'Warrior Nun:' Sylvia De Fanti on finding Mother Superion's 'primeval wound' and her hopes from likely Season 2
'Warrior Nun' has made its debut on Netflix and people are still talking about the series. One of the more enigmatic characters is Mother Superion, played by Sylvia De Fanti. In an exclusive interview with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), Sylvia De Fanti talked about what makes her character tick and what it was like shooting this season.
What can you tell us about your character, for those who haven't seen the show yet?
Mother Superion is a woman who doesn’t need to speak a lot to impose her thoughts. Her stoic demeanor and physicality, correspond to her remarkable moral status. She has an institutional role, of power, but behind her rigid rigor/severity, she hides mysteries and vulnerable aspects. She wears a “veil” and won’t be easily unveiled.
How were you introduced to the character?
My first encounter with Mother Superion was, of course, through the material for the audition. The first scene was the introduction of the character: a very theatrical entrance. I have been a stage actress for many years and before embarking on acting as a career, I took the profession very seriously and engaged in extremely extensive and intensive training for several years. I worked with many different classical and more contemporary techniques and methods and studied commedia, miming… even clowning. Formal training naturally, gives an actor a larger toolbox from which to work and the confidence and depth to explore a wider variety of characters. This of course translates to feeling more confident about auditioning for profound parts.
What did you do to prepare for the role?
I studied Mother Superion in the Warrior Nun Areala manga. I read it because I, of course, needed to understand the inspiration for the character. Then I immersed myself in the material and using the writing, found… let’s call it, the walk… the step of Mother Superion, her posture and her discipline. Once I decided how she breathed, I found her voice. To dive more deeply into her inner world, I explored the ancient Latin concepts of Gravitas, Dignitas and Pietas.
'Warrior Nun' is shot in some fantastic locations, can you tell us more about what shooting on those sets was like? Did you have a particular favorite location?
It was fantastic. When you have the chance to shoot on location, your acting improves. “Cats Cradle”, the OCS’ house, is a huge Cathedral where the walls exude history and the sound echoes in a natural way filling the air. The ancient origin of our Order (The Order of the Cruciform Sword) comes alive. It’s difficult to say which location was my favorite among all those amazing cities – as announced, we shot in Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and also small towns like Ronda, but Mother Superion’s home - the Cathedral of La Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor in Antequera is probably my favorite.
We find out towards the end of the series that Mother Superion was almost a Warrior Nun herself, only to be rejected by the halo. How did that inform your performance throughout the first season? Does she harbor resentment towards Ava Silver?
The outcome may be shaped as resentment towards Ava, but it’s more than that. When I explore a character I always try to find her/its vulnus, her “primeval wound”, so to speak. Ha! I’m Italian, so I tend to make a lot of latin references. It’s generally an emotional wound, but in Mother Superion’s case, it is also physical, her own story is traceable on her skin… (as with the facial scar they gave me.). Hers is a story of rejection. Of strong unfulfilled need, violation and shame. It’s her secret vulnus and eventually gives her a fragility and vulnerability. In her way, of course.
Though your character doesn't actually participate in most of the fights this season, did you undergo any fight training yourself?
Yes, though I didn’t do nearly the amount of training of my girls. The stunt crew were fantastic! Ash Beck – the lead stunt coordinator and Tom Rodgers… all of them, really… were so much fun to work with. And very thorough. And patient. They worked on 'Mission Impossible' and 'Star Wars' films, so they are, of course, some of the best in the business. I had not previously done much combat work, so that part was so much fun.
What are you hoping to see explored more in a potential Season 2?
I think the foundations for future exploration of the story and the characters has been laid. There’s a lot to find out about the pasts of the characters, of the events that characterized the evolution of the OCS. Secrets, mysteries but also thrilling action.
Are there any other projects you're working on that you'd like to talk about?
Since we’re still in the midst of a global viral pandemic and things in the film and television industry is currently so uncertain, it’s difficult to answer this. At some point in the hopefully, not-too-distant future, I want to realize a project with the theater company I co-founded in Rome, called Bluemotion. The idea is for me to do a monologue; “Kill” by Caryl Churchill.
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All episodes of 'Warrior Nun' Season 1 are available to stream on Netflix.