At six-years-old, filmmaker Diana Fabianova's grandmother died of womb cancer and through a series of unhappy coincidences, she thought it was her fault. When her period started she figured it was punishment for her crimes. In her fresh, funny documentary The Moon Inside You, she explores the "curse" that for many, is still a cultural taboo.
How do you describe your work? "It’s a creative process with constant learning about yourself and others. It puts you closer to people, because you see their vulnerability which is your own, their weak and strong sides.
And than there is the adventuress part - traveling to unknown countries, exploring new cultures, meeting super clever scientist, remarkable writers, powerful shamans. For me it's the most beautiful job I can imagine to do. Except to be an astronaut!"
What three adjectives best describe you? "Free. Active. Positive"
Cats, dogs, birds … describe your pets? "Since my childhood, I am collecting abandoned dogs from the street. I had very strong relationship especially with one of them. It was my friend and companion on my travels for 14 years. She died years ago, but I still think of her. Now I have another abandon dog, turtle, and some ants and Birds! Their morning singing is the best alarm clock ever."
Favorite season? "Indian summer"
Name a city you’d love to visit. Why? "There are too many places I would love to go, but the city I am always going back to with euphoria is Bratislava- the city I have my family, friends and past in. It's a little peaceful world, with special smell and light. It's home."
What’s the best thing about being single? "Learning to enjoy the solitude. To appreciate to be with yourself. When I am alone, especially when I am traveling, I am more attentive. I feel, see and even smell things more. I am more in present moment."
Describe your ideal “Girls’ Night Out.” "I have a special ritual with my six best girlfriends from the childhood. We meet in my place early evening, preparing food together. We make up all the atmosphere - candles, music, strawberries and chocolate. We eat, chat and laugh in the pyjamas till we fall asleep. Than we have a long breakfast in the sunshine on the balcony. These meetings are a super cure for every depression and broken heart. The atmosphere, the warmth of good friends, it‘s like a protective energizer."
What’s the nicest thing a friend (or friends) have done for you? "They are always there when I need them. They don't mind travelling through Europe by my side as moral support."
What do you do for “Diana time"? "I submerge to nature. The wilder the better. There is one special place in the very end of Europe, a little house in middle of lost valley, with birds, foxes and shining stars. No electricity, no coverage... It's the best place for inspiration and recharging the life-battery."
What’s the best advice you ever received? "If some man tells you, "I need you!" Run away!
What quality do you admire most in a man? "Tolerance. Compassion. Empathy."
What quality do you admire most in a woman? "The same."
Who are your real life heroes? "My mom, I learn from her that everything, truly everything is possible."
What is your guilty pleasure? "Chocolate!!!"
What is your biggest fear? "To be very ill, dependent on others, not able to live my life as I would like to."
If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be? "I would express my feelings without shame. To show the love I feel. Not to be afraid of rejection. It should be the simplest thing, but I am still learning to say I love you in loud voice."
Other than your own talents, what talent would you most like to have? "To be able to sing. I think that the singing, it’s a balsam for the soul. I would love to sing every day without people running out of my sight."
What is your motto? Or what words do you live by? "I wish to have a inner peace to accept things which I can not change, courage to change what I can change and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the another."
The Moon Inside You is screening at the 45th Chicago International Film Festival which runs until October 22.
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