What is the best thing that I love about my work?

 I love to tell stories through my artistic expression (sound, images, writing, acting) without thinking whether I’m: doing good or bad; educating or miseducating; pleasing or unpleasing…

Simply giving my voice as if I was downloading a parallel existence, that is shared through me to this world. And let it flow to people and see how it hits their body and soul. How each person feels and resonates with it. They might feel: entertained, intrigued, healed, questioned, sad, happy etc… You just know you have something within you that you want to share, and so you should.

What is my idea of happiness?

 When you find your path in life. When you feel that your heart, mind, soul (and much more) is in alignment with what you want to do. And then you realize that to go through that path, the positive and negative might work together: Sadness and happiness: comfort and discomfort; achievements and failures.

But the important is that deep inside, you feel good and fulfilled.

What is my greatest fear?

 I always had fear of survival, to have to do things only for money, not to be accepted by the society as I am, not to be free of doing what I want to do. But more and more I began to realize that those fears steamed from deep wounds coming from a past life, and once I remembered it, they began to weaken as my true self flourished more and more.  

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

When I allow fears, confusion or preconceived ideas to undermine my genuine perspective.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

All the artists, whether they are famous or not. I believe artists are more able to be in tune with the needs of humankind than politicians.

On what occasion would I lie?

to protect my loved ones or innocent people.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The mind set of some people within the movie industry, the way that sometimes they make you feel you have to bleed to get somewhere or be somebody.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

When I began to write my feature length screenplay Galhorp in London. The process was so magical and passionate, that made me forget all the hardships I was going through in that period of my life.  

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Impatience.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I think it was when I did my artistic project in Mozambique, Africa. I had been granted what not many people had at the time, a big funding to do the FEAC project created by me (Formation, exchange and artistic creation. I gathered up a team of creatives to work in the National company in Maputo, to create Hoane, a music, dance and theatre piece, and to run workshops of sound, dance, video, music and exchange artistic cultures. I was the artistic director and also a performer. A couple of weeks before the premiere, the government boycotted the process by taking the theatre from us, and disuniting the group against everyone’s will, with no reason (or apparently political). The only option seemed to be to abandon the project, spend the last days at some African beach resort and go back home. But I couldn’t accept that. I was moved by an inner force to move forward after all the work we had done – as in “we love it and we can do this”. So, in 15 days I managed to reunite the team, complete the show and get another theatre to have us.

It was a very risky and bold decision but worth it. Hoane was presented at the Franco-Mozambican theatre and it was a huge success.

Where would I most like to live?

Internationally: England, USA, and where my mum and family is based, in Lisbon, Portugal.

What is my most treasured possession?

To love unconditionally.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Mental independence.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

The big parks in London, amongst big trees and beautiful vegetation, or, in Lisbon, the sunset by the sea.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

To eat, I’d rather eat in Lisbon, the food is better. Having grilled fresh fish with fresh vegetables by the sea.

What books influenced my life and how?

I don’t actually know how or how much some books influenced my life but I can name some that pop up immediately:

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse; Great exposure of wisdom.

Six Memos for the next Millenium by Italo Calvino: Interesting thoughts, beautifully elucidated.

Caravans by James A. Michener: I love adventure stories, and this one is true and explores different cultures, customs and unheard-of happenings.

Anne Frank Diary: It was awful, I was very young when I read the book and I cried so much, but was very grateful for her to share her story.

 Only Love is real by Brian Weiss: I came across this book and found it very interesting, many years later I would do a self-regression myself.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

A music composed by me.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

The Natvi tribe in Avatar.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

Every single being who is working for is well being and therefore contributing for the well being of others.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

I’m a filmmaker, I’ve seen so many movies throughout my life that I would recommend.

So, again, I’ll just mention the one that comes immediately to my mind, Blade Runner by Ridley Scott.

What role play stories in my life and work?

Stories are part of my life, it’s very natural to me to tell a story whether I have experienced it or not.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

It means you have to make your own story, not live other people’s stories.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

I’m Looking for the one.

Which people or companies would I like to work with ?

Producer Brad Pitt from Plan B Entertainment, CA USA

Producer William Shatner

Working Title Films (production company)

Focus Features (production company)

# Any company which is open to receive my feature film Galhorp

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I’m looking forward to getting my feature film Galhorp on the big screen. I’ve written the screenplay and I want to play one of the main characters. For that I’d love to find the right team to work with me in this beloved project.

Where can you see me or my work?

As an actress my latest job was in one episode of the TV series Sandman 2 on Netflix (to be announced soon), Role of Priestess.

I can also be seen in an award winning (including best actress) short film, which I wrote, starred in it and produced. It has finished the festival circuit and it’s uploaded on youtube: 

I have a nominated animation short screenplay seeking funding, The flight of the bat,

My website where you can find more information about my work:

www.alturas-productions.com

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

If I’m passionate, life is my life. If I’m not passionate, life is just life.