|
Kathy: |
Did you always want to be an actor? How old were you when you decided
that's what you wanted to do?
|
|
Mira: |
Oh, I don't know, I wanted to be many things. I wanted to study
languages, actually and that's what I did. I did that parallel to
the Academy of Theatre and Film where I went to high school. I had
a lot of various interests, but languages are my other interest.
|
|
Kathy: |
How many languages do you speak?
|
|
Mira: |
I speak German, French and some Italian.
[Ed; Not to mention great English]
|
|
Kathy: |
How did you manage to learn all that?
|
|
Mira: |
It's something that you have. And there was this whole tradition
of languages in my family. My grandmother was a professor of French
and mother and father were professors of English and it was kind
of there (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
They talk to you about it and assimilate you into that area of study
|
|
Mira: |
But then sometimes when you're a child you hate everything, you
want to be different (laughter) than your parents
and so on. But it was just a basis of linguistics and love for languages
that was there, around me.
|
|
Kathy: |
I like your character because I feel good when I watch her. It's
almost like a spiritual type of thing. I study Buddhism and it's
almost like that philosophy. I've seen some of your interviews and
your character has already been compared to a Buddhism type of spirituality.
Do you like that sort of thing, poetry and investigating spiritual
avenues in your real life? It seems you naturally fit right into
that.
|
|
Mira: |
Yes, you strive towards it. How much you actually succeed in
your normal life is a big question. Because everything distracts
you. (laughter) Somehow.
|
|
Kathy: |
That's true, as busy as you are.
|
|
Mira: |
The role has that aspect and I enjoy it. Actually, very much.
It's so rare in female roles, you know?.
|
|
Kathy: |
Yeah I like that, when they give you a poetic part that makes people
think.
|
|
Mira: |
To have women on screen who think. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
(laughter) Yes, we've come a long way, haven't we.
|
|
Mira: |
Wow, she can even think! (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
(laughter) Now they are having women captains and that sort of thing,
which is good. Star Trek started that type of thing in the beginning.
That everybody was equal, all religions and genders.
|
|
Mira: |
That's the beautiful aspect of science-fiction, you know. Which
for me, coming from the former Yugoslavia, is a shock that it's
so big. And it's a whole parallel world. And the fandom and all
of that was a big surprise for me. There are all these positive
aspects of anti-racism, of respect towards women and so on, that
don't exist in the normal world.
|
|
Kathy: |
Science-fiction fans are very loyal.
|
|
Mira: |
Oh they are.
|
| Kathy: |
I
think they are basically futuristic type people. They want to see
a better world. Something to strive for. That's why they like these
type of shows.
|
| Mira: |
That's
very true. I mean the very idea of aliens living together with humans
is a very anti-racist concept, so I love that.
|
| Kathy: |
Yes,
it's great. What was it like in Yugoslavia? Did they treat the actors
the same? Was the film business the same?
|
| Mira: |
It's
a small country. It used to be before is disappeared, before it
disintegrated completely in this horrible, bloody war. I did a lot
of movies and so on. Mainstream filmmaking was like guerrilla filmmaking
here. Mainstream filmmaking there has the conditions of a low budget
film here.
|
| Kathy: |
Like
some Independent films.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
so it required a lot of enthusiasm, I guess, from all people involved.
People were used to the worst conditions, which in a way is helping
me. In terms of industry, it was not an industry. The concept of
industry, of this job being a business is a whole new experience
for me. I mean there was no money to be made there. But there was
definitely some freedom in the sense of not having to deal with
all those business aspects. Agents, managers, unions, so many intermediaries,
between you and the actual job. It's completely different. This
country is so big, so I guess that's why it's so complicated also.
|
| Kathy: |
In
some smaller parts of this country it's easier to film. Where I'm
from, Philadelphia, it's easier to film than in California in some
ways. Many people nowadays are heading to Canada, Vancouver, for
those reasons. A lot of series are shooting there because it's easier,
less union worries and it's better.
|
| Mira: |
For
the producers. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
(laughter) yes. That's true. Your husband is a filmmaker
too, do you work together?
|
| Mira: |
Yes.
A couple of months ago we finished a play, we did a play together.
He directed and I acted and we kind of connected it with the war
in the former Yugoslavia. It was a very, very interesting experience,
working together. But before that, in Yugoslavia we did a movie
together. And we are planning, we are trying to do his movie. But
you know how frustrating that whole process is.
|
|
Kathy: |
Absolutely. What kind of genre and movie is it? Or is it a secret
for now?
|
| Mira: |
I'd
better not talk about it right now
|
|
Kathy: |
We'll leave that a secret. (laughter)
|
| Mira: |
(laughter)
That's right.
|
|
Kathy: |
You were traveling a lot and did so many projects and now with this
Babylon 5 series you're stationary. For five years
in one series, at least. Do you like that?
|
| Mira: |
That's
true. You know it's different. In our situation of coming here,
of totally changing our whole world, our whole life of making that
transition. That was hard and stressful. The amount of insecurity
you go through, the amount of loss you feel and so on. Considering
all that, I think physically it's actually a good thing for us both.
To be in one place is soothing, and that's what we needed.
|
|
Kathy: |
Do you think you'll be here for a while after the series ends? Or
do you think you'll be moving on?
|
| Mira: |
I
have no idea. I can't, life has taught me not to make plans. But
although it's human nature, you have to make plans. But, everything
turns out differently somehow.
|
|
Kathy: |
It must have been hard to make all the new career ties, and the
new friendships and all that.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
you know, throughout your life you build all those nets with people.
Professionally and privately and so on. And that all broke into
pieces, and there was nothing left. So, it's been hard. But, certainly
Babylon has helped me in a lot of ways. One of them is that
feeling of some security.
|
|
Kathy: |
Stability.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
and this whole job is so incredibly stressful and everything is
insecure. And on top of that we had the experience of changing our
country and the war and so on and so on. In that way, it's like
a refuge.
|
|
Kathy: |
Do you think that situation in your home country has enough publicity
here?
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
it's on many front pages of papers all the time. Unfortunately,
it's a very complicated situation.
|
|
Kathy: |
What do you do when you get a free moment, I know you work a lot,
Do you do anything special, any hobbies, travel?
|
| Mira: |
We
just got back from Costa Rica. And that was wonderful. I want to
travel and I think that it's a very important part of my life.
|
|
Kathy: |
That's a beautiful country.
|
| Mira: |
It's
beautiful, yes.
|
|
Kathy: |
Have you ever been to the East coast?
|
| Mira: |
Oh,
we lived in New York! We lived there for a year and a half before
Babylon happened. And actually Babylon brought me
to Los Angeles. New York was always my choice. (laughter)
I always wanted to go to New York even when I lived in Yugoslavia.
|
|
Kathy: |
Is that because you like theatre so much?
|
| Mira: |
Not
only that, but New York is so much more. New York is like ... the
world!. The whole world is in New York.
|
|
Kathy: |
I recently went to New York to see The Tempest, starring Patrick
Stewart.
|
| Mira: |
How
was that?
|
|
Kathy: |
It was such a performance! And the special effects were gorgeous.
|
| Mira: |
I
would love to see it.
|
|
Kathy: |
I bet I'll never see another one like it. But he plays something
like that every year. He comes to New York a lot to perform on stage.
Do you like to write as well or mainly like to stick to acting?
You have been through so much, you probably have some ideas of your
own?
|
| Mira: |
I
would love to write. But, it requires another kind of concentration.
|
|
Kathy: |
And time.
|
| Mira: |
And
time and peace of mind.
|
|
Kathy: |
That might be down the road though.
|
| Mira: |
(laughter)
That's right. I hope so. That would make me very happy.
|
|
Kathy: |
You've done so much stage work, What role do you like the best from
all your theatre work?
|
| Mira: |
One
of the last things I did in Yugoslavia was A Month in the Country.
That was a beautiful role and a beautiful play and I really enjoyed
doing it. But in a totally different way, I really was excited by
playing Antigone here because it was so alive for us. It
had so much to do with my experience and the whole pain that we
feel towards what is happening in our country and so forth.
|
|
Kathy: |
You bring some attention to it, which is good. When you talk about
it and that sort of thing because it makes people think about it
more.
|
| Mira: |
I
guess so.
|
|
Kathy: |
What foreign film can we get? If I were to go to the video store
and I wanted to see something with you in it? Do you think we would
be able to get some of them?.
|
| Mira: |
There
is this movie that was nominated for an Oscar that I played in,
which is called When Father Was Away on Business, that's
on VHS here and is distributed here in America. I don't think that
anything else has been released on video. But that film has been,
and played here. It got the nomination for the Foreign Film (Oscar)
some years ago. It got the Golden Palm in Cannes, it won there.
|
|
Kathy: |
Wonderful. Do you like the sci-fi genre a lot?
|
| Mira: |
You
know, I'm getting to know it. I'm actually learning so much about
it. I have never been aware it was such a huge thing! So, yes.
|
|
Kathy: |
It's becoming extremely popular. I remember at one time it was very
rare. For instance they didn't want to put much on, then FOX TV
started if and became successful with it, which was good for the
people who like sci-fi. Now it's so popular they can't get enough
of it.
|
| Mira: |
It's
an excellent thing. All these popular aspects of anti-racism and
this idea that differences are welcome.
|
|
Kathy: |
Those are great issues. Is there any special issue of a scene that
you'd like to see addressed on Babylon 5? A topic
that you would probably like to see more of?
|
| Mira: |
I
really admire Joe's writing and it's just amazing he has that whole
world invented in his head. I mean it's just unbelievable. So I
am always excited to open a new script and read it, because there's
always such interesting things.
|
|
Kathy: |
You're surprised each week they give you lines and you really don't
know what is going to be in it the following week?
|
| Mira: |
(laughter)
Yes, yes. It's great fun not to know what's going on and what will
happen and so on.
|
|
Kathy: |
That's true. That's the way I like to see a movie. I don't want
to know the whole thing or the end in advance.
|
| Mira: |
That's
right, it's like life, you never know.
|
|
Kathy: |
Is there anything in your character you would like to see examined
more? Like your family, the culture, talents, etc.?.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
I think these things are coming up in the episodes we are shooting
now. My childhood, the mother and father and who is Delenn. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
That will be great.
|
| Mira: |
I
know we are shooting something like that, and it's fun.
|
|
Kathy: |
I hope we see a romance. You seem to have that special chemistry
with Captain Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner).
|
| Mira: |
I
love working with him, I'm so happy with that.
|
|
Kathy: |
And even Lennier (Bill Mumy).
|
| Mira: |
Oh,
absolutely! Two different ways of relating to those two characters.
But it really has been a big pleasure and in general the cast is
one of the best groups I've ever worked with.
|
|
Kathy: |
You have the most professional actors there and the best writers.
D.C. Fontana and Peter David sometimes helping Joe, some of the
best.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
that's true. It's good, it's been good.
|
|
Kathy: |
Will we be seeing anything you would like to share that will be
about your character Delenn? Any hidden agenda, talents, anything
that might be surfacing.
|
| Mira: |
(laughter)
Even if I knew, we should all be surprised all the time. But, I
don't think she will ever change into like the most evil witch or
something like that.
|
|
Kathy: |
I don't think so.
|
| Mira: |
No,
I don't have that feeling. Although you never know. (laughter)
What I think is very interesting in Babylon 5 are all those
changes the characters go through. I think that's wonderful, that
nothing stays the same. And whatever you thought about a character
totally changes and you see the other aspect. Like with Londo (Peter
Jurasik) and like with G'Kar (Andreas Katsulas). Completely revolved
and went to the other side.
|
|
Kathy: |
That's true. Your character completely changed too.
|
| Mira: |
Exactly!
(laughter) I changed physically. That's true.
|
|
Kathy: |
I liked you the other way, but I like your new changes in your character
also. Which is to be more human in Delenn. What do you think the
human part brings to your character?
|
| Mira: |
I'm
trying to play these aspects of vulnerability and sensitivity and
emotional openness and so on. All these things come into the role
with that change. Also, some lighter side of Delenn, some funnier
stuff, that's what I would love to see more.
|
|
Kathy: |
Human's have a lot of faults, so that can come into it. (laughter)
|
| Mira: |
That's
right.
|
|
Kathy: |
The fight, the struggle between your past, which is a spiritual
type of person and the human. That human side could have a lot of
faults. You've seen Star Trek, with Spock and his struggle with
his Vulcan character. He's half human and half Vulcan where the
Vulcan is very tough. And his emotions, which he has buried deep
inside are not allowed to show. He has them, but he can't express
them. He has to keep them in, really deep inside him. The human
side is the real struggle. It's a bit like your character.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
there are some interesting parallels. The more you play them , the
more you read what Joe has in mind, the more it becomes completely
something different than you thought in the beginning. So I think
in a job like this, an actor has to stay totally open to anything.
Because you don't know basically what's going to happen.
|
|
Kathy: |
It must have been hard bringing in the human side. You have to play
two kinds of characters, you have to play that human side now. It
must have added even more of a challenge.
|
| Mira: |
That's
true.
|
|
Kathy: |
You've done a lot of episodes. Is there anything that has struck
you as your favorite episode or something that happened that was
really funny on the set? That happened to you with another actor
you might reflect on frequently.
|
| Mira: |
There
are some very nice moments with Bruce. I mean in various anecdotes.
He's a wonderful actor. I really enjoy working with him. I like
the story about the inquisitor. It was an episode that gave me a
lot to do, in the dramatic sense. There are so many of them!
|
|
Kathy: |
I see your character almost like a counselor, like Troi (Marina
Siritis) was in Star Trek. The counselor, who many loved
on The Next Generation. People confide in you on the station.
Do you see Delenn as that type of person?
|
| Mira: |
Yeah!
I think she's a good listener, that's for sure. She certainly has
the wisdom to give good advice to other inhabitants of Babylon
5. That's for sure. I would ask her for advice. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
(laughter) So would I. I'd be over there all the time.
|
| Mira: |
That's
right, so true. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
Also, Lennier seems compatible with you. He's almost like that personality,
spiritual and that sort of thing. You have that special relationship
with Kosh too, more insight than with the others. You worked with
Rene Auberjonois in Don Juan in Hell, what was that like?
|
| Mira: |
George
Bernard Shaw, yes we did that play together, It was wonderful. He
was phenomenal, he was incredible. He played the devil and he was
just amazing, fantastic. I was very proud to be able to have worked
with him.
|
|
Kathy: |
Can we get to see that?
|
| Mira: |
Well,
you know they do it from time to time. Ed Asner and Rene and Harris
Yulan. So I was invited to do it with them. We did it in England
and we did it here and maybe it will happen again. This is something
they do and it's an open type of project where different people
take part. For example David Warner sometimes plays the part that
Rene plays and Judith Ivy plays the role I played. So it's something
that's still alive.
|
|
Kathy: |
That reminds me of the play Rene was in that exchanged characters
a lot, Every Good Boy Deserves Favor. It plays in New York
and California now and then. A lot of times they bring people involved
in Star Trek to play the role. It's a musical with a big
orchestral theme. I've been waiting for it to come back. That's
the problem with these things you have to wait, it's not like film
(laughter). Was your first American film My Antonia?
|
| Mira: |
It
was my first film, but not my first job. I did it last year.
|
|
Kathy: |
Can your fans rent that?
|
| Mira: |
Yes.
|
|
Kathy: |
What are your future prospects, a look into the future. I know you're
busy, you work between work.
|
| Mira: |
I'm
trying to do little stuff in-between the shooting of Babylon
5. Like this play, another little film that I did with an Argentinean
director, stuff like that you can squeeze in (laughter)
when you're not working. But plans, again, whatever you plan will
take a different turn. (laughter) So I don't know.
We are planning a lot, but what will come through, we'll see.
|
|
Kathy: |
You have that little break in the summer, hiatus. Do you think you'll
work on some more theatre or film?
|
| Mira: |
I
have no idea. (laughter)
|
|
Kathy: |
Do you miss doing the theatre?.
|
| Mira: |
It's
not the same, the way theatre is treated here in this country. It's
not as it was in Europe. It doesn't mean so much as it meant in
Europe. It's a marginal activity here.
|
|
Kathy: |
Theatre means more in other countries.
|
| Mira: |
Oh,
yeah. I mean actresses careers are made in theatre if they want
to be considered as serious actors. But here you can't live off
it. Except in New York, it doesn't mean the same thing. So that's
a frustrating thing because it's hard to do theatre. You put so
much energy into it and you have to be on that stage alone, there's
no editing! Nobody could save you.
|
|
Kathy: |
It's live.
|
| Mira: |
Exactly,
it's live. It's just not treated with too much dignity.
|
|
Kathy: |
Maybe it's getting more popular now. When I went, there seemed to
be a full house. Especially in New York.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
but then again only if it's very commercial and so on. It's hard
to make any plans when you're an actor. Things don't really depend
on you and your wishes. But that's the goal, the goal is to take
some control of your life and the project that you want to be involved
with. And that's again combined with access to money. (laughter)
It's a whole other frustrating issue.
|
|
Kathy: |
Especially if you are filmmakers like you and your husband and you
want to get all your projects off the ground.
|
| Mira: |
Recently
I saw that documentary about Orson Welles and he said at the end
of his life that he thinks he wasted his life because filmmaking
is ninety-five percent hustling and five percent filmmaking.
|
|
Kathy: |
Oh sure, you have to get the okays and all the work that goes into
that.
|
| Mira: |
And
you ask yourself "Is it worth it?"
|
|
Kathy: |
You definitely have to really love it to stick with it, that's for
sure.
|
| Mira: |
Yes,
through all the bad stuff.
|
|
Kathy: |
I find that after you have an idea for a project it takes about
six years to actually get it off the ground, a film idea. I'm involved
with it and can't see doing anything else. I'm sure you feel the
same way.
|
| Mira: |
Yes
that's true, absolutely. (laughter) I can't do anything
else.
|