Who is Ira Fronten?
Ira Fronten is the stage name of Irma, who, as a child, discovered she was different and aspired to pursue a career beyond societal expectations. One day, Irma grew up and felt overwhelmed by an aggressive new world. To navigate it, she decided to reinvent herself as Ira Fronten: an actor, a warrior, a dreamer, and the creator of her own path because the world offered no space for people like her. People said to me Ira is aggressive, so I am thinking of signing my next projects as Ira Noemi Fronten.
Do you think the film industry today has been damaged by political correctness?
No, it didn’t. I believe the film industry, despite the wonderful films The Seventh Art has given us, has been damaged by making a large portion of the global audience feel insignificant, negative, or worse, invisible. For years, negative messaging, cultural appropriation, omission, and denigration were normalized.
Now, the industry has realized that overlooked audiences lack the motivation to buy tickets, go to theaters, subscribe to platforms, or watch certain TV shows. Marginalized groups are demanding respect and representation. People want their stories back. They want to correct historical inaccuracies—for instance, acknowledging that the real Cleopatra didn’t have violet eyes. After 129 years, the film industry still lacks a Black actress from South America. I come from a continent where nearly 200 million people identify as Afro-descendants. Yet, at this moment, there isn’t a single Black actress in Hollywood, born in South America, representing these people. While we have some amazing actresses, many of them were born in the United States, don’t speak Spanish, or are biracial. A fully Black actress born in South America, who has fought her way into the big industry and serves as a lead character in films and TV series—sending a positive message to Black girls—does not yet exist.
I was fortunate to work with Ridley Scott on House of Gucci. I was lucky that he received my casting tape. In contrast, another audition I submitted for a film starring Denzel Washington never made it to the director. If politically correct means “finding an open door,” then many people like me can still keep believing. If other aspects of political correctness could include addressing sexual harassment, closing the gender pay gap, and creating more equity for women and LGBTQ+ communities well, this can only benefit the industry.
What would you change in the world?
would replace hate with love. People need to discover the transformative power of love in every aspect of life, and for me, films are one of the many ways to experience that. You can’t create a film if you don’t love the process and the people who make it possible.
What was the greatest source of inspiration for creating your project?
When I was very young, I watched a film about Josephine Baker on TV. I thought to myself: I can be an artist too. I can find someone who loves me and change the world while being happy. Josephine Baker adopted many children. I have none and work tirelessly. I created the Italian Black Movie Awards for the 16-year-old Irma who struggled to be recognized. Through this initiative, I wanted to honor the sacrifices made by individuals who persevere in acting or filmmaking despite an entire world pushing against them daily. Perhaps, it is my way of expressing a maternal instinct.
If you could ask a question to a great director from the past, who would you like to talk to and what would you ask them?
I would love to have a long conversation with Gilbert Moses about his experience as the only Black director working on Roots. As for Alfred Hitchcock, I would ask him many questions. Today, more than anything, I would like to know if he were alive today, whether he would consider having me audition for his next film and what he thinks about vertical film festivals.
Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?
I envision people preserving old movie theaters and building new ones everywhere. I foresee increased investment in high-quality projects and stories from historically marginalized communities. I also imagine that every public and private company will offer a ‘culture bonus’ to employees, encouraging them to go to the theater or cinema at least once a month. I see industry workers being treated as employees rather than freelancers. And finally, I see my name in the books of the greatest actresses in cinema history
