The answer always lies within
As the lead character in Stratos Tzitzis’s new film «Save Me,» Maria Zorba was awarded the best actress award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in the Greek films section. It was the actress’s first role in a long feature, while the film began its career in local cinemas last Friday. How did you feel as the recipient of this year’s best actress award? I usually go into hiding when really overpowering things occur. It’s scary to get too excited. In any case, let’s keep things simple. Though I consider myself capable of doing the very best, that does not mean that I can’t make mistakes. It’s important for me to know that. Did the fact that the whole movie rested on your shoulders scare you? There was no time to be scared. Everything happened too fast. Stratos Tzitzis called me and asked me to accept the part. Meanwhile, I was preparing for a play and I didn’t want to be involved in two different things. As the play was canceled, I immersed myself in the movie. What was your life like before «Save Me?» I was born in Thessaloniki and studied at the State Theater of Northern Greece’s drama school as well as the Veaki school. In theater, I have worked with directors such as Thomas Moschopoulos, Yiannis Kakleas, Lefteris Voyadzis, Michail Marmarinos and Barbara Douka, while my film experience included working on two short films. I have also worked in radio and advertising – the latter for financial purposes in the beginning, though I grew to enjoy and appreciate it later on. How would describe your character in «Save Me?» I interpret the role of Anna, a young woman in her 30s, who is trying to cope with life in Athens. Would you describe it as a film for women? Not necessarily. Anna is someone who is not in touch with herself while the blows keep on coming from different directions, whether from her boyfriend, her friends or her job. This kind of situation is not confined solely to women. If you underestimate yourself and don’t give yourself the chance to get in touch with what you really want, then you are half a person. Your just drift in and out of situations which ultimately wear you out. And that goes for both men and women. What did you learn from Anna? That there are no role models. The answer always lies within.
