FWM: When did you discover your love for the Arts?
Before 10 years old. I always wanted to be an Actress, as the only daughter of holocaust survivors. My parents emigrated to the US, we had no money. They wanted me to be a teacher. Acting couldn’t pay bills, so I went to the closest thing I could- being a visual artist and teaching art.
FWM: Where do you get your inspiration from?
People’s way of thinking, nature, and spiritualism, triumph over adversity. Mostly other human beings and their perceived lack of understanding of how life works. What you think you attract. Anger breeds anger. Life can be unfair. Life can be whatever you want it to be.
FWM: You can be seen in the film, “American Fango.” What was valuable about this experience?
I was recommended to director Gabriele Altobelli, after meeting and studying with the amazing, 7-time lifetime achievement winner, filmmaker, and cinephile John Gallagher.
John is a mentor to Gabriele and filled the cast with some fantastic actors that he knew and trusted. I was cast opposite the wonderful Artie Pasquale a veteran of screen and TV, one of the regulars on the Soprano’s TV show.
We introduced the premise of the film and completed the film as 2 bookends that take the audience on a coming of age journey for the protagonist. It is a love letter to NYC from the eyes of a young man trying to find life and love away from his home country Italy. What he needs to go through to navigate his life far from home and the various people he meets on his journey. The film won more than 40 Festivals and received wonderful reviews. It is ageless. It was shot in Rome, NY, and LA. The DP, editor, and music were all Award-Winning Filmmakers from Europe. Amazing talent. It was my first film that I felt we were a family- all-inclusive creators and collaborators with great chops working toward a common goal. To this day, 4 years later we are all in touch and I was fortunate enough to be asked back for several individual projects by the filmmakers.
FWM: Tell us about “WEIGHT” with Randy Quaid. What inspired you about this role?
The film itself is a romantic comedy with a male protagonist, rarely seen in films. Randy Quaid in his first role in a decade, Cathy Najimy, Jason Mewes and other well-known actors were superbly directed by Rob Margolies who has several films on Netflix starring Hillary Duff, Josh Gad, and many more well-known actors. Rob is winning awards for his current film, “YES” and Immortal that is on the current Festival circuit. Again, Rob and I continue to work together as a film family before WEIGHT. My role in the film was as an OA meeting counselor in support of the trials and tribulations that people go through with their weight issues. As you might have imagined the film is about society and how it looks at overweight people or those different than themselves. It was written by Rob based on his weight loss of more than 50 pounds. WEIGHT will be released and distributed after 10/18/19.
“I am formidable because I have raised amazing, successful children, have a long marriage and want to raise awareness for those in need that do not have a voice in the world.”
FWM: What awards have you won?
The short films that I produced or helped produce LEGIT, Three For The Road, JOE have received awards for Best Film, Best Ensemble, Best Actor. The films I have been in as an actress have also won many awards. For me winning awards is lovely and great for the ego. However, I am always looking to create more work of relevance and see filmmaking as a collaborative effort to bring knowledge and empowerment to the world.
FWM: Why are you a Formidable Woman?
I am formidable because I have raised amazing, successful children, have a long marriage and want to raise awareness for those in need that do not have a voice in the world. The subjects I am most interested in are: Religious intolerance, Human Trafficking, Women’s rights all over the world and all its offshoots, drugs and destruction in our society. Also, Depression, “White privilege”, education, metaphysics ie meditation in schools.
I am very interested in the baby boomer generation and its growth. Baby boomers are 40% of the world and in this country have 80% of all expendable income, yet no one is creating solely for them. A revolution is coming in the Arts that will center more around them and their wisdom. You are never too old…
FWM: What advice would you give upcoming Actresses?
Just Do It!! Do it with a full passion and work at it daily. It’s not just about you and your ego, it is about using your life experiences to help others see themselves more clearly. Make sure that you pursue other interests as well and be as well rounded as possible. Be curious about the world around you. Have discipline and form a community of artists- Don’t be a one-man-band.
FWM: Tell us about the film, “SAM.”
As I am currently filming this, so I can’t speak much about it yet. SAM is directed by Stefano Da Fre and Laura Pellegrini- they have had many Award-Winning Films Internationally and in Cannes and together. Their company Rosso Films International created “The Girl Who Could Not Speak” a documentary about female abuse that was featured on Meet The Press last year. Stefano is the lead actor in this film, I play his mother Ruth.
FWM: What is the greatest lesson you have learned in the film business?
The greatest lesson in the film business for me has been about collaboration. Working together with like-minded people to create art and help change people’s lives for the better. Promoting understanding and love between cultures and unifying the world through laughter and tears.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3679007/ – IMDB
https://www.facebook.com/eve.austin.739 – FB
https://twitter.com/MsEveAustin Twitter
https://www.instagram.com/mseveaustin/ Instagram
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eve-austin-6281179/ linked in
https://www.eveaustin.net/ web site
https://vimeo.com/271132568 Reel
