We had the pleasure of interviewing Tristan Risk, talented artist, model, burlesque dancer and actress. In fact, in addition to acting, Risk also dabbles in circus performances, Burlesque and magnificent photo shoots. Tristan Risk talks about her performances but also about the roles she has played in several horror films including. American Mary, Ayla, Fetish Factory, Madre de Dios and Innsmouth, allowing a great love for the genre to shine through.
Link to original interview: Interview with model and actress Tristan Risk
L.S.: Hi Tristan. Thank you for your time. You are a talented performer, an actress, a fetish model, and you also do burlesque--tell us a little bit about your interesting performances and also tell us something about yourself.
T.R.: I have always jokingly said that I am married to the stage and that the screen is my lover instead... I love working in film but I admit that my first love is live performance. Whether it's an event or a burlesque dance or a small show, I love that overwhelming feeling that comes when the artistic creation is shared live with the audience.
L.S.: You are also an actress. How did you come to acting?
T.R.: I have been an actress from the time I was a dancer. I started in high school, then dropped out for a while. I started approaching theater just before I American Mary and then I cast myself as Beatress (one of the characters in the film). From then on, I was assigned different roles, so I decided to throw myself headlong into the experience and enjoy the adventures that that path is able to offer me.
L.S.: You starred in American Mary (2012), the Canadian horror film directed by the Soska sisters in which you play the character Beatress Johnson. The focal point of the film is body modification. What are your thoughts on body art?
T.R.: I like that. Working as an actress leads me to be very chameleon-like; I myself can't get all the retouching I'd like to have done. I really appreciate body art on other people, and it's the same reason, more or less, why you go to an art gallery to visually enjoy the works on display. I also notice a lot of discrimination against those who have body modifications, so I have a lot of respect for those who are true to the artistic visions they have of themselves.
L.S.: The first feature film you starred in was "American Mary." Tell us a little bit about your acting career, which, as you can see, is visibly growing. How has your life changed?
T.R.: I think the one thing that has changed in my life is being able to work with more and more people from the film world. I am very fortunate in dealing with incredible people and engaging in work that I think is highly valuable and that I will always be proud of in the future. I am happy to be an actress working in this industry, and I am also proud to be able to do, in addition to acting, live performances as a burlesque dancer. I realize that it is not so easy to do both.
L.S.: What can you tell us about the recent roles you have played? Can you give us some information about who you play in Ayla, Fetish Factory and Madre de Dios? What do you think about these films?
T.R.: I am so excited because, after a successful crowdfunding campaign (thank you to everyone who contributed!), to Ayla filming will begin in early 2016. I am really excited to work in this film, with director Elias and his crew. That of Ayla is a story that has haunted me ever since I read the script, and I am looking forward to playing the character assigned to me.
Fetish Factory, directed by Staci Layne Wilson, is a throwback to old glories of the past and combines two elements I love: pin-ups and zombies! The film was shot in Los Angeles and I had the pleasure of working with fetish icon Richard Cardinal, aka The Richard!
Madre de Dios is produced by Vancouver-based Luchagore Productions. My character will be dealing with two old warlocks. Everything is so casual and messy that I'm sure it will annoy quite a few people.
L.S.: You also star in Innsmouth, a short film by Izzy Lee. Tell us a little about your character.
T.R.: Readers of Lovecraft's literary works are surely familiar with the fictional town Innsmouth and its inhabitants. I play the town's matriarch, Alice Marsh, a woman who harbors a secret that a detective played by Diana Porter will try to investigate. I will lure the latter to the town and confront her with reality.
L.S.: What are your biggest influences as an actress? Who would you like to work with and what role would you like to play?
T.R.: I have tons of influences scattered all over the world-Grace Jones, Alice Cooper, Mae West, Geena Davis-the list could go on. I hope to play some role in fantasy movies, like Labyrinth for example. I would also like to do a cyberpunk movie before the end of my days.
L.S.: Are you more interested in acting, photo shoots or live performance?
T.R.: I like to do all three, I don't have a preference. Switching from one expressive medium to another makes me feel alive, and being able to do it all is a challenge for me.
L.S.: Have you always been a fan of the horror genre? What are your top 5 favorite movies of all time?
T.R.: Since Always. It all started with Thriller by Michael Jackson and I haven't stopped since then. My favorite movies are: The kiss of the panther (1982) - Every time I listen to the David Bowie song featured in the film with Natasha Kinski I think how damn fierce it is. This film contributed to the awakening of my sexuality; The shark - This film, almost 50 years later, still has the power to instill in people the fear of water. It is a film that, unlike so many others, has stood the test of time and kept its effectiveness intact, still managing to shock viewers today. It is extraordinary how much a film can influence its audience; Return Of The Living Dead - Because punk rock and zombies go so well together. It is a film in which there is no shortage of fun and also a lot of irony. And who doesn't like to blast that great soundtrack on a Friday night? White Zombie - An almost silent film starring Bela Lugosi, in which you can see why he is, without a shadow of a doubt, the Master. Disturbing and ethereal, this 1920s film will make your toes curl; An American werewolf in London - Why: Werewolves. And the practical effects. And more werewolves.
L.S.: Any other new films or projects you are involved in that are upcoming? What are your plans for the future?
T.R.: In June, filming was completed in Atlanta for Frankenstein Created Bikers by James Bickhert, where I played the badass Val. I was also in Boston for Innsmouth by Izzy Lee, a short film about to be screened at festivals. As well as the filming of Madre de Dios by Luchagore, a film that will be shown on CryptTV. In October I will be on the road with my collective circus "The Caravan Of Creeps" for Horror-Rama in Toronto!
L.S.: Would you like to leave a message?
T.R.: Much love to all of you, lovers and sinners. Keep on being weird and wonderful! XO
L.S.: Thank you again for your time, Tristan!
