Past to Future Tales in Film with Spain’s Pablo Olewski
Treading the line between international productions is something that actor Pablo Olewski does exceedingly well. From the acclaimed Spanish television series La Catedral del Mar (Cathedral of the Sea) to feature films like The Rise and Fall of a White Collar Hooligan 2 and advertising campaigns for corporate giants like Sony, Olewski’s charisma on camera transcends any specific cultural attraction. Like Javier Bardem and Antonio Banderas before him, there’s a quality that says “movie star” in Pablo’s very presence. While many of his roles are rooted in characters of Spain, his role in the upcoming Sci-Fi film The Mirror testifies to his versatility and ability to be recognized for much more than this background. The attention surrounding Pablo Olewski is an indicator that Hollywood is discovering what so much of the rest of the world knows already; he is that rare combination of transfixing actor and mesmerizing presence on camera.
Winner of Best Production and recipient of multiple nominations at the Atv Awards (Spain), La Catedral del Mar is set in XIV century Spain where Barcelona extends to the Ribera. While the city itself experiences great prosperity, the lives of most people are set in constant toil. The story centers on Arnau, a man who ascended from meager beginnings to become a successful money changer. Ramiro Bastaix (Olewski) is one of Arnau’s closest friends in his early years. Ramiro teaches Arnau the tricks of the trade during their youth as stone workers at the cathedral and is always there to support him when he falls flat on his face. Ramiro is full of zeal for life and often is motivated by his baser impulses, but not without the foresight which tell of their repercussions. It is Pablo’s presentation of Ramiro which sets a number of precedents for Arnau’s actions throughout the show; as such, the performance resonates throughout the entire series. The popularity of the show resulted in its inclusion on Netflix Spain and Netflix worldwide.
In director Paul Tanter’s The Rise and Fall of a White Collar Hooligan 2, Mike Jacobs (Nick Nevern) finds himself under witness protection in Spain and befriended by Pablo (appropriately named for Pablo Olewski). Producer Lyndon Baldock from Templeheart Films offered Olewski the role based on his performance in Neil Jones’ Deranged starring Victoria Broom. Pablo proves a loyal friend to the point of his own demise in this film which has amassed a loyal following. Most importantly, it gave tremendous exposure to Olewski on an international front. Not since his appearances in the Sony Ps Vita “The World is in Play” campaign had Olewski been asked to so prominently wear a Spanish accent on his sleeve. This is unquestionably a benevolent value to an accomplished actor like Pablo who can vacillate between English and Spanish with varying degrees. This international appeal has proven attractive for feature films, television, and commercials.
Olewski is set to appear in the 2020 Sci-Fi drama The Mirror as Dr. Raz Likowski. The film discusses psychic connections with Likowski as the knowledgeable expert who is torn between what is the more positive outcome for the main characters. From period piece to future depictions of the human mind’s capabilities, Pablo Olewski possesses the ability to always appear appropriate for the story he is a part of. Describing his process, the actor relates, “You have to relax, take a deep breath, and avoid outside frustrations that want to get the best of you. That’s the most challenging part, staying relaxed, both during the performance and as a professional on set, in the most uncomfortable, unnatural, and stressful situations.”
