Griselda Siciliani: "It was close to standing on the body of Moria"

Griselda Siciliani has taken on the role of Moria Casán in the eight-part Netflix series Moria, which premiered on Friday. The production, created and directed by Javier Van de Couter, features three actresses portraying different stages of Casán’s life: Sofía Gala Castiglione, Griselda Siciliani, and Cecilia Roth. Siciliani portrays Casán from her forties up until around her sixties, including her transition into becoming a talk show host with Entre Moria y vos in 2001 and her decision to write her autobiography, Me Moria, published in 2012. The series spans Casán’s journey from her early days in cabaret theatre through to her current status as an influential public figure approaching her eightieth birthday, which she will celebrate on June 16. The production was developed by About Entertainment, an Argentine production company led by Mercedes Reincke and Armando Bo. Siciliani, who previously played Zulema Yoma in Menem, spoke about how she approaches such complex roles. She emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, including studying extensive materials about the character. In this case, she had access to Casán’s autobiography, which she read before even receiving the scripts for the series. This allowed her to begin preparing while juggling other projects, such as filming the fourth season of Envidiosa, working on a film by Alex de la Iglesia titled Felicidades, and performing in a theatrical production. Siciliani described the process of understanding Casán’s essence as one of deep emotional engagement. She noted that Casán is constantly exposed to public scrutiny and does not appear to follow a strategy or self-censorship. Instead, she embraces her experiences openly, which Siciliani felt compelled to replicate in her portrayal. “I thought I needed to approach her as an actress, more than anything else, in a very raw way,” she said. “But I told myself: ‘Here, I have to let go of everything.’” This mindset helped her connect with the character despite the physical and emotional distance between them. The series explores themes of time and relevance, reflecting Casán’s ability to transform personal challenges into unique expressions of herself. Siciliani highlighted how Casán continuously reinvents her shortcomings, turning discomfort into distinctiveness. “She doesn’t dwell on the past,” Siciliani explained. “She always moves forward, even in pain, frustration, or wounds.” This resilience resonated with Siciliani, who found parallels between Casán’s journey and universal human experiences such as motherhood, work, and staying relevant. Siciliani acknowledged that interpreting Casán required both research and imagination. While she relied heavily on video analysis to understand Casán’s mannerisms, speech patterns, and thought processes, she also engaged in creative speculation about how Casán might respond in hypothetical situations. “Acting involves imagining,” she said. “That’s part of the job.” The experience of embodying Casán left a lasting impression on Siciliani. She reflected on the shared human concerns explored in the series, noting that despite their differences, both she and Casán come from a dance background, which aided her in connecting with the character. “It felt close to standing in her body,” she said. “When they put on the prosthetics, heels, wig, clothes, and makeup, it was easier to get into her skin.” The series offers a multifaceted portrait of Casán, blending her professional achievements with personal reflections. It captures the evolution of a woman navigating fame, aging, and identity in a rapidly changing world. Siciliani’s performance adds depth to this narrative, offering viewers a glimpse into the complexities of a public figure whose life has been shaped by both admiration and controversy. As the series unfolds, it promises to provide insight into the enduring legacy of Moria Casán, both as an artist and a cultural icon.