Watch the opera «Tosca» in Eptower and she loved the performance and the energy of the space. She enjoyed swimming at sunset on the Perea and fresh seafood in local restaurants. She loves baklava, but works out hard to keep her body in shape and is always up for a new role or opportunity in the competitive film industry. Impressed by her monuments Thessaloniki, loved his paintings Nikos Vavatsis exhibited in the halls of the hotel «Hyatt» where he lives and wants to return to the city for a new production - he is already thinking about a TV series about Alexander the Great.
The Ukrainian-American producer of «The Enforcer», Natalie Byrne (Natalie Burn) spoke to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency about his first major production Hollywood in Thessaloniki, about her life, her collaboration with Hollywood stars such as Antonio Banderas and the Kate Bosworth and her deep desire to be a role model for other women, showing them that «when they want to achieve something, they can». She stresses that for a young woman, surviving and succeeding as a producer in Hollywood can be difficult, but not impossible.
She is persistent in setting goals she wants to achieve and allows herself to enjoy every step of the way, but only for a short time before moving on to the next dream.
He has come many times to Greece, mainly in Mykonos and in Athens, but this is the first time he is visiting Thessaloniki. He was fascinated by the history, culture, sea and beaches of the area. «I didn't know what to expect, but the city has fascinated me,» says Natalie Byrne.
She describes as unique her experience at the Eptapyrgio, where she attended Giacomo Puccini's opera «Tosca». «The acoustics were amazing. It's a great idea to make the most of this place, using its architecture and history. I was walking around and looking at the doors, which were once prison doors, and I really felt the energy. Not an energy that causes pain, but one that empowers you,» he says.
During the one month that he has been in Thessaloniki for the needs of filming, he has gone out for lunch a few times. «The fish is very fresh and the prices are pleasantly low compared to what I'm used to in Athens, London and Los Angeles,» he says. In her free time, however, she prefers to go with her mother, who accompanies her on the trip, for walks around the city and visits to monuments. «It's impressive to walk around a city with so much history,» she says. She was very impressed that the whole town knows about the film being made. «Everywhere we go, they tell us about the Banderas movie,» she says with a smile.
The «origin» of «The Enforcer»
It took Natalie Byrne five years to see the «The Enforcer» to start becoming a reality and, he says, he almost can't believe it's happening. When she read Peter Iliff's script, it took her a year to convince him to give her the rights. She then had to overcome a number of other problems, but she didn't give up... She finally worked with Millennium Media and suggested to Banderas« manager that the popular actor should take the lead role, explaining that he was the perfect leading man for the film. Once Banderas agreed to do the film, everything started rolling.
«I knew he was perfect for the role. With his experience, he brings a layered dimension to the character he's playing. Gentle, but also on the edge,» Byrne notes, explaining that the film is mostly about the character's (Banderas) realization of the precious time he has lost, especially when it comes to his relationship with his daughter. The producer also found it fascinating to work with Kate Bosworth, whom she said she enjoyed bringing the role of the femme fatale to life.
«I always fight for equal respect between women and men»
«I like that he paints women in a way that we feel like we are looking at their souls and seeing their inner beauty,» she says, commenting on the paintings of Thessaloniki painter Nikos Vavatsis, which are on display in the lobby of the Hyatt where the interview took place.
Natalie Byrne's goal is to bring out the soul and power of women in the male-dominated Hollywood film industry.
«I've had a very difficult time trying to break that and explain to people in the film industry that they shouldn't be judged on looks alone. I know that when they see me for the first time, they see a young, beautiful woman. It was very difficult for me when I first got there. Despite the fact that I learned a lot about acting and producing, despite the fact that I joined the Actor's Studio, I was very naive in thinking that all doors are open, that you just have to work hard. It's often not that easy for women. I didn't have the support of a rich husband or a friend to make the right calls. I was completely alone. I never took an easy route and would never say “yes” to anything that went against my values and beliefs. I am not afraid to speak my mind and that is not always easily accepted. I always fight for equal respect between women and men and that is my main goal as a female producer. I want to be a role model, inspiring another woman to say “if you can do it, I can do it”,» she explains to APMPA to add emphatically, «I am not a favourite of anyone. I have worked very hard to demand respect.» She may enjoy working as a producer, but acting remains her great love. Besides, one of the reasons she became a producer is in order to create roles she is proud of, and she says she is grateful to have played an interesting character in The Enforcer opposite Banderas.
Banderas, a real Picasso
He speaks admiringly of the film's protagonist. «Watching Antonio work is like watching Picasso paint. He is a true artist and visionary who brings depth and life to all his characters,» the producer notes, adding that Banderas «is one of the few actors who can really do it all. He does theatre, he knows how to play instruments, dance, sing and how to develop a character.».
A Hollywood series about Alexander the Great?;
Natalie Byrne believes that this production currently underway in Thessaloniki will pave the way for others in the region. «Greece gave the incentive with the cash rebate and I think if this stays in place we will come back with new productions. In the next project I would like to take into account the rich Greek history and maybe do, for example, a TV series about Alexander the Great.».
The film «The Enforcer», which is expected to be released in spring 2022, is being shot exclusively in Thessaloniki. Currently, at least 200 people are working on the production with 1000 supporting actors from the city. He speaks of the «impeccable professionalism of the Greeks», describing them as «humble» and «dedicated to their work» and says that the production has «effectively managed to unite different nationalities. After all, we all want the film to succeed and every film is a team effort», concludes Natalie Byrne.
