AD: But do you think that would change, let’s say, when she’s 18 years old? Would you return to such roles or would you just generally like to eliminate such roles from your life?
MK: Yeah, I’d like to eliminate them. Or maybe that will change because I’d feel that I need to face this quality again – meet my aggressive elements and work with these aggressive elements through a character.
AD: What’s your approach to motherhood? Do you have one?
MK: I don’t have anything set, like these are the rules I want to follow. I want to observe my daughter. I want to be inspired by her. I want to give her space to be a leader. I observe her and try to follow her instead of leading her. I try to see the world through her eyes – as much as that’s possible because I’m not her. Regulation is the really important thing. So I want to regulate myself so that I can regulate her. She’s at the age at which it’s important for me to be balanced. I want to give her a solid ground for exploration and for her to feel comfortable to continue exploring even if she’s uncertain. I want to provide her with a foundation that feels safe.
AD: It sounds to me like this entire experience can actually (and it probably has and will) deepen your understanding of acting and your ability to act. I mean, you now have a whole new dimension of understanding existence through having a child. I think it could only enrich your work.
MK: It works that way with my approach, too. I’m looking forward to applying all those things when I return to acting. I really want to emphasise such things as total vulnerability or being humble and modest. Because motherhood for me is about courage, about being humble and modest. For example, giving birth for me was about courage – to face this pain, this impossibly hard situation. But it was also about surrender and again humility – in the face of something so much bigger than me.
AD: In this moment, I can really understand the meaning of being humbled by the greatness of a situation that’s much bigger than you. Are you able to tell me more about the new project you’ll be working on?
MK: It’s a series for a platform, but they have regulations in place, and I can’t discuss it in advance. What I can say is that it’s a comedy. The thing I like the most about this project is its humour. It’s sharp but not offensive.
AD: So, for example, with all the challenges you have now, all the adjustments, what are your greatest resources for dealing with these changes and challenges?
MK: I’m thinking about neuroplasticity. That the brain is really something you can transform. If I’m aware, then I’m sort of a conductor of my thoughts. At least at some level, not completely. I try to have a positive approach. It might sound trivial, but I’m fascinated by the idea of working with my thoughts. I can find a lot of creativity in that work. It gives me strength to face difficult situations or changes. It’s the same with acting – working with my thoughts.
AD: But how do you work with your thoughts? What do you mean?
MK: There are situations in life in which you have a choice. You decide whether you feel satisfied or frustrated. It’s simple and trivial, but in many situations you simply have a choice.