Toni Collette: Film, A Moment of Self-Discovery

Toni Collette (51) shares her journey of self-discovery through film.

DOHA FILM INSTITUTE/JOHN PHILLIPS

Toni Collette appeared as the keynote speaker in the Qumra Masterclass on the first day of Qumra 2024, held by the Doha Film Institute in Doha, Qatar on Friday (1/3/2024).

Each person has their own way of finding their identity. Actress Toni Collette (51), who was once haunted by feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem, learned to empathize and understand herself precisely through the various roles she obtained in film. Without realizing it, he continues to transform through contemplation of his role to understand his true identity.

His smile brightened when he stepped onto the stage of the workshop class at Qumra 2024 which was held at the Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha, Qatar, Friday (1/3/2024). He opened a series of classes at a talent incubator event for Arab and international filmmakers that day,

The selection of Collette as the first speaker in a series of classes for a week was indeed appropriate. The presence of the actress who has been in the industry for 23 years was able to open the eyes of the participants who attended, showing that film and acting is not just about the dazzling spotlight of popularity, but also an effective way to recognize oneself.

"I have made peace with myself and am no longer influenced by the thoughts and words of others, thanks to the many roles I take on with my regular meditation practice. Even this acting art I have considered as its own moment of meditation," Collette enthusiastically stated.

Initially, she admitted that she was just a teenage Australian girl who was confused about the direction of her life. Especially with her family's limited circumstances, Collette is careful about having goals. His father works as an intercity truck driver and his mother is a customer service worker whose days are spent receiving customer complaints.

However, her desire to enter the world of art was difficult to contain when she was in high school, Blacktown Girls High School. It was also here that he fell in love with tap dance and the world of musical theater which would later become his provision in exploring the world of entertainment in the land of kangaroos and penetrating Hollywood.

KOMPAS/RIANA A IBRAHIM

The Qumra 2024 class was opened on Friday (1/3/2024) by actress Toni Collette (right) and Richard Pena who is a film department professor at Columbia University.

Despite not being financially stable, both parents made an effort to support their child's dreams and talents. Collette, who began to show development through school theater, was eventually transferred to the Australian Theatre of Young People. The parents made the right decision as this eldest of three siblings stands out from the crowd.

Spotswood (1991) was his first film after moving from theater stage to theater stage and from series to series. Together with Anthony Hopkins and fellow newcomer actor at that time, Russell Crowe, Collette starred in the role. Even though he was in a supporting role, his acting skills were appreciated. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 1991 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA).

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Then, in her second film, Muriel's Wedding (1994), Collette immediately got the main role. “Oh no, that was me. Nothing has changed, right? Ha-ha-ha.... I didn't expect it at that time. "But at that time, somehow it felt easy, because the roles I got were appropriate to my age at that time and what was happening around me," explained Collette while laughing at her youth after seeing footage from Muriel's Wedding that was screened in class screen that day.

However, Collette's statement is true. Physically, Collette hasn't changed much. Fine wrinkles are clearly visible on her face, but the lines of her expression remain the same as when she played Muriel. From here, her steps widened to reach Hollywood after being nominated for Best Actress in the musical/comedy film category at the Golden Globes Awards (1996).

Explorer

"Everything feels like starting over, but that's just how the journey of acting goes. After all, what is interesting about a film or any art production cannot be done alone. The lead actor won't shine without their supporters, right? So, whatever role I get, they are all valuable," said Collette, who also doesn't limit herself to specific film genres.

This belief and mindset led him to various achievements. In 2000, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards for the film The Sixth Sense (1999) made by M Night Shyamalan, starring alongside Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment.

From psychological thriller films, Collette was again stunning in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), which is a dark comedy. Through this film, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards for the second time. Overall, Collette has been a Golden Globe nominee five times. Of these, Collette finally took home the title of Best Actress from the Golden Globe in the drama series United States of Tara (2009-2011).

The main character won't shine without his supporting cast, right? So, whatever roles I get, they are definitely worth it.

"Meeting many people, delving into each role with their respective problems, playing different emotions from each genre brings me to a different perspective on life. Instead of losing my identity, I actually found it," said Collette.

Moreover, he said that deepening each role was like a moment of meditation. ”Acting is generally quite meditative for me. I don't know how to do it because everything flows. I don't even think I saw the camera. I was just completely in the world at that moment and became very present immersed in the role. I meditate now and see how similar the practice is," he said after seeing footage from the film Miss You Already (2015), where he was a person with cancer.

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For him, every role brings its own learning experience. How he views protagonists, antagonists, and gray characters makes it easier for him to live his life. He admits that, initially, his ego drove him to appear great in his exploration of various genres. However, at one point, he realized that the art of acting is very fundamental and sacred, not just to pursue fleeting popularity.

"Therefore, the most important thing is me, not other people's opinions anymore. I apply this in determining the role I want to play. Now, the stage has reached the point that I know who I am. And I want to protect that and I want to live my own life," said Collette, who also plays in the horror genre in Hereditary (2018).

New phase

Now, Collette is also exploring experience as a producer under the banner of her company, Vocab Films. After taking classes in Doha, Qatar, he immediately flew to France to look for shooting locations for his latest film, A French Pursuit. This comedy drama genre film is a remake of the 2020 French hit comedy film, My Donkey, My Lover & I or in French entitled Antoinette Dans Les Cévennes< /i>.

I don't want to just be an actor. Being an actor is actually a very small part of the filmmaking process.

Collette, who also continues to star in this film, collaborates with New Sparta Productions. This is Collette's third production with Catherine Hardwicke and Christopher Simon at New Sparta Productions. Previously were Miss You Already (2015) andMafia Mamma (2023). Apart from that, he also tried to sit in the director's chair.

“From here, I learned a lot about how to put a film together from the first scene. I don't want to just be an actor. "Being an actor is actually a very small part of the filmmaking process," he said, who is currently busy with Writers and Lovers, an adaptation of Lily King's novel.

Born: Sydney, Australia, November 1, 1972