Victoria Pedretti Praises Hanna van Vliet, Talks Self-Acceptance at Rotterdam Film Festival

Victoria Pedretti and Hanna van Vliet Discuss Representation and Industry Diversity at IFFR

During a recent appearance at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, "The Haunting of Hill House" star Victoria Pedretti praised fellow actor and co-creator of Netflix's "Anne+," Hanna van Vliet.

"You are a leader," Pedretti told van Vliet. "True, I'm a leader," van Vliet responded, acknowledging that industry transformation begins with "diversifying the teams."

Discussing the creation of "Anne+," van Vliet emphasized the importance of inclusive casting: "We made 'Anne+' without any money, so we had the freedom to cast and hire whoever we wanted. People get better at their jobs over time and become the ones in power. We have to start small and foster everyone's growth."

Pedretti added that while the entertainment industry can be "corrupt," it's crucial to understand its inner workings to make a difference. "I remember the first dinner with the cast of 'The Haunting of Hill House,' and everyone was talking about Harvey Weinstein. I thought, 'Is this what I'm getting into?'"

Pedretti expressed her preference for projects that explore meaningful themes: "I've heard people say, 'I want you to be a collaborator in this,' but they don't. I don't even try to audition for big-budget productions that say nothing. I'd rather make a short film about something that matters."

In addition to "The Haunting of Hill House" and its sequel, Pedretti has appeared in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and Ava DuVernay's "Origin." van Vliet, whose focus is on the representation of LGBTQ+ characters, is preparing for the release of "The Muffler," which explores lesbian relationships in Amsterdam.

Both actresses highlighted the transformative power of representation. Van Vliet shared that "Anne+" had a profound impact on her self-acceptance and created a supportive community around her. Pedretti emphasized that films like "Lilo & Stitch" can deeply resonate with viewers by providing a sense of belonging.

Pedretti also addressed the importance of theater, crediting Broadway's "An Enemy of the People" with expanding her artistic freedom. She encouraged audiences to embrace the diversity of theater and not let a single negative experience discourage them.