Today we’d like to introduce you to Hélène Cardona.
Hi Hélène, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Paris and grew up all over Europe in a very international background, with a Greek mother and Spanish father, both lawyers and intellectuals. My father worked for the United Nations, and my mother for the European Parliament. I started playing the piano and taking dance classes at the Music Conservatory in Geneva when I was six. I graduated with the second prize in piano before moving back to Paris, where I continued studying the piano at Salle Pleyel and dancing and performing with a dance company. I was also a math and science major in high school and loved studying languages and literature. I acted in plays with the English department of the Sorbonne.
Eventually, I had to make a decision. I had just written my thesis on the Search for Fulfillment in Henry James’s The Wings of the Dove while working as an interpreter for the Canadian Embassy in Paris and realized I had to fulfill my own destiny.
I took flight and moved to New York to train at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in order to pursue acting professionally.
The AADA is a two-year conservatory. It’s the oldest acting school in the English-speaking world and was founded in 1884 by Franklin Haven Sargent. There, I studied Shakespeare, scene study, dance, movement, singing, and stage combat.
My first acting jobs were on TV series and Voice Overs, which led to film work. I was then very lucky to work on Chocolat, Heroes Reborn, Star Trek: Discovery, The Romanoffs, Murder Mystery 2, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Nikita, The A-Team, Daisy Jones and the Six, Jurassic World, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, World War Z, X-Men: Apocalypse, Happy Feet Two, and Muppets Most Wanted, to name a few.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest challenge was leaving Europe and starting over in New York so as to focus solely on acting. It was a huge step because I left in very difficult circumstances. Once I graduated from the AADA, my student visa was over, and I had to find a way to stay here legally to work. I first obtained a practical training visa through the school, thanks to a wonderful casting director, Eileen Kennedy, for whom I had done a stage reading of a radio play. I am incredibly grateful to her. Luckily, I had also done modeling work in Paris while studying, and it helped me get work with a modeling agency. That work permit lasted one year and was renewed. Finally, after my second try, I got my Green Card in the lottery, which then led me to apply for the US citizenship. So, that was a constant challenge for many years.
I have overcome quite a lot to be where I am. I am an immigrant and the daughter of immigrants. I’ve always been grateful for all the work and opportunities that have come my way and the wonderful friendships I’ve made all along. Friends mean a lot to me. I give back whenever I can, teaching in schools and universities, volunteering as a mentor for writers, and to read to children in schools. I am also an animal activist and support many charities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multilingual, award-winning international actor, poet, and producer. I’m also a linguist and dream analyst. I’m best known for my role of Fuffi in Lasse Hallström’s Chocolat, which was a dream come true. The whole experience was magical. Lasse is wonderful filmmaker, very generous, easy to get along with, and the whole team was fantastic.
I had a similar experience when I filmed Candy in Lawrence Kasdan’s Mumford. Both brilliant filmmakers, at the top of their profession. They treated me and everyone with such respect. Mumford had an amazing ensemble cast too, and just like with Chocolat, I was struck with everyone’s goodwill and professionalism. The atmosphere on set was delightful. I was very lucky to have these extraordinary experiences that showed me how cinema works at its best.
In addition to working in front of the camera, I am known for my voice acting. I use my six languages, and it’s a lot of fun. For Serendipity, I co-wrote with director Peter Chelsom and composer Alan Silvestri the song Lucienne, which I also sang. I’m the Computer Voice in Heroes Reborn. I voice roles in John Wick: Chapter 4, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Murder Mystery 2, X-Men: Apocalypse, Happy Feet 2, and Muppets Most Wanted, to name a few. I also voice video games.
I recently won 4 best acting awards, including Best Actress at the Idyllwild International Film Festival, for my role of Arlette in the independent film Caralique. My co-star Kali Funston, who plays the title role in the first half of the movie, won Best Child Actor at Idyllwild and at the Beyond the Curve International Festival in Paris.
I was very lucky to work on the new original Apple TV+ series, The New Look. It’s a historical drama about the rivalry of fashion icons Christian Dior and Coco Chanel during World War II, during the German invasion of France, until shortly afterwards.
I was very fortunate to work on the miniseries All the Light We Cannot See, based on Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. It takes place in the final days of WWII and follows the paths of a blind French girl and a German soldier as they both try to survive.
Most recently, I just finished filming the role of Detective Jones, one of the leads in the crime thriller The Dead Woman, directed by the amazing Dianna Ippolito. It’s currently in post production.
I also enjoy working on video games. I just recorded a fantastic role in an amazing video game, whose name I can’t reveal yet.
Acting and writing are two creative outlets for me, two ways of expressing who I am. I love writing poetry and have published seven titles: three bilingual poetry collections and five translations. They all have won many awards.
And I’ve co-written a screenplay, Primate, with my partner John FitzGerald, based on his novel.
I also help produce movies. My ten producing credits include the award-winning documentary Femme, directed by Emmanuel Itier.
I have a strong work ethic. I always show up prepared and give a thousand percent. Making movies is a collaborative process, and I love contributing in every way I can.
I consider the space I work in sacred and always try to carry that sense of sacredness, goodwill, and respect with me and with everything I do.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Kindness and respect. And to be true to who I am. Self-fulfillment, with grace. When you strive to be your best self, you can contribute most to this world. If you’re an artist, you’re born with the desire or drive to create and you have to honor it.
I love this quote by Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.helenecardona.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenecardonamagic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneCardonaFanPage
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenecardona
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeleneCardona
- Other: http://www.imdb.me/helenecardona
Image Credits
John Michael Ferrari
Angelica Reyn
David Appleby
Paul Smith
Pacific Pro Digital
