Photo courtesy Clay Enos
Native Slovakian Renaissance woman, Apollonia Vanova may be best known as an award winning mezzo-soprano in such operas as La Finta Giardiniera, Suor Angelica, and Rigoletto. But Ms. Vanova is also an accomplished sculptor and sought after actress on both the small and big screen. The buzz about the multi-talented lady is about to reach epic proportions as Apollonia assumes the role of Silhouette in the eagerly anticipated blockbuster, Watchmen. Silhouette joined Dollar Bill and Hooded Justice as one of the eight masked adventurers in the Minutemen, the premier group of superheroes throughout the 1940s that disbanded after several public scandals. Silhouette was the first female of the crew and could be distinguished by her basic black ensemble - from her hair to her heels, and her bright red belt.
Mike Parker – What brought you from your native Slovakia to Vancouver?
Apollonia Vanova – My parents wanted to escape communism. I’ve been back many times and own a home there now. It is no longer communist and is very much like North America.
Parker – You are a classically trained and accomplished mezzo-soprano. That takes a tremendous amount of both talent and dedication. Most opera singers simply don’t have the time to invest in cultivating outside interests, yet you somehow manage to excel in a number of artistic endeavors. Where do you find the time?
Apollonia – I haven’t been singing that long and it has been limited to Vancouver. While I sing as much opera as I can there simply aren’t that many operas performed here in Vancouver.
Parker – You play the character of Silhouette in the upcoming film, Watchmen. Tell me about her.
Apollonia – She was Jewish and fled Austria to escape Hitler. She moved to New York where she joined the Minutemen. She was quite harsh and they didn’t get along with the other members of the group. She was a Lesbian and was eventually ousted from the group because that was not acceptable at that time.
Parker – Silhouette is never seen without a cigarette. While that is totally time and character appropriate, it is not exactly politically correct in this day and age. Any thoughts on that?
Apollonia – I have a cigarette in my hand.
Parker – I guess that answers that question. Growing up did you ever think you would one day be playing a costumed superhero on the silver screen?
Apollonia – Not at all. When I was s little girl I wanted to rescue animals.
Parker – You have degree from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in sculpture. What medium do you sculpt?
Apollonia – I’ve sculpted in varying media. It is not the medium that is important to me, but to represent my ideas. I’ve sculpted in bronze, clay, leather, and other mediums.
Parker – What’s next on your agenda?
Apollonia – I was just cast in a film called The Building, and I’m getting ready for a fitness competition in April. It is a body building competition but there are a lot of categories. I am in the fitness model category. A fitness model is someone who is fit but not overly muscular. It requires working out a lot and maintaining a proper diet. I got into it because of acting and singing. I’m usually cast in roles where I need to be physically fit so it gives me an excuse to go to the gym and work out.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Apollonia – I live in the woods outside of Vancouver in a house overlooking a river. My favorite sound is the river. I go to sleep to it and I wake up to it.
2. What makes you happy?
Apollonia – Living where I live. Doing my art, acting, and singing. And my family.
3. What makes you angry?
Apollonia – My boyfriend just made me angry (laughs). What really makes me angry is animal cruelty.
4. What is the secret of success?
Apollonia – To do what you truly love to do, not for fame, not for money, but for yourself. To be true to yourself. And success comes in many forms.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Apollonia – Marlon Brando.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Apollonia – “She lived for art.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Apollonia – “You really didn’t need to worry so much.”
For more info: Watchmen website
Comments
Love the classy way she shot down this reporter's ridiculous question about cigarettes not being "politically correct"...where does the Examiner get these clowns?
Emon;
Thank you for your comment. I had a great time chatting with Apollonia. She is an intriguing woman. Never during our conversation did I ever feel 'shot down.'
According to the American Cancer Society "Each year, a staggering 440,000 people die in the US from tobacco use. Nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined."
I don't think it is a ridiculous question, and for the record I've been a professional writer for more than 15 years with more than 1000 published articles, three published and produced stage plays and one novel to my credit. I've interview Grammy Award winners, Academy Award winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Emmy Award winners. I'm not sure what your definition of a 'clown' is, but I don't think I qualify.
Calling you a clown was harsh, I apologize for that kneejerk response. But it's highly annoying to be reading an interview with an actor and then see the reporter blatantly inserting their little moral agenda like that. Who wants to be told what's "politically correct"? If you wanted her to talk about cigarettes, why not just ask her straight up "Do you have an opinion on your character's smoking habit"? How does asking skewered questions like yours, where you declare something politically incorrect within your question, contribute to good journalism? I mean real journalism that attempts to be impartial? A "professional writer for more than 15 years" really ought to know better. The whole exchange just reeked of moralizing, from your loaded question to your curt response to her answer. It's like the Church Lady was conducting the interview. I don't even smoke anymore, haven't for years, but I couldn't help feeling satisfaction with the way she succinctly snubbed out that foolishness..
Emon;
I appreciate the apology, and I'm sorry if you felt like I was 'moralizing' when I asked the question regarding cigarette smoking being politically incorrect. The question was not asked of her personally, but of her character's habit which IS politically incorrect, whether you or I like it or not. (I personally have no moral stance on smoking. I believe it is a personal, amoral choice. Given the preponderance of evidence regarding the detrimental effects of cigarette smoking I think you would have to have complete disregard for your health to do so, but hey, it's your body.) And quite frankly, the way the question was frame WAS pretty much asking straight up "Do you have an opinion on your character's smoking habit." Sorry you didn't take it that way. She gave me a fair answer (i.e. she smokes) and I received that answer (that answers my question). I don't understand why you would take offense at that.
If I have offended you, I apologize.
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