I traveled to Amsterdam earlier this week with "THE" mission of interviewing one of the nominated performers for the best actress prize at the Septimius Award, one of Europe's most prestigious accolades. I met her at the Amsterdam International Theater (ITA), and I asked, "Excuse me, can I interview you now?" The answer, accompanied by a big smile, was "Of course, yes!"

Tainá Muller was born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She is a journalist, actress, and director, known for Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within (2010), Cão Sem Dono (2007), and Good Morning, Verônica (2020).

"Good Morning, Verônica" is a Brazilian Netflix series that was first released in 2020. It is based on the homonymous novel written by Raphael Montes and Ilana Casoy. The series follows the story of Verônica Torres, a police administrative secretary who becomes involved in a dangerous investigation after witnessing a woman's suicide at a police station. While trying to uncover the truth, Verônica finds herself entangled in a web of crime and corruption. "Good Morning, Verônica" tackles intense and dark themes, including domestic violence, serial killers, and human trafficking. The series received positive reviews for its gripping storyline, powerful performances, and social commentary. I'm glad that I managed to interview Tainá the day before she won the America's Best Actress Award.

Tainá, Is this the second time you’re nominated for your performance in Good Morning, Veronica? How do you feel about this second nomination?

Well, when I was nominated for the first time, it was a surprise! It is very difficult for a Brazilian production to be considered for these awards, especially because they’re often unknown outside Brazil. We have the issue of the Portuguese language, which is not widely spoken, so it's really cool that this buzz on Bom Dia, Veronica, has happened. The first season was a success, and the second season exceeded expectations. It was in the top 10 most-watched series in several countries, and this is a hopeful sign for the Brazilian audiovisual industry. Reaching more countries worldwide through streaming companies like Netflix, for example, means that the globalization of the market is becoming a reality.

What is it like to be among the five best actresses in the Americas? (The interview was done the day before Tainá won the Septimius Award.)

I try not to think about it too much, so I don't get nervous. I am here to enjoy the festival with Zé Henrique da Fonseca (director of Good Morning, Veronica), and my husband Henrique Sauer (who is himself a film director), so I'm taking it all slowly, celebrating the nomination. The outcome? Let's see what will happen. Good Morning, Veronica was nominated for best series, and I was nominated for best actress! Let's see, whatever will be, will be!

What are your wishes for the future of Brazilian audio-visual productions?

I want more investment. I wish for more seriousness in our market so that it becomes the industry that it needs to become. The Brazilian audio-visual market is huge. We live in a continental country, so although Portuguese is not a widely spoken language globally, like Spanish is, for example, we alone in Brazil are a huge audio-visual market. There are many of us living in this giant country, Brazil. That is a fact recognized by the streaming companies outside of Brazil, and they are investing there more and more. We can also better ourselves and make the industry improve more and more as professionals. Nowadays, we have an incredible need for diversity, for example, but I think there is still a lack of investment in training. We need to build a new industry with diversity; we need more women, more black people, and more indigenous and LGBTQ2+ people, but we also have to invest in the training of younger people who are now entering the market. I think that because we live in a continental country, we have to think that we can export cultural products and reach other places, thus opening several doors: for our tourism and for our commerce, for example. The USA did this many years ago. Cinema was fundamental for the USA to build politically and economically into what it has become today. So it's a view that we need to take more seriously; it's not just fun, cinema is paramount to the culture of the world.

What are your plans for the present and the future?

I'm looking forward to the third season of Good Morning, Veronica, which comes with many surprises. The well-known actors Rodrigo Santoro and Maitê Proença are joining the cast. We are super happy with what we have filmed so far. Now, I really want to be a slightly more authorial actress. I am directing and producing a documentary that has already been recorded and will probably be released next year. Apollo is a documentary about a transcentric family. Lorenzo Gabriel accidentally became pregnant with Isis Broken during the pandemic, and that is the premise of our film. We follow Lorenzo's pregnancy until Apollo's birth. I also want to open a production company together with my husband, and we are looking into acquiring some books’ rights. My idea is to become a content producer because my own history with cinema started before I was an actress. Previously, I was an assistant director and an assistant editor, so the idea is to bring all of those professional experiences back together again.

In conclusion, our conversation with Tainá Muller, conducted just a day before her remarkable victory at the Septimius Awards, provides a unique glimpse into the world of an incredibly talented actress and visionary in the Brazilian film and television industry.

Tainá's second nomination for her outstanding performance in "Good Morning, Verônica" culminated in her well-deserved win as the best actress in the Americas. Her humble and composed demeanor in the interview perfectly aligns with the grace she displayed on the awards stage.

As she basks in the glory of her recent achievement, Tainá's hopes for the future of Brazilian audiovisual productions take on even greater significance. Her call for more investment, diversity, and training underscores her commitment to the industry's growth and her dedication to fostering new talent. While we celebrate Tainá Muller's recent triumph, we also eagerly anticipate the third season of "Good Morning, Verônica" and her upcoming documentary "Apollo," which promises to bring unique and compelling stories to audiences around the world.

With her continued success and her unwavering passion for filmmaking, Tainá Muller is undoubtedly a shining star in the global cinematic landscape, and we look forward to witnessing her future accomplishments as she continues to make her mark as an actress, director, and producer. Congratulations to Tainá on her remarkable win and her promising future in the world of cinema.