The actress who puts Woody Allen on the ropes: "It was very difficult for me to work with him"

Spanish actress Elena Anaya, known for her outstanding film career and four Goya nominations, is in the spotlight after sharing her experience working with the renowned filmmaker Woody Allen on the film Rifkin’s Festival. Despite her success, which includes a Goya for her role in Pedro Almodóvar’s La piel que habito in 2011, Anaya has revealed that the collaboration with Allen was complicated and left her with a bitter taste.

She felt alienated

In a recent interview, Anaya confessed that she did not enjoy the filming experience and mentioned the tensions that arose due to differences in their working methods. “I found it very difficult to work with Woody Allen”, she explained, noting that her preference for meticulous preparation of her projects did not align with the director’s fast-paced shooting style. “I am an actress who likes to prepare projects very well; I did not feel comfortable with the shooting”, she added.

Rifkin’s Festival is set against the backdrop of the prestigious San Sebastián Film Festival and explores the complexities of marital relationships. The plot follows Mort and Sue, whose tensions rise when Mort becomes concerned about his wife’s fascination with a film director, while he finds solace in Dr. Jo Rojas, played by Anaya, who is also facing issues in her own marriage. This connection between Mort and Jo adds a layer of intensity to the narrative.

Despite the difficulties, Anaya acknowledges Allen’s talent and his status in the film industry, stating that he still considers it an invaluable experience to have worked with him. His sincerity about this challenge reveals an uncommon facet in the world of cinema, where collaborations are often idealized.