With almost 30 years of artistic experience, Danni Suzuki continues to delight audiences by combining acting, directing and screenwriting with high-impact social projects. In an exclusive interview, the actress shared details about her challenging role in Secrets, as a presenter on the fashion reality show New Faces, and revealed her dream of founding an inclusive arts school, combining technology, culture and shelter for refugee children. Suzuki also highlighted the lessons learned from humanitarian initiatives and the transformative power of audiovisual as a means of reflection and social change.
Danni, your career is marked by many facets and achievements. How do you see the impact of this diversity of skills on your personal and professional development?
I certainly see it as my greatest personal wealth. My gratitude to God is immeasurable. I increasingly understand that my profession was the most beautiful choice to deeply experience the human being in different ways. Studying human behavior is already a great and true journey, and being able to “be” different human beings through my work as an actress takes me to an even more intense and profound experience. And, also, being able to write, create and direct stories to inspire other people is very exciting.
In “Secrets,” you play Naomi, a character who lives a complex relationship full of secrets. How did you prepare for such an intense and emotionally charged role?
It was a rescue of past stories, while at the same time opening space, and emotions, to experience the new. It was a very rewarding and challenging work.
What do you think this film can convey to audiences about the difficulties and challenges in abusive relationships and the nuances of marital secrets?
It is a good reflection on how far we allow ourselves to go and endure an abusive relationship, where our values begin to change and what is the value of a life based on appearances. The film shakes up our attitudes amidst a lot of suspense.
You were recently announced as the host of the fashion reality show “New Faces.” What elements of diversity and inclusion do you think will challenge audiences to rethink beauty standards?
All possible elements! Even I myself, when I started, had no idea of the variety and the enormous diversity that we have there. Not only physical differences, but different lives, pains, issues, cultures and very distinct dreams. Beauty extends even in the most diverse forms.
In addition to acting, you have also stood out as a director and screenwriter. How has this behind-the-scenes experience changed your view of cinema and the impact of the stories you want to tell?
It has been the job I enjoy doing the most. The possibility of creating stories and being able to materialize them in the way you imagine is very great for me! More than just a personal satisfaction, I understand the great responsibility that this job entails and how much it changes opinions, inspires and strongly changes the lives of many people.
You have worked on humanitarian projects around the world. What were the main lessons learned from this work and how do they influence your career in audiovisual?
Human beings are driven by emotions, pain, recognition, love… Humanitarian work strengthens compassion and empathy, and this makes us stronger and more capable of acting when faced with life’s difficulties. Working with refugees taught me that when we lose everything, what still sustains us is faith. It doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, but in the end, those who work on their spiritual side understand that the world is necessarily collective and we are here for each other.
What was it like for you to voice over for major DreamWorks productions and what makes this type of work different from other roles you’ve played?
I love dubbing! I have so much fun doing it. It’s extremely difficult, because you have to put emotion into your voice even if you don’t feel it originally, really, in your heart and in a personal way. But it’s one of the jobs I have the most fun doing! Giving voice to a cartoon is a fantastic experience.
After almost 30 years of career, what new goals or challenges do you still hope to achieve and explore in the future, whether in cinema, TV or social projects?
I want to open a great art school. A school that mixes local children with refugees and promotes exchanges between children from all over the world, with arts, sports and lots of technology. This is certainly my greatest wish to be fulfilled.
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