The actress Maria Bakalova, a Bulgarian who gained notoriety for her performance in the 2020 movie "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," has opened up about her collaboration with Sacha Baron Cohen. On October 10, Bakalova, 28, spoke in the Dotdash Meredith headquarters in New York City. She referred to Cohen, 52, as a mentor during the filming process.
Speaking with Senior Movies News Editor Nigel Smith, Bakalova recalled her first encounters with Cohen and the profound influence he had on her acting style, particularly on such an unusual and exciting subject. "I played with Sacha in a way that was so lovely and innocent. It everything comes down to teamwork, and having a wonderful partner just makes you better," she said.
Before their cooperation, Bakalova was not familiar with Cohen's comic work, but she did know him from his parts in "Les Misérables" (2012) and "The Spy" (2019). Her choice to take on the assignment was greatly impacted by Cohen's kind and supportive demeanor. "I could trust him completely because I always felt safe and taken care of," Bakalova said, highlighting the strong emotional connection and trust that grew between them.
Bakalova was placed in uncertain scenarios throughout the film, which features daring and amusing exchanges with actual individuals, but she felt safe in the knowledge that Cohen was there to mentor and shield her. He's going to save me if things take a different turn. He's really knowledgeable, and he held my hand the entire time," she said.
With its bold premise including celebrities like Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" gained notoriety prior to the 2020 presidential election. Bakalova was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance, which put her in the company of renowned performers like Olivia Colman and Glenn Close.
Bakalova is currently starring in "The Apprentice," another highly charged political movie, in which she plays Ivana Trump and Sebastian Stan plays a younger Donald Trump. Speaking about her most recent endeavor, she emphasized the spirit of cooperation that director Ali Abbasi cultivated and the creative freedom that results from the cast's mutual confidence.
The current theatrical release of "The Apprentice" is yet another important turning point in Bakalova's rapidly developing career.