Julia Varvara

Photographed by Erica Bergsmeds

Julia Varvara, actress, director and photographer, is giving us legs for days and a heap of energy. Her big, fun, cheeky personality is contagious and makes us want to know more about her and how she juggles so many hats.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you are you up to right now.

Well, where do I begin… two years ago I would have said that I am an actress, film director and producer but now I am a stylist and photographer as well!

Tell us why and how you decided to get in to the film industry

I always loved to perform and entertain people around me. When I was 8 years old I would collect all the local kids (some of them were twice my age) and I’d put together a concert. I would see who had which talents and according to that give people different roles in a multi-sectioned performance such as a fashion show, singing concert or a comedy performance. We would hand paint massive posters and spread them in the area to advertise our yard event! Even then I was juggling many jobs , I was a dancer, presenter, choreographer, producer, fashion stylist (all fashion pieces came from mine and my mom's wardrobe!). Working with people was always so much fun and entertaining others gave me so much joy.

What is the one item you can’t live without?

I guess "can't" is not the right word. I totally can and once upon a time I did, but in this day and age, I do need my phone to stay connected to the world and the people I love.

What has kept you sane during these strange times?

Working from home. I actually wrote my first feature screen play during lock down and I’m planing to film it very soon. Also watching movies everyday and laughing!

Most interesting thing you have read or seen lately?

Ohh that’s a tough one as I watch a lot! I read a book Dark Matter by Blake Crouch recently, it's about alternative realities, I love sci-fi!

What is your favourite memory and why?

Being with my family as a child on New Years eve putting on a talent show.

What is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for?

Can I have two?
Caring and funny.

Who is your inspiration?

Adam Morse and Stephen Hawking. I love people who are fighters and no matter what obstacles nature gives them, they still do what they love.

What’s your most annoying habit?

I am last minute Charlie

What is it about the way you do what you do that you think separates you from others?

I can't say as I can only speak for myself from my perspective. I know it's been a long hard journey for me to get where I am and to be able to do what I Love professionally. I never follow the rules I CREATE MY OWN

How do you positively contribute to our environment and “helping the planet”?

I definitely can do more! At the moment I am buying chocolate from the company that plants a tree every time they sell a chocolate bar! hahaha

What’s the most fun project you have done and why?

No matter what I do I have to have laughter! I guess if I can call my education in drama school a project, that was it! I had the best time of my life! We would have these student and head teachers meeting every Wednesday and I would always make everyone laugh! I was very cheeky and always did what I wanted so rules don't apply with Varvara.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Watching 3 movies in a row, dancing and having fun with my friends. Oh and playing poker!

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while working on a project?

Filming an entire feature film in two days!

Whats the funniest story you have from your life?

It's so wrong that it’s funny! I feel like I need to perform this in front of you for you to fully emerge yourself into the experience I had. There was this film networking event, it was a few years ago, and one of the actors comes to me and says: "let's go I'll introduce you to this huge casting director". I was like: " Sure lets do it!" It was very busy there, people were literally squeezed like sardines in a can. So we walk to this guy let's call him George for anonymity sake and I'm like loud and confident : "Julia Varvara, actress /producer/director, nice to meet you" and I'm stretching my arm out to give him a firm hand shake. He gives me his hand and while shaking it I realise that it's not a real hand and it's a prosthetic. Then I'm doing this weird happy face and saying to George: " Oh not this one! Another one!" and I am starting to shake the other hand and I am realising that it's... ANOTHER PROSTHETIC! I was so embarrassed, so I said: "well, I'll see you in a bit". And he was like: "sure, see you". An hour and half later I can see that he's about to leave the event so I come to him to take his details and you're not going to believe it, you know when people are trying to dictate you their phone and email and you usually just give your phone to them to put it in themselves? Well, I'm doing it again! I am like: "why don't you put it in yourself?" and then I am remembering the situation and I am saying "I better do it myself". I don't drink so I don't know what my excuse was! Guess I was just very hyper and excited that day!

Whats your favourite “life Quote”

"Name the ship how you want it to sale". Words have power.

Where are you in 10 years?

Successful actress and director and I am the face of Dior.

I have a charity organisation that helps children and elderly from less privileged countries to survive.

What’s next for you?

My directorial debut has just been given official selection for the 23rd annual Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival and is nominated for “Best Narrative Short“. It’s a really great festival that is in partnership with UN WOMEN. Looking forward to screening at more festivals this year and excited to shoot this horror movie with Adam Morse. It’s a sexy story about the mental dangers of social media and we’re shooting it this summer.

Follow Julia on Instagram : @julia_varvara

Photographed by Erica Bergsmeds

Hair and Make up Ninni Mighty

Styling Julia Varvara

Words by Maila Reeves

Social media Noha Ismail