Santiago (Chile) (AFP) - Chilean actress Mariana Di Girolamo was born in democracy, but in "Caballo Salvaje Nueve", released this Thursday in her country, she plays a leftist student who meets two CIA agents weeks before the coup against the socialist Salvador Allende in 1973.

First modification: 06/11/2026 - 17:04

Shot in Chile, the latest film by British director Martin McDonagh shows the trip to Rapa Nui of these agents, played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell.

There, the lives of the protagonists, conspirators against the Allende government with dark pasts, intersect with that of Mónica, the left-wing idealist played by Di Girolamo, 36 years old.

After its world premiere in Venice, the film received excellent reviews, and specialized magazines such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter placed the performer among the possible Oscar nominees for best supporting actress.

Di Girolamo is one of the few Chileans in this Hollywood production about a dark period in her country.

But "I don't feel it as a responsibility, but rather I feel honored to be able to tell this story from my Chilean background," she told AFP in Santiago on Thursday.

Granddaughter of the artist Claudio Di Girolamo and Carmen Quesney, a defender of human rights during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990), the actress grew up in a family marked by that period.

"I cannot tell this story from my experience because I was born in '90, the first year of democracy. I am the daughter of, I am the granddaughter of, and I am Chilean. And there are still mothers looking for their children and September 11, 1973 is an important date," she added.

For her, the film "has opened conversations" about the time: "Many people (...) have been interested in it and want to find out more: to know what happened to the CIA, not only in the Chilean dictatorship, but also in Latin American dictatorships. Perhaps a parallel can even be made with today."

A "jump to the big leagues"

Di Girolamo has a consolidated career in series and films, but he had never participated in a project of this magnitude.

After finishing her audition by video call from Santiago, she received confirmation that she had been chosen and celebrated, with her husband and her dog, the beginning of a path "of much learning, joy and challenge."

"I never thought that this step to the big leagues, I don't know if it's called Hollywood, was going to be with something so special, playing a Chilean in such a particular time and context, with Martin McDonagh and John Malkovich, in Rapa Nui."

His biggest challenge was the language. "It's one thing to socialize in English, it's another thing entirely to find a truth, give substance to a character and want to live up to these legends," he said about his first filming in that language.

Malkovich, who won the Volpi Cup for best actor in Venice for starring in this story with black humor, violence and emotion, was his great reference in the filming.

Di Girolamo describes him as "an exceptional actor", cultured, profound and with a great sense of humor. “It was very inspiring to watch him work.”

Regarding mentions as a possible Oscar candidate, Di Girolamo avoided getting ahead of himself. "Let's see what happens in the future. But obviously, for me it's positive, it's nice to receive love, it's motivating and mobilizing."

Di Girolamo assures that he wants to continue participating in international projects, but without separating himself from his country: "I have my home here in Chile, I love living here and I always knew that I wanted a solid base from which to leave and to return to."

© 2026 AFP

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