Horiwood's Blog

The actress known as Q’orianker Kilcher may have narrowly missed out on playing Leah Clearwater in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga: Eclipse film for Summit Entertainment, but she is the Princess of Humanitarian causes and the Queen of globally conscious young hearts, all around the world.

She’s more than an actress, she’s a global movement of smart change at the eclipse of twilight’s dawning of a new world for young people who are thinking of future generations.

This young lady is in one word, stunning!

Sam Cruickshank’s interview with actress Q’orianker Kilcher for Horiwood.Com and Tu Mai Magazine, follows.

iQ +  eQ: Actress Q’orianker Kilcher and her Clearwater Conscience of Global Change is Inspiring

 

Ko wai koe? [Who are you?] What does your name mean?

I am descendant from the Huachipaeri and Quechua people of Peru.  My name means Golden Eagle in the quechua language …  -Qoria =Golden and Anka=Eagle

I’m just a girl who tries to do her part to contribute to a global warming of hearts and cause climate change and shift in human consciousness;)

 No hea koe? [Where are your people descended from, and where do you physically live now?]

I am half Quechua Huachipaeri from the Peruvian Amazon and Swiss French and Alaskan…. And yes now I live in LA…ah!!!

I was born in Germany; Lived in Peru as a baby and then moved to Hawaii when I was two. My mom also traveled a lot with me… Egypt, England, Germany, Japan Mexico Guatemala, Switzerland etc… I am currently staying in Los Angeles due to work … but I refuse to unpack all my boxes!

 How did you get into acting?

When I was about five or six my mom took me to a Rolling Stones concert and I looked at this stadium of people and saw the power you could have as an artist. It was amazing the influence that an artist can have on people. The power to be able to speak out for justice…. Fame seemed like a wonderful tool to do so much good in the world… and that fascinated me… and I looked at my mom and told her one day I want to be here with a stadium of people; I wanted to one day be able to give voice to the voiceless.

 So my mom made me a deal to support me, if I in return would ALWAYS remember why I started a showbiz career…. And I always have.

I started going to acting classes, voice lessons, and any other class I could find… such as kung fu, Capoaira, diving, sailing, stunt class, acrobatics, all kinds of dance classes etc… so I could have a good resume….

I owe all my success to my family…the unending support of my whole family and a special shout out for my little brother Kainoa… who always saved all his money to help me pay for voice lessons and acting classes.

So In December of 1998 my whole family relocated for me to Los Angeles… We lived in our RV… I started showcasing my singing on the streets in Santa Monica…. And writing songs for my first imaginary CD!

I was sent for my first audition for the Grinch That Stole Christmas and booked a principal part, which was cut out of the final version. Then it went back to endless auditioning, without ever booking anything. One has to be patient in Hollywood.

It’s not easy being a hard to place ethnic talent. I was never White enough, Latino enough, Black enough, Asian enough…. Just not enough… I don’t know what….But I think I was persistent enough.

I just had turned 14 when I finally was indigenous enough to play Pocahontas!!! It was a lucky break and luckily, I was cast to star along side amazing actors such as Colin Farrell Christian Bale, Christopher Plummer just to name a few great actors and work with the amazing Terrance Malick, as director .who was one of the most sweetest people I have had the chance to meet.

 Last year in 2008 I was also lucky enough to be given another opportunity to portray yet another historic and amazing indigenous woman…. Princess Kaiulani.

I felt very honored to be cast to play Kaiulani… and I hope that I did her spirit justice. It was a tall order… She was such a strong and courageous young girl who stood up and spoke out for her people. Her life is a strong inspiration to my own…

And I am sure that her story will inspire many young indigenous and non-indigenous women around the world.

 I have been trying to selective about the films I’m getting involved with because I feel that in this time and age of Film and technology, there is an amazing power to film.

I think that we as young Artists have a great opportunity and responsibility to be media warriors for the positive.

 Through our work and the power of Film we can help give voice to the voiceless and shed light on many of the relevant issues facing our world. The real things, where the world needs attention, beyond just the borders of a Hollywood red carpet.

I believe that it is up to this young generation to keep the commitment towards positive change alive and ignite it in those who have lost it. Film is an amazing tool to do just that….because seeing is believing. 

 Images can touch all of us in a deep way. This is what originally inspired me to be an actress and Artist and I hope that I can continue doing what I love.

 

You were cast in the New World, how did that come about?

Ah! Well I had just turned fourteen and my agent had submitted me for the TV show Into The West and the same casting agency that was casting for that was also casting The New World.

Well I owe everything to an assistant they had there. Her name was Joanna Brooks and she saw my picture on one pile and thought I looked like an Indian Julia Roberts and moved my photo to the other pile.

She then asked if they brought me in and they said that I was too young because they were looking for someone 18 or older to play down.

I had just turned fourteen so she Joanna persisted on them for about three or four days risking her job because she was kind of getting on their nerves and finally they decided to bring me in for a read.

So at 14, I went in did the audition and it went really well. Like all things in Hollywood, there is a process to observer. They said they were very happy to know about me but I was just really too young and that would be as far as I would go.

So I was super bummed but it was what it was.

About two weeks later I got a call from the agent that they wanted to see me again but they never ceased to stress that I was really too young for the role but I got another chance to read for Pocahontas.

Again they thanked me but stressed again that I was too young. Another few days went by (a time lapse like an eternity for a 14 year old) and they had given the casting tape to Sarah Green the producer. 

She said nope I don’t even want to look at it she is too young. Well, they left it on her desk anyway, and curiosity eventually killed the cat.

Sarah Green watched it and said oh no! Now I have to show her to Terry (the film’s director).

So this casting process continued for about a month of auditions; always calling me back but always saying I’m too young for the role but they just want to see me again.

They asked if I had an older sister and they would throw all kinds of hurdles in the way to see if I was able to withstand the pressures it would take to be on a big film set.

Some times I would come in and they would have a scene for me to do right then and there or they would have me sing or play the native American flute or dance, to test out my young Pocahontas-ness, but they weren’t sure if I could pull off the maturity of the older Pocahontas.

It wasn’t until my very last audition where I sang a Blues song that they were sure I could pull it off. So yeah, basically all the odds were not in my favor but some how it happened.

I am for ever thankful to my mom for helping me and to Sarah Green for even auditioning me and to Terrance Malick for his vision and guidance, and all the wonderful cast that I would have not been half as good as Pocahontas at all in the movie if not for them. From the extras to the core warriors to the costume, hair, makeup, set directors, camera and lighting people under Terry’s direction (and my brilliant leading men;), who gave me a great opportunity to be scene as a young actress as the legendary Native American princess, the courageous, Pocahontas.

 I also got to meet another really special person. Her name is Nive. It was between me and her to play the role of Pocahontas and Terrance liked her so much that he gave her a smaller role in the movie. Nive is one of the kindest people I know.

 What impacts on you did, the New World have on your life?

Working on the New World… was a gift and a blessing, not only for me as an actor but also for me as an environmental and indigenous rights activist.

And the films publicity gave me the platform and voice to allow me to redirect the media attention towards some of the pressing issues facing indigenous peoples and that our mother earth is facing.

Many people believe that The New World was a love story… but more importantly it was the story of the early colonizations of the Americas. Sadly we have not learned from the past as much as we should have perhaps.

The colonization of the Americas continues today, only now it is called globalization. We cannot turn back time or our own actions of the past, but to me there is a clear connection between globalization and pressing environmental issues.

The issues facing our world today are directly connected to our disconnectedness to nature itself. We have come to see our relationship with nature as a necessity rather than an obstacle.

What happens thousands of miles away, while we comfortably indulge in a consumer attitude of cheap, disposable products, made by somebody else’s cheap labor, may ultimately be affecting all of us in some way, regardless where we live.

And there is no mad diet pill we can swallow and turn the destruction of our planet around, we have to change how we think. It starts inside us all.

 All around the world traditional sustainable ways of developing natural resources are dismissed and replaced by projects that exploit our resources in the name of greed and development.

In the name of development, we have quickly become the leaders of environmental destruction. Often without assuming any social or environmental responsibility, and with devastating consequences to the environment, local communities and entire eco systems.

I think it is important to realize that in the context of global warming and climate change, Indigenous peoples around the world hold the key to live in harmony with mother earth since their lifestyles are based on environmentally sustainable principles and practices.

Indigenous peoples’ philosophy has done this for centuries, without exploiting and destroying their children’s future.

Therefore, Indigenous peoples wisdom, knowledge and way of life has absolutely has contemporary relevance to modern society.

Indigenous peoples all around the world sit on the “frontlines” of globalization’s expansion and are the gate keepers to the last pristine places on earth, where resources like forests, minerals, water, and genetic diversity are still abundant.

Indigenous People have traditional land claims for 18-24 percent of the earth’s land surface.

Indigenous territories overlap remaining biodiversity hotspots.

Indigenous People inhabit over 85 percent of all protected areas.

For me, as a young indigenous artist I feel a great responsibility to use my public voice and the privilege of a small measure of Celebrity as a tool and great chance to speak out not only for environmental justice and corporate accountability and human rights… but also very specifically about Indigenous peoples rights to bring indigenous peoples struggles for cultural survival, self determination and sustainable development to the attention of the international community.

If I serve people, than I am mindful of the gift off celebrity through my life as a performer and artist and I am talking on a global level, because some people seem to be oblivious to the fact that environmental issues are not confined within borders. Performance is my tool to speak on these issues. Like any indigenous person, it beats strongly in my soul, to do this for generations (audiences) of people who will benefit from serving such awareness into the world.

This is one planet. We are connected by oceans, air and foreign trade. There is an absolute interdependence and connection between the oceans the earth; the air the plants; animals, forests and all living things, including us as people.

We cannot eat drink or breath money or profit alone without considering our effects on the environment. The earth is our mother and some things don’t have a price, they have value to all life.

In 2006 when The New World was premiering in Peru, I didn’t want to talk for the tenth thousand time what it was like kissing Colin Farrell (which I know how to say in every language now. he he!)

But I wanted to highlight the over thirty five year long struggle the Achuar communities were facing against a Los Angeles based company occidental petroleum that had been drilling for oil in Peru for 35 years, dumping an average of 8 hundred and fifty barrels of toxic waist, containing lead, cadmium and other heavy metals, into the local river without any regard for the people or animals it was poisoning. As an Angelino, I had to say something.

I am sincerely grateful for having been given the privilege of celebrity; just enough to make a difference and having been able to use my film publicity by playing a role like Pocahontas (with an indigenous mindset and soul too) to highlight my Peruvian brothers and sisters struggle for justice.

Thanks to the entertainment media it was the first time in Peru that many people were even made aware of this issue and that the popular media named the companies by name and denounced them.

8 months later occidental petroleum announced that they were pulling out of the Peruvian Amazon… and that’s good… but they are not yet entirely off the hook… they still need to clean up their mess!

The struggle of course continues, as 75 % of the Peruvian Amazon is concessioned out for oil development…. Endangering not only the lives of the local people, but also the survival of all of us…. and all unborn generations to come.

Taking care and respecting our Earth, our oceans and the air we breathe is of global importance to all of us as humanity.

We have all one common need … a clean healthy environment. It unites us all, regardless of race, color, nationhood or creed.

 

You are an award-winning actress, what awards have you won?

I was blessed to be awarded the National Board of Review, Best Breakthrough Performance and the Alma Award for best Latin American actress, an award that Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez have both won in years past.

I also was awarded the Brower Youth Award, North Americas most prestigious environmental award and just recently the Young Hollywood Awards “Green Award”.

You have a cult following of fans worldwide who wanted to see you land the role of Leah Clearwater in Twilight’s Eclipse film… talk about this experience a little.

 Ha haha! I felt honored to even be considered for the role of Stephenie Meyer’s Leah Clearwater. What a woman! Both Stephenie and the Leah character she envisaged and created. You know I read the books and I fell in love with the character and her pain and her vulnerability. That role went to Julia Jones and I wish her all the best in playing her vulnerability with great strength of spirit. That’s the essence of who Leah Clearwater is.

 You are an ambassador for a lot of causes, what are they are?

I just really follow my heart and believe in collaboration so I work with many organizations such as: Amazon Watch – Global Youth Ambassador, Amnesty International (Global Youth Ambassador for Women’s Rights); AIDESEP(official “Voice” of IDESEP – The Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest Federations); The Community School for the Arts foundation; Thursdays Child (youth counselor); Turning The Tides; and FOADAC.

 Oh, I am also the founder of  “on-Q initiative!”

 I also travel to speak at youth events, colleges and Universities and was invited as a featured keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at many international conferences and events for organizations such, the IFG (International Forum on Globalization); IFIP (International Funders for Indigenous Peoples) and The United Nations panel discussions for Indigenous Peoples: Human Rights, Dignity and Development with Identity, in collaboration with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

What do you know of Maori people and New Zealand?

Not enough! I always wanted to go to NZ and visit, having lived in Hawaii. I did have some Maori friends at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii and they were students studying there and performing some of their traditional dances and crafts at the center in exchange for their college tuition.

I used to do the Maori poi ball dance when I was 5 and I really love it, still. It’s great for a child’s reflexology developmental growth.

To young Maori kids with moemoea (dreams) what advice would you give them and indigenous young people of the South Pacific?

Never be afraid to dream too big because gravity will take care of the rest! ;)

There are forces in this world which want us to fail, give up hope and live in resignation or disappear altogether.

We have to defy these negative forces by standing strong, sober, educated, hope-filled and successful.

We need to be rebellious against failure! We must use the gift of ‘youth rebellion’ in a positive way. It is up to us to step up to the challenges and own responsibility for what is happening now, because soon it is our future that is quickly our today as young people.

Every one matters, every moment matters. Every decision we make matters. We have to take initiative from that deep place inside ourselves for our community and also ourselves globally.

We have to be the  keepers of the dream for Universal dignity, compassion and Human Rights. It is up to all of us to keep the passion alive and ignite it in those who have lost it temporarily.

I think its important to think about HOW DO I HAVE TO BE; IN ORDER TO SEE THE WORLD I WANT TO SEE.

 Beauty tips, please share?

A bar of soap? Ha ha! Coconut Oil is great for the skin. I don’t really have a mirror of creams or anything and I wash my face with soap. My mom always says to me “smile it enhances your looks” J but one beauty tip I have is that, Beauty comes from within.

You can put gallons of make up on but if you are not a kind good person it does not matter how beautifully you are on the outside, people will know. Beauty must come from within. True beauty of spirit has its own glow.

Some of the most beautiful people I know might not be the most beautiful on the outside but when you see them smile and how kind they are I fall in love.J

Also physical beauty can be taken away from you in an instant. You could get in a car crash or some other accident then you will have to focus on inner beauty. Beauty of soul and one’s character should always be the focus. This is usually enhanced by getting over you and serving the wider interests of others.

 Success to you means what?

…. No matter how successful we are in life we are never self-sufficient. We always need each other and “successful people” sometimes forget that too in their humanness. So I think the most important thing is that we are successful human beings when we are being compassionate and caring. A good-hearted person is far more important than a person just having a successful career.

It’s all about sticking together and helping each other and if you are in a position to mentor someone you should pass along your good fortune and knowledge. One hand of humanity washes the other.  

Success is all about having many people around you who love you and care about you and giving them more in return back if you can. Love is success. Sharing it, is sharing success. It’s that simple.

ENDS.