Capítulo 36: Actor is Only Human Too
The doorbell rang about twenty-five minutes after his call. Dominik was still upstairs, so to meet his request, Andrzej opened the door.
"Hi, I guess I didn't get the address wrong?"
"Come in, please." Nowicki recognized Piotr Duda and invited him inside.
It is true that they were talking to each other for the first time in their lives, but they did see each other in the editorial office and, in line with the Western custom, they all called each other by name.
"Thanks. The old man was surprised by your call. He did not expect Śliwiński to ever agree to an interview. How did you get him to do this?"
"I did not persuade him to do anything and I do not know if it will be an interview per se. He said he had something to say to the media. To tell the truth, I don't know the details myself."
"Whatever, I'll see for myself soon. Where is our star?" Duda looked around the room.
"Upstairs. Would you like something to drink?"
"Water. Ehm…" he nodded his head appreciatively "nice house, but modest. You could say that quite ordinary ..."
"And what did you expect, ebony panels? Sid down" he pointed to the couch and then looked towards the stairs and called: "The reporter has already come!"
"Thank you! I'm right down!"
Andrzej was already placing a glass of water in front of the journalist sitting on the couch, when he noticed Dominik coming down.
The actor looked radiant in a shiny white shirt and beige linen pants. He was fashionably groomed and there was no sign of fatigue or breakdown on his face. Instead, Andrzej Nowicki saw a beautiful, charming smile with which Śliwiński seduced from the screen.
For some reason the sight made him sad again. He knew what he had in front of him was a lie, a play he had to take to trick a reporter. Nowicki did not want to see the mask that had cost Dominik a lot of effort to put on. That he had to pretend to keep his appearances cruel to him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Dominik turned to the reporter who stood up to meet him. "My name is Dominik Śliwiński."
"I am pleased to meet you. I am Piotr[1] Duda" he shook the hand that was offered to him.
"Thank you for taking the trouble. Please, sit down. Andrzej, don't stand there. Please keep us company."
"Yes of course."
Dominik sat down on the couch with Duda, although he kept a very decent distance. Nowicki settled into the armchair and waited with interest for the course of the event.
"I am glad that you decided to give us an interview. I've been a fan of your work for years. Can we record our conversation?"
"Of course. Before we start, however, let's establish one thing - I decide how far we go in the conversation."
"As you wish," he pulled out the recorder. "Can we start?"
"Yes. I asked you here because there are rumors in the media about my participation in a French film. True, there were discussions about it and I met a few people from the production, but we didn't even get to the casting stage. I know a lot of people would like to see me in a Baptiste movie, but I withdrew from applying for the role."
"Readers will surely be interested, why such a decision?"
"Let me explain. Your editorial colleague made me realize how much interest my private life is among my fans, meanwhile I discovered that by devoting myself to work, I stopped having any private life. Even in the privacy of the house, the only thing I pay attention to is preparation for the role. Although a role with such a talented director would have brought me even more fame, it would have robbed me of any hope of any personal life."
This answer frankly surprised Andrzej. Dominik did not imply with a single word or gesture that something inappropriate had happened between him and someone from the production. Of course, Nowicki did not expect the actor to cry during the interview and to complain about his misfortune, but his cold professionalism and diplomacy really impressed Andrzej. Dominik withdraws from the project not because he doesn't like it, or because he doesn't like the director etc. He does it because his job takes up too much of his private life. Such an argument will not offend anyone and nowadays everyone will understand it. It is true that Śliwiński was not the busiest actor in the world, but everyone who worked professionally must have had a moment in their life when they wanted to take a long break.
But does it not mean that Dominik will not also play a role in another production?
Yes, it was likely. It's a pity, it's a real pity, but since his manager did such things to him, it might be better for him if Śliwiński really retires for a while, rests calmly and recovers his strength.
"You would definitely find some time to meet someone you love" Duda pointed.
Here it starts! Personal questions that interest fans so much and tease artists so much. Andrzej gritted his teeth and waited with uncertainty for Dominik's answer. He hoped the touchy topic would not be too hard for him.
"Unfortunately, to fall in love you have to have time to meet someone"
Śliwiński smiled sadly and Andrzej could have sworn that he saw a longing for love in his eyes. He had no idea how much truth there was to it and how much media play, but if he did not know what the young actor had been through recently, he would have believed in the sincerity of this look.
The expression on Piotr Duda's face told Nowicki that the journalist believed Dominik and the longing of his eyes completely.
"I would also like to bear in mind" Dominik continued with nostalgia in his voice "that the person I am feeling would be under the constant scrutiny of sensational media. I respect my fans and I am grateful to them for their interest and support, but I have a heartfelt plea to them - if you respect and cheer me up, please let me live peacefully without media pressure. I am also only human and I would like to be able to go out for a beer with friends or for dinner in a nice restaurant without fear that I will be attacked by media gossip."
"It's a bit harsh on the media" said Duda.
Dominik looked at Andrzej.
"Journalists and photographers only do their job, which is to fulfill the wishes of the readers" Dominik replied. "But yes, sometimes the media forget its true mission to tell the truth and go a little too far. Although the actor is a public person, it does not mean that he has got rid of basic human rights. It would be nice if the media, instead of mindlessly following the voice of readers or viewers, from time to time reminded them that certain limits should not be exceeded. People may forget, but the media shouldn't. "
[1] Earlier, another version of his name appeared, Piotrek. This is not a mistake. Piotrek is a diminutive of the name Piotr.
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