On Monday 11 December, Tilda Swinton and Olivier Saillard held a press conference at the Onassis Stegi. Although after many hours of rehearsals, the two artists presented themselves in a good mood and impeccable behaviour before the journalists, willing to answer any question related to the performance “Embodying Pasolini “.

Costumes by Danilo Donati for Pier Paolo Pasolini films. Onassis Stegi

In fact, Tilda Swinton welcomed us with great warmth, stressing that in Scotland, where she comes from, “we shake everybody’s hand”. It is worth noting that Tilda Swinton has many important collaborations on her CV, with some of the most groundbreaking filmmakers in the world, including Derek Jarman (1942-1994), Jim Jarmusch, Wes Anderson, Sally Potter and David Fincher. For her performance in Tony Gilroy’s Michael Clayton, she won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. From 11 to 16 December, Athenian audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy her in a “ritual-like fashion show” where the renowned actress, under the direction of Olivier Saillard, will breathe new life into costumes by Danilo Donati (1926-2001) from classic masterpieces by Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922-1975). Tilda Swinton, during the interview, said that all these costumes, which often end up unclaimed after a film has been made, essentially invite her to tell their story. At the same time, together with the director of the performance, they acknowledge the indelible mark Pasolini left on world cinema, so great that he paid for it with his own life.

Still from the Press Conference, Onassis Stegi

We may not have been able to see the show itself, as tickets sold out in record time, but it only took a few minutes at the press conference to realize that Tilda Swinton has all the makings of a great actress. Like any great actress, she has the joy of a small child in bringing everything around her to life. To give Danilo Donati’s costumes a chance to exist. As she also pointed out, “clothes are choices”. That’s why she chose, after a long night, to dress in pink and thus give a tonic injection of her energy.

For those lucky enough to secure a seat at the performance, on Friday 15 December 2023, after the performance, there will be a discussion with Olivier Saillard and Tilda Swinton at -1 of Stegi, with simultaneous interpretation in Greek.

For More Information: https://www.onassis.org/el/whats-on/embodying-pasolini-olivier-saillard-tilda-swinton