Independent Living went behind the scenes of Gizelle to speak to four of the main actors and ask them the following questions:
1) Do you think that the character you portray has gone through some changes during the last couple of months?
2) If you had the chance to be any other character on Gizelle, which role would you choose and why?
3) Anything in common between you and your
character?
4) If you had to sit down with your character what would you tell him / her?
Kristjana Casha (Gail)
“Yes, I believe that Gail has gone through some major changes in the past months. She has become more sure of herself and more confident but also cold and detached. She now finds it very difficult to trust anyone and to reveal her vulnerablity, whereas in the beginning she was totally transparent in character and trusted everybody. She has become more daring and has learnt how to get under people's skin but she only uses that skill to get back at Claude, and not with any of the girls.
If I could, I would choose the role of Narcisa. Narcisa is a character who at first glance appears to be simply funny, outspoken and loud. In time her character unfolds to greater depths. I find her interesting, subtle and challenging.
What Gail and I have in common is that when we get really upset about something we can both react strongly and we are both unpredictable too. Otherwise we are very different .
If I could sit with Gail, I would tell her that I admire her for her strength of character; but that she is far too impulsive. She should use her brains a bit more and be smarter. I would also tell her to stop being so proud with Narcisa and have a good talk with her, as friends should do.”
Andre Penza (Dr Ramon Ellul)
“Dr Ellul has changed quite a bit. At first he was trusted but now he is surrounded by people who do not want him around anymore. He has been left alone struggling to find the answers to his many questions.
If I could play any other character I would choose Oliver. Like Oliver, I too, have experienced (more than once!) being betrayed by people who I trusted blindly. Portraying Oliver would have just been natural to me.
I think both Dr Ellul and I are determined. We both know what we want and try our best to reach our goals.
If I had to sit down with my character I would say: ‘What you did was very unprofessional, but I can understand you, as love puts you in these situations. It is in these situations that you realise whether it is true love or just an instant flame. So if that`s what you really want, then go for it!’”
Lara Azzopardi (Christina):
“4people managed to fit me exactly into the role of Christina De Savoia Dimech, a young, fresh character full of life and excitement. She is my age, my style and leads my way of life i.e, she is straightforward, down to earth and full of spirit. Life is a 'journey' which every person has to travel. Experiences in this journey are a lesson; they make every person realise that life is not as easy as it looks on the 'map'. Christina is like every other young girl of her age: she has love problems, family matters, social interactions, psychological dilemmas and peer pressure! In the beginning, life to Christina appeared as though it was a fairy tale; an easy life, money, a dream villa, adoption by a baron, which opened new doors and a pretty mother who was one of the major drawbacks in her childhood. These facts made her change from a happy-go-lucky problem free girl to a sensitive, 'life experimenting' young lady! Unfortunately, life is not so easy for her. She is lost in the middle of nowhere, in a field of revenge and betrayal .. but what would i do if i were in her shoes? Good question...I don't know! I admire Christina so much; life is slowly making her strong. After long episodes of running away from situations she is finally realizing that she has to face life with all its black outs.
I thought that Christina was going to be easy to interpret in the beginning when I was offered the part... then I realised that once again this is a challenge!
If I had to interpret another character in Gizelle I would find it hard to choose.. all the characters are evolving with a 'style'... if I really had to, I’d now go for a challenge and choose Vivienne.. multiple moods, facial expressions and characters! Every character is a challenge but vivienne actually has a good chance to bring out the talent in an actor..well done Evelyn! Evelyn was one of my tutors in drama together with Abigail and Rachel.On the other hand Carlos taught me new expressions and words! Yes this season of Gizelle is another 'journey' in my life and I’m enjoying every second of it.
Last but not least if i had to meet Christina personally and obviously would know her the way I do now, I would hug her so tight and give her a shoulder to cry on. I would try make her feel secure... this childish, pampered girl is leaving all the nice memories and dreams behind... life is like a wheel which spins, so are the good times over for her?”
Anthony Ellul (Luigi)
“Luigi seems to be going through a very unstable period. He is now more obsessed in getting through to his first wife Gizelle, through Vivienne, at any cost. He nearly isolates himself in his home and persists in this aim at the risk of not giving Vivienne the attention and cure she may need.
Once you get into a character it is difficult to see yourself in any other role. But I like playing bad guys so if I had to play another character, I would choose Sergio. My Sergio would have been different, however.
As an actor there is a bit of me in all the characters I play. So yes there is some of me in Luigi, he is persistent, vulnerable, jealous yet sensitive.
If I had to tell Luigi something it would be: ‘Take your wife on a holiday and just have fun and enjoy life!’ ”