Video:Marta Gastini The Rite Interview
with Rebecca MurrayMarta Gastini plays a pregnant young woman who's possessed by a demon in New Line Cinema's horror film 'The Rite.' Gastini, who looks nothing like her character in the film in person, chatted about taking on the difficult role at the film's premiere.
Transcript:Marta Gastini The Rite Interview
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the World Premiere of New Line Cinema's The Rite.
Marta Gastini - 'Rosaria' in The Rite
You look nothing like you do in the movie.Marta Gastini: "Luckily, thank you. It's nice to hear that."
How difficult was it to play that character? She changes, and she's got such an arc.
Marta Gastini: "It was really difficult and challenging because, as you said, there are so many changes, so many characters in one. There is a lot of physicality. Yeah, because at first you are like a scared girl, and then you have to act like an animal, and after you are a powerful spirit. There's something also supernatural going on; there is something taking over you from inside. So it's something luckily you don't experience so it's difficult to find the feeling."
They put you through a lot physically, but what I liked is that when you are changing, you can really see it in your eyes. How tough was it to mentally get yourself into that position?
Marta Gastini: "It has been really difficult because one day I was really destroyed because it was really hard. When you have to do this kind of scenes, and you're able to really feel what you are going through, it tires you a lot. And I ended up crying for a while, but after that it was fine."
Not only are you contorting your body but you're pregnant. You're huge, so that makes it difficult too. How hard was that?
Marta Gastini: "Very hard. We used a belly and we wanted to use it as heavy as it should be, so moving with that belly on was really difficult. It was summer so it was really hot, but I just loved it. I loved this experience. This is unique."
Was there a day when you were filming where it was tough to leave that behind?
Marta Gastini: "I tried to but I had a few nightmares because I was really concentrating on the movie of course, because this is such a great opportunity for me, so I really wanted to do it the best. I had to sleep with the light on for a while because I couldn't sleep. But it's past - and I prayed a lot as well."
You have all this going on and you're starring opposite Anthony Hopkins, which is a little intimidating anyway. How was that to work with Sir Hopkins?
Marta Gastini: "It was unbelievable, really. I couldn't imagine myself working with him because it's just a unique experience. He was so really generous because it was really helping my acting, my performance. I mean he's probably the best...he is the best living actor and I really loved him because he's really also - it's not like a great actor but he's also an amazing person which makes the difference to me."
Is this the type of movie when you go to a theater that you see? Are you into horror films?
Marta Gastini: "No, but this is the kind of movie I love to do because I really love these crazy characters, challenging characters, dramatic characters, so I couldn't be any happier."
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