Matilda De Angelis on Luc Besson’s ‘Dracula’ Role

Italian actress Matilda De Angelis steps into the chilling yet captivating world of vampires in Luc Besson’s upcoming film, ‘Dracula: A Love Tale’. De Angelis, known for her versatile performances, recently shared insights into her role as Maria, a society lady turned vampire, and revealed an unexpected source of inspiration for her character: her feline companion. The actress highlighted the unpredictable nature of cats, noting their ability to switch from affectionate cuddling to a sharp bite in an instant, a characteristic she found perfectly embodied the duality Luc Besson envisioned for Maria.

A Fated Collaboration with Luc Besson

Matilda De Angelis’s journey to working with the renowned French director Luc Besson seems almost pre-destined. Her very name, Matilda, was inspired by Natalie Portman’s character in Besson’s 1994 film ‘Léon’. Her parents, captivated by the movie and Portman’s performance, decided on the name for their daughter. De Angelis herself discovered this connection at 13 and subsequently developed a deep appreciation for Besson’s filmography, including works like ‘The Fifth Element’, ‘Valerian’, ‘Arthur’, and ‘Lucy’.

Her initial meeting with Besson took place via Zoom, where their conversation extended beyond the film’s specifics, focusing instead on mutual interests and personal preferences. This foundational discussion eventually led to Besson sharing details about the film and the character of Maria with De Angelis.

Crafting Maria: The Unpredictable Vampire

In ‘Dracula: A Love Tale,’ De Angelis portrays Maria, a former society woman transformed into a vampire by Count Dracula, played by Caleb Landry Jones. The film also features Oscar winner Christoph Waltz as Van Helsing. Besson’s vision for Maria was one of extreme unpredictability, requiring the actress to exhibit rapid and intense mood shifts within a single scene, moving seamlessly between laughter and tears.

De Angelis found her unique inspiration in the behavior of her own cat. She observed that cats possess a certain “craziness,” capable of both tender affection and sudden aggression. This duality—the “sweetness and the ferocity at the same time”—became the cornerstone of her portrayal of Maria. The character is designed to be an animalistic blend, capable of both seductive charm and ferocious attacks.

Facing off against esteemed actors like Christoph Waltz and Caleb Landry Jones presented a significant challenge, but De Angelis embraced it as an opportunity for growth and a testament to the importance of her role.

An International Trajectory

Matilda De Angelis is no stranger to international productions. Before her role in ‘Dracula: A Love Tale,’ she gained recognition in Italy for her award-winning performances in films such as ‘Italian Race’ and ‘Rose Island’. Her international credits include a starring role alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in the HBO miniseries ‘The Undoing’. She also featured in the adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s novel ‘Across the River and Into the Trees,’ working with Liev Schreiber and Josh Hutcherson.

Looking Ahead

Despite her growing success, De Angelis is taking a thoughtful approach to her career’s next steps. She expresses a desire to carefully consider her future projects rather than hastily accepting every offer. Her ambition is to expand her work internationally, beyond Italy, and she is actively seeking compelling characters that resonate with her.

Following her appearance at Lucca Comics and Games with Luc Besson, De Angelis is also set to be seen in Mario Martone’s film ‘Fuori,’ which premiered at Cannes earlier this year and is scheduled for release in France on December 3. Working in France is a particular dream for her, and she looks forward to the film’s reception there.

Conclusion

Matilda De Angelis’s portrayal of Maria in Luc Besson’s ‘Dracula: A Love Tale’ promises to be a nuanced and captivating performance, shaped by her unique approach to character development. Her ability to draw inspiration from the everyday, specifically her cat’s complex nature, underscores her commitment to bringing depth and unpredictability to her roles. As she continues to build an impressive international career, audiences can anticipate more dynamic and thoughtfully crafted performances from this rising star.