Interview with Mia Kirshner
AE: Well, your book came out and now you're really concentrating on the I Live Here project.
MK: After I came back from Malawi, my writing partner, James MacKinnon, and I decided that we wanted to start a program in the juvenile prison there. So we spent a couple of years doing research and that's really what my spare time is devoted to.
If you think of the book as the right hand — the education part of it — then the project is the left hand. You see what some problems are around the world, and then you do things in a concrete way and you fix them.
AE: What crime could a young child commit that would send them to prison?
MK: I would say over half of them are there because of crimes related to poverty, such as stealing food. Many are being held without a proper trial, many of the kids are orphans. Their parents died from AIDS-related illnesses. They're locked in their cells, they're overcrowded. There's one bucket to use the bathroom.
I've been asked, "Why Malawi?" and my answer is, "Why not?" When you see human rights being violated, you have to say something and do something about it. Period.
I don't want to pretend to be an expert on the subject and have the ultimate answers, but there's an attitude that because they live in another country and we live here, they don't affect us. I think it's important to look at the world as a body. And if one part of the body is sick, and not treated, than disease will spread to the rest of the body. It's preventative. That's what I Live Here is trying to do, in its small, humble way.
AE: Your book, I Live Here, uses storytelling as a powerful tool to raise awareness.
MK: Yeah, it's their stories. That's the premise of the book: that stories can change the world. And you give people who often wouldn't be given a chance to speak for themselves, to write about their lives. So I think having people speak for themselves is very powerful.
AE: I read that your father was a displaced person.
MK: My dad was born in a refugee camp after World War II and went through a series of camps. My grandmother on my father's side lost her husband and her son. They were killed, I think. We don't know what happened to them. And that's why I think it's important to archive what happens to people who survive violence and trauma.
AE: Without a record or anyone bearing witness, crimes are lost to time.
MK: I think so. I also think, on a very personal level, if you're asked what or how you feel, and what you want, it makes you feel valued. And if you feel valued, it makes you stronger.
AE: Have you met anyone during the making of the book that really inspired you?
MK: The kids in the Malawi prison. Certainly, at first glance, these kids didn't seem to be hardened criminals. These kids wanted to write and draw. And what came out of their writing was their hope and their humility, and their lack of anger. Many others would be very anger at the fact that their parents had passed away, that they were extremely poor, and that they were in jail and hadn't been charged. It was an inspiring thing. So, I realize how f---ing lucky I was to have a job. I have nothing to complain about.
AE: Well, we're spoiled Americans.
MK: I'm Canadian!
AE: Oops, I forgot. Well, there's a certain cynicism when it comes to going out into the Third World and looking around. It even gets parodied.
MK: I think if you're trying to do a something, then that's a good, great start. It shouldn't be mocked. There's value in everything. It's better than doing nothing, I think. At the end of the day, before someone mocks anything, look at the work, get the facts before anyone forms a judgment.
AE: What's the next phase for I Live Here?
MK: Well, there's the fundraiser on August 22 in Santa Monica. I really really hope people come out for this one. Jennifer Beals, Laurel Holloman and Rose Rollins are all scheduled to be there with me.
AE: An L Word mini-reunion sounds like reason enough to me. Especially for a good cause.
MK: And we're going to debut a huge multi-media installation about the journey in making I Live Here. Then, I go to Malawi at the end of the month to set up the program. We're also doing something called the Ambassador Program, a student curriculum based on issues covered in the book.
AE: It's very ambitious, for a grassroots campaign.
MK: And people are responding. There's a woman named Debra Latourette who wrote to us and held her own backyard fundraiser. She raised over $1,000. How cool is that? Just a total stranger, doing that.
AE: Now I feel bad about asking you about those sex scenes and why Jenny is dead.
MK: And I don't want to seem like I was complaining. Who cares what I felt? I was a f---ing actor with a job.
AE: You don't sound like a complainer at all. But I get it. In Hollywood, it's safer to be nice to everyone.
MK: I'd rather tell the truth.
AE: I think it's OK if we raise awareness for good causes and care about what you ate for breakfast, because you're a celesbian.
MK: [laughs] I know. But at the end of the day, that's really what the bottom line is for me: the real world.
AE: So, what did you eat for breakfast?
MK: [laughs] You know what I'm saying.
You can purchase tickets to the August 22 event in Santa Monica, or make a donation to I Live Here. You can also buy her book at most bookstores, including Amazon.com and the Logo store. You can also follow Mia on Twitter at @MiaK_ILiveHere.
Mia played Jenny Schecter for six years, for our entertainment. We owe her one.
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Comments
A celesbian?
my definition of celesbian
Gotcha
Well
There's speculation that she's bisexual. She keeps to herself however, so no one really knows.
I've ALWAYS...
RE: Reality VS Fantasy
People hating her is no different from the masses who keep magazines like National Enquirer (a gossip magazine)in business. There are more uneducated, non-thinking people than people who think for themselves. There are people who believe anything that is in print. They don't question anything. Look at the media in general.
It is pretty scary! Gossip is so popular in the U.S. that it feeds the paparazzi, that's why you can't ever get rid of them.
Long Live Jenny
Mia Kirshner is still amazing. I think it'd be totally cool if her and Rose Rollins had a little internet show with their antics. But, Mia's book has definitely been on my to-read list and this is coming from a non-reader.
"And it's amazing
With the look in your eyes
Like you could save me
But you won't even try"
- Matt Nathanson
Mia Kirshner
If the actresses didn't like the way the series ended, then there shouldn't be a movie about TLW. Just saying.
Moving on, Mia Kirshner is absolutely amazing. She's beautiful, intelligent, & mysterious. (People should really learn to seperate the character an actor plays from the actual person.) I love "I Live Here" & wish that I could go to that fundraiser! I would support her in whatever she does.
inspiring
I've always admired her as an actor because she made Jenny real and I always understood Jenny even though I might not have agreed with her. Now I'm inspired by her humanity. What an astounding person.
"If a bullet should go through my head let that bullet go through every closet door.” -Harvey Milk
Impressive
Kirschner is definitely more than just an actress. But obviously, she's an amazing actress to put up with that crap and make it believable. It's really a shame Ilene wasted her talent.
Will definitely try to make it to SM on the 22nd. What a great cause.
Good to know
i love her...!
Miaaaa...... **oogles** ...haha. I'm gonna get a copy of that book. XD
"It's better the devil you know, than the angel you don't."
AHHH LOVE!
Shes just such a wonderful homosapien. god she is so awesome and beautifulll..:]
i think i would...
I would LOVE
I would LOVE to see a precule to the L word because honestly like the 6th season was too BLAH for me I mean great series at the start but I felt it did die alittle so thats why I was excited about a spin off "the farm"
And acually does anyone know where I could watch "the farm" online?
I live here
I can't find a site or anything for the whole 'I live here'. Would it be possible to get some links or something for people who are not from the U.S. and therefor can't go the 22nd?
It sounds like a good thing she's doing and I'd like to read a bit more about it.
http://www.i-live-here.com/
Here is the site:
http://www.i-live-here.com/
Besides the obvious
Not sure about anyone else....
agreed! reminded me of the
agreed! reminded me of the sweet, unjaded jenny of season one that i miss.
To every feminist action, there is an equal and opposite beauty reaction- Naomi Wolf
Great interview
I really enjoyed reading this, and I admire Mia even more now. She's a great example of how to not let your work/success go to your head. I also got the feeling she'd rather never discuss Jenny's death or sex scenes in the L word ever again! I loathed Jenny, like a lot, which I always attributed to Mia being such a good actress. And to Ilene Chaiken going off her rocker. But I never disliked Mia herself. Good luck to her, I'll be following her progress in Malawi.
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Callie: You don't even like sandwiches!
Arizona: But I like the girl who has the sandwiches.
wow.. she is mad at ilene
she is a very nice woman. I didn't realize HOW annoyed they all were by the ending (rose rollins interview on this just out also gave a hint).
Here's what I think: I guess Jenny is ICs alter ego, but Mia is far too intelligent and a far better actress than IC is as a writer - so that didn't work out after a while and IC got frustrated being exposed to her own lack of talent - because MK got more out of the character than IC put IN. so then IC threw more and more antics at Mia to play, which Mia somehow still managed to master - so at last Ilene got back at her and killed Jenny, which was unfair and uncalled for.
It's funny that the actors (especially Mia) didn't have a clue that Jenny dies while shooting the season. It seemed that way, too. That's a clever move, Ilene. I must admit. Clever, but a little mean.
@Interviewer: The question with the nude scenes was a little odd indeed. But hey, one can try. this is an entertainment site and entertainment is what Mia pays her rent with, as she clearly states. So why feel bad about asking things that people (lesbians :) ) want to know?
Wow...
I Concur
I agree.
"And it's amazing
With the look in your eyes
Like you could save me
But you won't even try"
- Matt Nathanson
You said it!
I think you hit the nail on the head there! Was anyone happy with the storyline of Jenny dying other than IC? From what i've heard the rest of the cast and the other writers weren't happy with it at all! I love that IC made herself out to be a martyr by in a sense killing herself through the character of Jenny and yet she wants an L Word Movie! I can't imagine anything L word related without having Mia involved, she was instrumental to the L Word's success! And yes I agree, there is clearly an underlying anger from Mia towards IC! I'm sure she feels betrayed by the reckless way in which IC decided to treat her character, especially considering Mia invested a lot of time and effort into making Jenny such a 3D character!
It's strange how Mia doesn't mention that she lived with Kate Moennig but says she lived with Leisha! I know this because when Leisha and Kate were on Queer Edge they said the living arrangements were a nightmare and implied that they were a nightmare owing to Mia!
Anyways, I LOVE Mia! I really hope she continues on acting (because she has in the past suggested that she might pursue writing instead) because she is an exceptional actress and a beautiful, sweet and intelligent one at that!
Jenny / IC - suicide?
I love that IC made herself out to be a martyr by in a sense killing herself through the character of Jenny and yet she wants an L Word Movie!
---
I've been thinking about that martyr/suicidal aspect. I don't know where I read this, but I remember that IC is supposed to be represented by the caracters of Jenny and Bette.
Since IC doesn't strike me as the morbid/suicidal type I think she has "switched" towards the end and chosen to let go of Jenny and be represented by Bette only - which would explain why Bette became a "better person" and refrained from cheating this time...
I don't know. Maybe I got lost here ;)
Cute and intelligent. I love
Good insight, but...
...this has to be the most times I've ever witnessed an interviewer backpedal/stumble during an interview. It is awkwardly painful to read. I suppose this goes to show that informed questions of substance will trump the superficial every last time.
Mia's right. The L Word was a long time ago; Integral, yes, but I'd like to think we've all moved on since then.
Girl-clad lion.
Love Mia Kirshner
And love Jenny, despite what they did and how they portrayed her in the 6th season. Mia is one of the few things I constantly liked about the L Word and one of the few things that may convince me to buy it and watch it again.
Mia Kirshner is a wonderful actress and person, and I think that it L Word was luck to have her and we are blessed to have seen her for so many years doing miracles to her character.
I Live Here is absolutely amazing. It's very inspiring, touching and melancholic. More than any other book I read, I Live Here puts your life in perspective. I wished I could be there for the fundraiser, but living in another country kind of nullifies that wish. But her project is truly inspiring, now I hope my life goes as planned and I can help in any way possible in the future.
I thank Mia for gracing our screen (well, my computer monitor) all these years
yay!
i love Mia my all time favorite movie of her is the crow
"Hands upon my back again.
Survival is my only friend.
Terrified of what may come.
Remember I will always love you,
Even as I claw your fucking throat away.
But it will end no other way"
Good hearing news from Mia !
Good hearing news from Mia !
Respect for her as an actress and the job she did as Jenny but total respect as the world citizen she is !
Thanks for the wonderful interview!
I always admired Mia's performance as Jenny Schecter even though I disliked Jenny herself. A lot. ;-)
So it's really great to read this interview and hear about her wonderful project. Gotta check out that book now!
Thank you.
Sweet.
Mia Kirsnher seems like such a down-to-earth, gentle, compassionate lady.
I like how she revealed that she was not happy with season 6. I believe none of the cast were.
And good for her for confronting that fan that told her to die. I always flinch and get pretty angry whenever i hear someone insult an actor just for playing a character said individual dislikes. Some people really need to learn the difference between fiction and reality.
"I ate the mythology and dreamt."
---Yusef Komunyakaa
personally i loved jenny. i
personally i loved jenny. i always wanted to hug her character and get her therapy and tell her it will be alright while running ino the sunset.
i adore/respect mia even more. nothing is sexier than a woman who is a talented actress and a fighter for human rights. the canadian thing only adds to my love!
To every feminist action, there is an equal and opposite beauty reaction- Naomi Wolf
Me too=]
I read the interview.
Mia had very candid and interesting thoughts on the show... I especially agree that the whole Sounder thing was worthless. So much of what was on the show was, which is disappointing because there were nuggets of great, compelling relationships -- which were mostly brushed aside for gimmicks in the end. I'd have been interested to hear what frustrated her most about the storytelling and writing (or lack thereof) and what she thought the strengths and highlights of the show were. But at this point, it doesn't really matter. The show is over and I think Illene sucks.
Her project sounds really interesting. I will be looking into that. Mia is absolutely nothing like Jenny, I think we all can agree. :)
Excellent, Dara!!
Mia's honest, no bullshit approach to her life is refreshing. Compassion runs deep within her. After meeting her on her book tour and listening to her speak so frankly about the atrocities she has witness on her journey, I have grown to admire her so much more.
So, Dara did you ever find out what Mia had for breakfast?! ;P
What a nice woman Mia is!
What a nice woman Mia is!
I like that she wasn't completely consumed with the L Word but doing her Writing Project as well alongside working on the show (..of which sounds very intriguing, and of which I will def check out at some point soon)!
Credit to Mia for putting in as much effort in to a role like Jenny Shecter as she did because, well, with the character being that frustrating to watch... I can only image the challenge of having to try and actually act her (..as Mia did so well).
Thanks for this interview, loved it! Jenny was my still my fav character, despite how 'wrong her actions' were at times and how emotionally unstable she was. Her character drew me in to the show right from the start, and was reason why I still carried on watching the rest of the L Word even when some of the storylines felt ridiculous and uninspiring. For Jenny's character to have such a hard ride through the show, it seems sad that after all her troubles she just died at the end!!
loved the interview mia
loved the interview mia seems very down to earth that makes a very nice change. cheers dara
yesterday is history,2mrw is a mystery,today is a gift that is y it's called the present
Awwww I TOTALLY love Mia!
incredibly gracious
ive always liked mia kirshner. great interview - even if she deferred from answering the juicy questions. mia presents herself as both incredibly intelligent and thoughtful, and was incredibly gracious and discreet in her criticisms of her character's storyline. i found it especially interesting that she emphasized that regardless of what she thought, she was just lucky to have a job. It's a little harsh, but she's absolutely right, and I'm glad she reminds us all to have a little perspective. i've always thought mia must have the patience of a saint of put up with IC's crap, and this interview just made me respect her even more. Looking forward to checking out I Live Here, as well as anything else Kirshner gets involved with - both onscreen and off - in the future.
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tunes, snark and such: http://rightmindleftcoast.wordpress.com
Luuuuuuuv Mia!
Wow, what an amazing actress and human being. She seems so centered. And I wish I could meet her at a gay bar. I *certainly* wouldn't tell her to die... On the contrary!
And Ilene destroyed not only the characters but the show itself. By the end, L Word sucked.. a lot. Too bad, at least it made "history" for the lesbian community.
I love Mia.
I love Mia. She was the only reason I held on to that show. And I loved Jenny, and will never understand why people hated her... or why people liked Shane.
But how could you forget she was Canadian? She has the hot accent.
lol
i liked shane and jennys characters just didnt think they should have hooked up it was like incest or something bleh!!
"Hands upon my back again.
Survival is my only friend.
Terrified of what may come.
Remember I will always love you,
Even as I claw your fucking throat away.
But it will end no other way"
you like our accents!?
you like our accents!? amazing... everyone else thinks we sound lame :)
To every feminist action, there is an equal and opposite beauty reaction- Naomi Wolf
i think its funny that now
<3 Mia
wow Mia seems so cool and
wow Mia seems so cool and collected lol I don't really like Jenny but Mia is totally awesome in my book =]
Don't argue with my superior wisdom, okay? -Dana Fairbanks <3
I luv Mia Kirshner! I
I luv Mia Kirshner!
I envy her heart so big and powerful if only we all had half the heart she has prehaps the world would be a better place.
-I speak in random thoughts
Mia Kirshner...
I've always been a fan of Mia Kirshner and her work both on and offscreen. I really enjoy that Mia is "outside of the mainstream" of what people think Hollywood and celebrities are. The majority of actors (as far as I am aware of) are in the business to make a living and work on their craft... if they can afford to do so they are more selective about their acting choices and they are not in the business for fame.
I appreciate people like Mia who are trying to accomplish something with their lives and bring awareness of situations (like the children in Malawi) to the forefront.
I especially enjoyed when Mia said " I think it's important to look at the world as a body. And if one part of the body is sick, and not treated, than disease will spread to the rest of the body. It's preventative." That is such a truthful statement.
Kudos to Mia for all the work she is doing and continues to do (both on and offscreen).
P.S. Glad to hear some of her views on The L Word as well.
♡OTALIA Forever!♡
"I have a simple philosophy. Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches." -Alice Roosevelt Longworth