Alicia Borrachero – Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Whether she’s starring in an English-language or Spanish-language project, bilingual actress Alicia Borrachero tackles her roles the same way.

“Between ‘action’ and ‘cut’ it’s the same thing,” Borrachero, 40, tell me during a phone interview. “You can be in Spain or China or in the theater or in a huge Disney production and it feels the same for me.”      

Born in Madrid, Borrachero has made a successful career over the past decade on TV shows from Spain like “Periodistas” and “Hospital Central,” but has always been open to venturing out of her home country to experience new things.

Her most recent role is in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” the sequel to the popular 2005 film “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” In the film Borrachero plays Queen Prunaprismia, a Telmarine monarch who gives birth to a son and displaces Prince Caspian from gaining the throne.

During an interview with me to promote the Dec. 2 DVD release of “Prince Caspian,” Borrachero talked about the positive experience she had during production and what she imagines when she thinks of Prince Charming.

How has your life changed since “Prince Caspian” premiered in theaters back in May?

It’s changed in the sense that I was able to be a part of this amazing experience. I had never worked with Disney and never dreamed I would be part of a “Narnia” film. I had watched the first movie and absolutely loved it. It was like a dream come true. I was working with incredible professionals and I think you become better when you surround yourself with people like that.

Since you’ve had some time to look back and think about the experience, are you able to rank it among other experiences you’ve had in your television and film career or does it stand alone?

I think everything you do is different. Some things are more successful than others. With some experiences you learn something from the people you work with. That’s what happened with “Narnia.” It wasn’t so much that the character was difficult to portray, but that I had to convey a very big conflict in a very short time.

Had you read any of the books in the “Chronicles of Narnia” series?

I had never read them, but after I saw the first film I thought it would be great to read the books. When I got the part for “Prince Caspian,” I said, “Okay, now I have to read them!” I’ve read “Prince Caspian” in depth.

What is your idea of a knight in shining armor?

I imagine someone that has a big and noble heart and someone who is able to confront his fears. He might have lots of weaknesses but his biggest strength is the recognition of those weaknesses. My idea of this hero is a man who is not superficial.

The first “Narnia” won an Oscar for Best Makeup in 2005, so it should be a frontrunner for at least a nomination this year. Are you excited about the possibility of a film you are in being recognized during awards season?

Yes, it’s so exciting because it’s hard to be a part of a production as big as this. I really believe the “Narnia” films are not just action films or children’s films. I think there are so many levels to them. It can really reach so many different audiences. To me that is more important than winning an Academy Award. For me the biggest award is getting the experience and knowing that I was a part of a film that reached so many millions of people. That’s the real award.

What about as an individual? Is it import for you as an actress to be recognized for your work with awards? I know you’ve been nominated for a few for “Periodistas.”

I think it’s so nice but it’s such a lottery. I really believe the only time in life when awards are absolutely fair is in the Olympic Games and in sports. You either run faster than everybody else or you don’t. With acting, it’s all in the eye of the person that’s judging. I couldn’t tell you if the person who won an Oscar is better than the other actors who didn’t get it. But it is a pat on the back and could help you get better jobs.