I have been able to contribute something of my perspective and my sensitivity towards the topic. It's a character driven by her work, with social difficulties, who connects much better with children than with adults. She's a very cool person.

- Throughout your career, we have seen you perform in various interpretative roles, did they come to you or did you seek them out?

- It's always both actually. I feel privileged now that I have been able to make decisions for a while, but there are times when you don't have all the options and you choose based on what you are given, what others see in you. I have tried to take on challenges or stories that needed to be told, and like all actors, I have wanted to do different things that allowed me to explore different characters.

"I crave characters that match my moment of maturity"

- Although you have already played mother roles, how do you face the moment when roles are no longer of someone so young?

- With great pleasure and eagerness. I crave characters that match my moment of maturity.

- What is the current state of women in Spanish cinema?

- Female directors are getting a lot of space, although there is still much to do, and they continue to do it with smaller budgets than men. But there are a lot of female directors who have been able to bring their perspective and who serve as a reference for everyone. I think it's a very positive moment, but I still believe there is a lack to be addressed.

- We were used to hearing non-actors always say they were 'very busy' with work, you and others have confessed that sometimes the phone doesn't ring, why this honesty in general?

- I don't know how it was before. But in general, we are talking about a reality of this profession. It has wonderful things, it's a beautiful profession, but you depend on being called, and from this, a tiny percentage earns a living. It's good to talk about it truthfully.

- Which actor or actress would you love to work with?

- With Eduard Fernández. He's wonderful, it would be an honor to share a scene and learn from him.

- Normally we see that those who succeed in cinema do not do theater, but you do, why?

- I started with High School Music, which was musical theater, then I did 'The Call', and it had been a while since I had done theater, and I wanted to reconnect again with that experience which is totally different from cinema or television, it's a unique experience, it's very magical. The encounter with the audience from a stage is so exciting... What is generated there, in that present moment that cannot be repeated, is loaded with energy, it's beautiful... as long as there are beautiful experiences, I will love to do it.

"I don't feel like an established actress. I feel like a student, an actress always starting anew; as if it were yesterday"

- When the Festival announced the award, they described you as "one of the most versatile and talented actresses of your generation", "owner of an expressive gaze and a magnetic presence"... how do you feel when you hear or read these things?

- I'm moved. I feel fortunate and privileged, it makes me very excited.

- What does the award mean to you?

- They are small boosts, little hugs that the profession gives you and that feel very good, they bring a lot of joy and strength.

- And doesn't it give you vertigo at 37 to be practically an established actress?

- [Laughs] Not at all, so it doesn't give me vertigo. I feel like a student, an actress always starting anew. Every project you start is a new character, a new director... It's a universe so different from the previous one. There is always so much to discover, so much to keep learning. It's a profession that doesn't allow you to relax, and I think that prevents you from ever feeling like an established actress, and certainly not me, who feels very much a fan and as if it were yesterday.

- In your life, are you more than an actress, a director, a screenwriter, a location manager, a stage manager...?

- In my life, I would say I am a screenwriter [laughs]. The narrative is interesting and is full of twists...

- Is it a thriller?

- Let's say it used to be a dramatic comedy and now it's a costume drama.

- So, is it maturity, then?

- Yes, of course. Suddenly things start to take a different perspective, they settle down, and you're closer to being at peace, which is really what we all want.

"I would love to work abroad, but Hollywood is neither a goal nor a dream"

- Is Hollywood a goal or a dream?

- Neither, really. It's not my dream or my goal. It could be a wonderful consequence, but it would have to come naturally. It's something I would love to experience, but not Hollywood specifically, rather working outside of Spain, in other languages, discovering other ways of working. I would really like that, but I'm not putting all my energy there, I'm putting it into being the best actress possible and continuing to do beautiful projects. And I love working in Spain, which has a wonderful industry and makes very good cinema.

- How has your relationship with Málaga been so far?

- The Festival and I have traveled several times with my family and friends. I've been there a lot, and it has always been a city that has welcomed me warmly and is very affectionate with cinema. And I have enjoyed it; it's a pleasure.

- And the next time you come, in what plan would you like to do it?

- To rest, to be calm, walking... And I would also love to return to the Film Festival. They are doing super interesting things, they always have, but in recent years I have said 'wow, what a level!'.