florence raggi She is an Argentine film, theater and television actress and model known for her long and prolific career that began in her teens. At 23, she left her successful career in modeling to dedicate herself fully to acting.
He participated in great television successes such as “Poliladron”, “Carola Casini”, “Primicias” and, more recently, “Monzón”. In the cinema she participated in films such as “Causa Effect”, “Three Wishes” and in these weeks she presents her new film entitled “american night”. In addition, he is doing theater with “she in my head“, beside Joaquin Furriel and Juan Leyrado.
From her home in José Ignacio, Punta del Este, where she has been living with her partner for almost 30 years, Nicholas Repettothe actress and mother of Renata and Francisco, talks to NOTICIAS about the Argentine audiovisual industry, her life in Uruguay and what remained of the “femme fatal”.
News: Very recently, Nico and Nico suffered a robbery at their home in Punta del Este. How are you doing? It will have been a great scare for you.
Florence Ragi: Luckily it’s over and we’re all fine. It was a big scare logically, and also apart from the material that could be taken, it is a great invasion of our privacy, they entered our house and our room. Thank God nothing happened to anyone in the family. It was a horrible moment but I don’t want us to live prisoners of fear either. Nico dealt with the legal issue and made the corresponding complaints. We want to leave it in the past.
News: Are you going to stay in Uruguay a while longer? For vacation or work?
raggi: We already had a vacation and now we stay for work. Soon the promo for Noche Americana begins and I am also waiting for the premiere of a play that we are going to do. After that I start to shoot a new movie – where I have a small role – but I still can’t say much about it.
News: Shortly after the release of your latest film, how do you remember filming during the pandemic?
raggi: For me this film was a gift from heaven. There was no work and suddenly this movie fell on me. Filming with the chinstraps was weird, it’s not something we’re used to. We filmed here in Uruguay, at that time there were very few cases and fewer restrictions. The team felt safer. For me as an actress it was quite a challenge but I am very satisfied with the work we did. The team was wonderful and took great care of us, all the necessary rules were followed to ensure that we were all well and that at the same time we could work comfortably.
News: What was it that most attracted you to the project?
raggi: The director without a doubt. Alejandro Basano is a great director who has directed some episodes of La Casa de Papel and many other series. I didn’t know him in person but I knew his work and I always liked his approach. When they told me about the film, I really wanted to be directed by him. Obviously I was also attracted by the fact that he was a leading man, it’s a big challenge. The movie and the character are very nuanced. I think people are going to get hooked on the story, because it’s one of those addictive ones that have you hanging on to your chair expectant of what’s going to happen, what turn it’s going to take. The film also has beautiful photography. It is also an Argentine-Uruguayan production but it also has part of a Spanish production, it is great that so many countries have participated because you find a different touch and perspective from each one.
News: The film refers to the leaking of private photos and videos, now she is an established actress but when she started, all that did not exist. Was she a little more laid back or did she have this fear of the media having access to her stuff?
raggi: The truth is yes. In my beginnings it was very different from what it is today. Today communication is instantaneous and anything can be in the hands of the entire world in a matter of seconds. When I started modeling and acting it wasn’t like that. I understand that other people may have that fear —that what happens to my character happens to them, where they want to blackmail her for a video and her cell phone conversations—, but it is not a fear that I have or have ever had. If they grab my cell phone they won’t find anything (laughs) so I’m calm, but I understand that it’s difficult to live with what they will say about the media. Not only if you said something really bad, but also the fear that you will be taken out of context, that your privacy will be invaded and something will be misunderstood. It really is a very complicated situation, it is something that depends a lot on one’s attitude towards the situations one faces as a public figure.
News: Somehow that fear for many goes hand in hand with the so-called “cancel culture”, what do you think about it?
raggi: It’s like it happens in the film and although we didn’t leave it 100% clear, it’s something we talked about a lot with the director. In that phone there is everything, and for it to be so terrible that this phone reaches the media there has to be something else that we are not seeing. When you enter the world of fame you have a certain level of exposure whether you like it or not. The “cancellation” began to be more viral a few years ago but I think it also remains in the moral of each one: if you did not do anything wrong you do not have to worry, if you do not say anything wrong they will not misunderstand your words either. Some situations are particular and I don’t feel in a position to give an opinion, but everyone has to be responsible for their actions.
News: How do you see the Argentine industry at this time?
Raggi: It seems to me that it is a great moment for Argentine cinema and television, it is completely booming and I love it, it makes me very happy. Both on television channels and streaming platforms and in the cinema and theater. The pandemic was very hard, many artists —not only in Argentina but in the world— did not have a job for almost two years. It was terrible, unimaginable, there are no words to express the fear and uncertainty we feel. I know it happened to a lot of people, I’m not just limiting it to artists. Seeing the industry grow again today is beautiful and hopeful. There are many productions on all channels and platforms that are excellent and many films are coming out. I think it is very important to support national products so that they can continue to be made, so that they continue to grow and reach more and more people.
News: Your character is a femme fatale, what is it like for you to put yourself in the role of this type of woman?
Raggi: It’s not that foreign to me, I’m not wearing it but it’s not that far away either. With my career as a model and actress, I am a bit used to having eyes on me. In this case she is an international actress and she takes her place as diva and star with pride. It was a lot of fun doing it because she had a lot of colors to go through, she doesn’t stop there. While I personally at this point in my life I don’t identify myself with that type of woman, I do embrace my femininity every day but I don’t feel like such a woman, fatal, but I love seeing more women every day showing themselves genuinely as they are and fighting for their dreams. It is very inspiring for everyone.
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by Eugenia Chiona
