For some artists, inspiration is found on the streets; for others, it comes from different forms of art. Ultimately, it begins with an impulse—a fascination with an aesthetic experience that compels us to create.
For Aga, it is the pursuit of visual references that inspires her to make films and perform in them. This short interview with Aga Gradziel proves just how essential exposure to visual art is for a filmmaker, shaping both the creative process and the stories brought to the screen.
Esprit : Aga, you've been working as an actress for many years. How have other forms of art influenced you as an artist? Do you draw inspiration from them, or do you find inspiration elsewhere as well? What are the main sources that fuel your creativity?
Aga: I love this question because I'll never forget when someone told me that actors who are only interested in acting are not interesting. And I absolutely agree. It's your job to keep yourself creative and inspired. I do use other forms, too. I love photography—I take photos with an analog camera, which brings me a lot of joy. I also love going to galleries and looking at photographs or paintings. When I go to a gallery, I like how my brain starts operating on a different level. I get into a different mindset, and then I also love watching people in that setting. The whole experience brings me a lot of joy. And then there are movies. Here in NYC, I have a subscription to the movie theaters around me, and I'm at the movies probably two to three times a week. That's where you can find me. I love movies—they've always inspired me. I'm actually working on making one right now.
Esprit: Staying on the topic of inspiration, you mentioned your new film. What inspired you to make it?
Aga: I love stories. I love watching them, and I love observing them happening right in front of my eyes every day. Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved going to the movies—first in Warsaw, then in Paris, and now in New York. I like going alone, and I like going with friends. It is my safe space, so thinking about making a movie comes naturally to me. I’ve been taking photos with an analog camera since my teenage years, and I think that has developed my special way of looking at things through a lens and seeing images. I also have an amazing community of filmmakers here in NYC whom I love working with and spending time with. With them, all ideas seem like they can become real. So once I find a story, we start working on the script, figuring out how to finance it, and that’s how it goes. It is a story about missed chances, and it is mostly set in the NYC subway, which is a great source of inspiration for anyone who rides it. You can find everything there—from romantic comedy situations to thrillers and horror stories. I strongly recommend it.