Natalia Jofre
Actor & Producer
About
Natalia Jofre is an actor and producer from La Paz, Bolivia. She switched a career in Advertising for one in the cultural scene and has starred in more than 20 plays since. Her inevitable incursion into film acting led her to Los Angeles in pursuit of training. Now, after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Natalia is working on new roles for upcoming projects to shoot in LA and celebrating one of her short films, “What Is Left of Us,” having its British premiere as part of the Official Selection for the Manchester Film Festival 2024.
"Deliberate creator from the heart of South America"
Interview
When did it all start?
I didn’t know how serious I was about acting until my first director, Paulina Oña, was brave enough to take a chance on me by making me a part of her play “Raros” (“Freaks”) after only watching me take some risks on set for a commercial. I was incredibly lucky to share the stage with some of the best actors in my country, and with a brilliant original script. The very dark play was invited to several Festivals and was awarded the Peter Travesí National Prize. It was this creative process that made me discover theatre was it. After that one play, opportunities started snowballing and I realized that acting would never be just a hobby for me.
If you were an advertisement, what would your slogan be?
Deliberate creator from the heart of South America
What does your career mean to you?
My career means a huge privilege to me. I am very aware that not a lot of people get to do what they love as a career and not everyone even finds a source of joy and curiosity as big as acting is for me. I am immensely grateful for having worked with so many amazingly talented and artists and generous humans.
What is your main motivation?
Telling stories that have an effect on their audience. Stories that transform feelings, transmute energies, inspire us or put an important subject on the table.
What is the part you enjoy the most? And the worst?
I find enjoyment in many aspects of acting. In theatre it’s that moment of pure focus and synergy before the curtains go up, those moments of absolute silence when the audience is immersed in a drama or the roaring laughter during a comedy, or the unparalleled awe in small kids’ eyes at the end of a musical. Those moments when I feel that I am being a part of something that makes an impact on others. Giving them a space to escape their problems for a while, to consider a new point of view, to put those important subjects on the table, or maybe to inspire them in their own purpose. In film, it’s the feeling of community, everyone focusing on the same goal, finding that right note in your instrument so that the whole orchestra can make its magic.
The worst would have to be the sacrifices we make for prioritizing acting. I miss my family and friends back in Bolivia terribly and can’t shake the feeling that I am missing out on key moments in their lives. Thankfully I do have some of my family here and kind and inspiring friends who have become my “wolf pack” in LA.
The worst would have to be the sacrifices we make for prioritizing acting. I miss my family and friends back in Bolivia terribly and can’t shake the feeling that I am missing out on key moments in their lives. Thankfully I do have some of my family here and kind and inspiring friends who have become my “wolf pack” in LA.
Who are your idols?
I have so many! Some of my acting idols are Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett and Maggie Smith. One of my life idols is my grandma, Cristina Sadlok, for being a true unconquerable soul.
In case you need a break in your career, what else would you like to do?
I would love to dedicate a few months to surfing. Probably because I grew up in a landlocked country, I have developed a mild obsession with the ocean and fell hard in love with surfing the second I caught my first wave.
Do you consider that nowadays there are more or less opportunities for new artists? Why?
This is a tricky one because there are many definitions for “opportunities” and many factors to the success those might lead us to. But generally speaking I do think that making films and showcasing talent has been made more accessible to most. Social media is also a huge advantage not only for having those talents seen but for finding creative collaborators and getting started.
What would your idyllic life be like?
My idyllic life would be a perfect balance between working in film and theatre and enjoying quality time with my loved ones. Building bridges between Bolivia and other industries to help make Bolivian talents more visible. And having wonderful problems like Wes Anderson and Guillermo del Toro needing me for shoots on the same dates.
What are your next projects?
Right now I am in the middle of shooting Galleria De La Mor’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” an indie action drama about family ties and crime where I play the love interest of the protagonist and active part of the delinquent operations. I am looking forward to start shooting the pilot for the comedy series “LA Scene (The Golden Taco)” written and directed by Raul Abarca in which I will be one third of a group of girlfriends that get submerged in an LA adventure.
I have Paulina Oña’s “Ifigenia” in post-production. An experimental art cinema short film reinventing the myth of Iphigenia, where I play Ifigenia. And a short film “My Sweet Frankenstein,” written by Joseph Wendrich, where I play one half of a love story, currently in pre-production. I could not be more excited about all of them!
I have Paulina Oña’s “Ifigenia” in post-production. An experimental art cinema short film reinventing the myth of Iphigenia, where I play Ifigenia. And a short film “My Sweet Frankenstein,” written by Joseph Wendrich, where I play one half of a love story, currently in pre-production. I could not be more excited about all of them!
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