Fast Confession - Anna Fialová: Instagram was making me envy people, I'm feeling more free without it!
Many of us remember Anna Fialová, granddaughter of Lemonade Joe, Karel Fiala, from the reality show Tvoje tvář má známý hlas (Masked Singer) or from the series Vinaři (Winegrowers) or První republika (History of Czechoslovakia). The young, beautiful and talented actress told us why she's taken a break from being on the TV screen, how she views today's social media world, and even what she likes to do in her free time.
Anička, we're sitting in a cafe that falls under National Theater, and you're actually a new member of the permanent ensemble. How do you feel here?
It's really nice, I've already been a part of the premiere of production of Kytice and Blood Wedding. I've only been here for a short time so far, but I really like it here. National Theater is, you could say, a very magical place for me, because my mother has been working in the hair and makeup department here for ten years and my grandma used to work here as a critic and the director of National Opera.
I've made very nice memories here even as a child, so I'm very grateful for being here. I try to keep my feet on the ground though, so I definitely don't view it as the final frontier of my career. I think there's always someplace further to go in acting, to keep moving on. Especially at my age. (24 years, Ed.)
Before this, you mostly dealt with filming, so it must be a big change for you, "signing yourself over" to theater...
Yes, I was a freelancer for a long time. And I really liked this degree of freedom and the great diversity in free choice was really satisfying. Naturally it had a darker side too, when a period of several months without work came up, but I still kept telling myself that I have no kids, I don't have to chase after money.
The offer of a permanent engagement came exactly in the moment when I realized how hard it is to get your hands on work that you want to do in the film industry. I'm not saying that I left filming for good, I like it and I keep doing it, but I reconsidered some things and priorities.
So when you get offered a role in a movie or a series, you spend a long time deciding whether to take it?
Yes. But it's not because I'd be such a "picky girl", it's that I need to work on things and projects that I have faith in and that I enjoy. For now I can afford the comfort of being happy above all.
Do you think we lack strong themes for strong movies here in the Czech Republic?
No, definitely not. And by the word "we" I don't want to put everyone in the same boat. But if I were to use that word, I think we lack a degree of diligence here, and the will to put one hundred percent into things. You could dispute that and say that there's no time and no finances, but I think that can always be arranged somehow. You can always find time. Not only for thorough preparation.
Just the other day I signed off on participating in one German project and I traveled over there for a few days for a rehearsal, much like as if I went to a rehearsal at a theater. The outcome is something completely different then. In the Czech Republic the actor runs on set, goes through the scene once or twice and then you're filming live. So I think we lack thorough preparation and diligence.
Is it hard for a young actress to break through these days? Do you still go to auditions?
Yes, for sure and all the time. Sometimes I get a call from somebody with the offer of a role based on a tip or prior collaboration, but I usually audition. When I appeared on Tvoje tvář má známý hlas, I set off a more substantial influx of offers, but nothing lasts forever.
How come I couldn't find you on Instagram?
Because I deleted it recently and it's great! (laugh)
Why's that?
Because it started to piss me off. When you're an artist, you usually experience two phases in life - either you're on top, desired by everyone and successful, or you're lying in bed at home, can't get work and feel like you're worth nothing. Even though I'd never used Instagram for self-promotion or to promote products, I realized that I was spending more time on it than was healthy.
The other thing I realized that was crucial in the decision to delete my account was the fact that Instagram is making me envy others and concern myself with who's working on what right now. And why that isn't me being a part of that project instead, so on and so forth ....
Wow, to realize and admit this to yourself, that's a real rarity...
I like that I have made it onto this path. I believe in the saying: What goes around comes around. I was at the point where I felt resentment for people whom I didn't even know, I merely saw their posts. I see it with many of my friends who are trying to 1-up each other on social media with who's doing better, who's got more work and who's more successful.
Do you feel more free now thanks to that?
I really do. Naturally I do miss it sometimes, to scroll through all the "news" on my phone, but then I realize all this, and realize that I actually feel better this way.
How do you spend your free time when you're not at the theater or filming?
In summer I spent around a full week at a cottage and it was really nice. I realized that I'd like to go out in nature more often and spend more time there. And I don't mean Divoká Šárka now. (laugh)
You have the name Polunin tattooed on your finger. What does this name mean to you?
It's the famous dancer Sergej Polunin. These days I don't really follow him as much as I used to, because he got Putin's face tattooed on his chest. (laugh) But before this public statement I used to look up to him to some point. He stated that an actor or an artist should always be on the move. And by that he did not mean physically traveling, but that one should always be evolving and growing mentally. He claimed that once an actor gets used to money and a routine, the artistic spirit within them dies. That's why I have his name tattooed, because I identify with that.
What do you do for your own growth?
I take signing lessons, I try to go running or go to yoga classes. When I have the opportunity, I participate in acting workshops. I feel like these days, only a few artists hone their talents and they settle for too little too quickly. Or, what's worse, for fame and nothing else.
I went to see one particular Czech musical recently. And, honestly, it really wasn't much. From the singing standpoint it was fine, but musicals should feature acting next to singing and dance, and that was a big mess in my opinion. I don't want to put anybody down, I just want to honestly say how it came across to me. The show ended, everyone stood up and gave standing ovation, and I realized that something was wrong. The audience are content with what we present to them in these cases, they rarely seek real quality.
Anička, are you happy now?
Yes, I am, really happy! (laugh) I have nothing to complain about at all. And I realized that these days - in the era of social media - even if we have everything, we're healthy and content, sometimes you get depressed, because you feel like you're missing something, or something's slipping through your fingers. That's the reason for the Instagram deletion that made me feel better. And I hope that was only the beginning and I will keep ditching other societal pressures too.
