-Who is Dani Gondim?

Dani Gondim is a daughter, a sister, a wife, an actress. I would say I am absolutely everyone I love, with an extra touch of boldness and maybe a little bit of madness. If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be “artist.” And for me, being an artist is not simply what I do; it’s what exists within me. Everything I do, everything I live, and the way I feel reflects this artistic essence.

-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

I don’t remember a specific moment when I fell in love with cinema. I think cinema and the arts have always been present in my life – both as entertainment and as a source of learning. Since I was a child, art, theater, painting, reading, and writing have saved me from the frustration of not feeling understood by the “real world,” by traditional school. Cinema was one of the places where I found myself and understood my ability to be and to create. So, maybe it wasn’t a moment of “falling in love,” but rather an understanding that art saved my existence.

-Which actor inspires you the most?

The actress who inspires me the most is Marjorie Estiano. I find her brilliant, strong, and powerful. Every time she’s acting, I can feel her soul pulsing, just like the character’s. She lives the moment so truthfully that I deeply connect with her performance. If one day I could be just a strand of her hair, it would already be incredible.

–What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

What bothers me the most about the world – or, more specifically, our Western system – is the idea that everything is buyable or payable. This leads to so many wonderful things going unseen or unheard simply because there aren’t financial resources to produce or promote them. If I could change something, I would love for all beings in the world to be free and happy. There’s a phrase in meditation practice that says “Namah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu,” which means may all beings in the world be free and happy. When basic needs are not met, people can’t be truly free. And if I could, I would change that.

-How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

Wow, I’d never thought about that before! I think that while artificial intelligence – which has a lot of “artificial” and little “intelligence” – is taking over many spaces and markets, I also see so much good, visceral art with soul and body being created and recognized. I imagine that in 100 years we’ll see this duality: an explosion of magnificent films, with editing becoming more accessible and effects that were once unimaginable, but also a return to a more raw, stripped- down, “roots” style of cinema, as a counterbalance to all this technology. I think this coexistence will be fascinating.

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

I see WILD FILMMAKER and Michele Diomà as disruptive forces. To me, they represent a fight with the system, but from the inside out – embracing the system while also questioning and resisting it. It’s a way to keep independent cinema alive, with space, voice, and strength. And that’s exactly what I want to be part of.