Olena Donenko: Beauty as a Way of Being
June 13, 2025
Norma Pablo: the actress turning every story into a powerful statement
From a film debut alongside Denzel Washington in Man on Fire to an Ariel nomination for Prayers for the Stolen, Norma Pablo brings depth, precision, and quiet intensity to every role. Each performance is shaped by intuition, social insight, and a deep respect for storytelling as a form of truth. The journey spans auteur cinema, powerful social dramas, and collaborations with visionary directors like Tony Scott and Tatiana Huezo. Beyond the screen, there’s a commitment to giving voice to women rarely portrayed with complexity — women living on the edges of visibility.
How did working on Man on Fire alongside Denzel Washington at the start of your career shape your path?
It was, without a doubt, my professional entry into film. I remember auditioning and landing the role of Reina Rosas Sánchez—it was actually my very first casting. From the moment I met director Tony Scott, we had great chemistry. He was a generous and creative soul. I will always have fond memories of him because he gave me my first opportunity to act in a film, and it happened to be alongside an extraordinary actor like Denzel Washington—one of the best actors in the world. He’s both professional and passionate. We joked around a lot. At the time, I was a smoker, and my character was pregnant.Denzel thought I was actually pregnant and told me not to smoke because it would harm the baby—haha! I told him I wasn’t pregnant and showed him it was just a prosthetic. We both laughed so much about it.
We always rehearsed beforehand, line by line in English. Then he wanted to try doing it in Spanish and asked for a translation—within minutes, he had memorized it. Working with Denzel and Tony taught me the importance of respecting the set and understanding that cinema is magic. They inspired me deeply. A funny thing is that back in high school, my literature teacher took us to see Philadelphia, and I remember watching Denzel and thinking, “One day, I’m going to act with him.” And well, the rest is history.
What did working with Tatiana Huezo on Prayers for the Stolen (Noche de Fuego)
teach you?
It was an intense shoot, filled with learning experiences—first and foremost as an actress.Building the fictional world took time, bonding, crafting each scene, and allowing myself to truly believe. I also realized that as an actress, sometimes you have to unlearn things.
I was lucky to work with a crew that was passionate about their work. I met incredibly talented people—my fellow actresses and, of course, Tatiana herself, who is a passionate and committed director. I also gained lifelong friends.
Thanks to this incredible project, I received my first Ariel Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film also carries important social weight—it portrays a harsh reality that Mexico continues to face today.
What did your Ariel nomination for Noche de Fuego mean to you?
It meant a great deal. It was a beautiful encouragement to keep striving to be a better actress. My acting teacher, Raúl Zermeño, used to say, “Be the best actress you can be for your country,” and he was absolutely right.It felt like a warm hug from my industry, and at the same time, it inspired and motivated me even more to keep filming and to take on projects that challenge me.
How would you describe the current moment for Mexican cinema on the international stage?
It’s a great moment. Mexican cinema is gaining international recognition because its films focus on the human condition and push the boundaries of fiction. We’re telling powerful stories, and there’s a surge of incredible creative talent across all areas of filmmaking.The rise of Mexican films at international festivals isn’t by chance. Recently, Vergüenza by Miguel Salgado, Hombres Íntegros by Alejandro Pease Andrade, and Violentas Mariposas by Adolfo Dávila have stood out on the global stage. Vergüenza won multiple awards at the Moscow International Film Festival; Hombres Íntegros premiered to great reception in Spain; and Violentas Mariposas was selected for both the Málaga Film Festival and festivals in the U.S.
I had the pleasure of participating in all three films.
This recognition has been years in the making. I fondly remember El Violín by Francisco Vargas, which won the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes. Or Nana, a short film by Diego Luna, which screened at Sundance.Being part of these festivals has been a point of pride and a testament that we are creating work on par with the world’s top productions.
How has your experience been working with non-professional or natural actors in various productions?
It’s greatly enriched both my acting craft and my human experience. I had the chance to live for almost two months in a Purepecha community while filming Lucifer by Gus Van den Berghe, which premiered at the Rome Film Festival and won Best Feature at GIFF 2015.
It made me realize the immense potential that non-professional actors can have.In Prayers for the Stolen, it was the debut performance for the young girls who starred in the film, but that in no way hindered the quality of their work. What matters is constructing the fictional world—and being open to creating it together.
What acting method do you follow, or how would you describe your process for building a character?In school, you’re taught a specific method or structure—but over time, you either break it or reinforce it with new tools you gather along the way, whether it’s a formal technique, a more instinctive one, or a mix of both.
My process begins with analysis and study—table work. But the location, the weather, the people—everything influences the creative process. The director also plays a key role, and each one brings something unique to the table.
What differences do you see in acting for film, television, and digital platforms? And
what kinds of roles are you drawn to moving forward?
Each medium targets a different audience. An auteur film will never be the same as a series or commercial movie. That’s where a major distinction lies. Distribution also differs between projects.
As actors, all of them require precise and sensitive work from us. Right now, I’m increasingly interested in playing women who face difficult, unfavorable realities—whether it’s a housewife, a sex worker, a domestic worker, a journalist, or a fruit vendor. There are many injustices in the world and many sublime moments that can be portrayed through these characters.
So many real women in our society have no voice—and they deserve everything. I want to give life to those stories and hope that more productions give us the chance to break stereotypes.
Mexican women, especially brown-skinned women like myself, can and should be protagonists too.
Muse: @normapablo_actriz
Photography: @diegofierce
Makeup: @manuelzzmua
Hair: @hairbyserch
Stylist: @manueldelgado.moda
Location: @drtcontentstudio
Production: @josevielman
Film: @sergiovalnez
Clothing: @okoxal @navarroofficial @nena.cavalieri @queshebley @juanworleymx @eduardoblassmexico
Pr: @toomuchpr