EXCLUSIVE! “BEYOND MY EYES, MY MUSCLES’LL SURVIVE” by FRANCK GLENISSON + MARIO GALLA INTERVIEW
October 27, 2009
Mario Galla is the hero of a new editorial concept of Franck Glenisson.
“Beyond my eyes, my muscles’ll survive” or the story of a young disabled man who spent years imprisoned by his shyness in his old apartment, where reading Flaubert’s Madame Bovary over and over again represented the only evasion.
Cold weather invaded Berlin. I have just crossed the gate of Brandebourg, where 20 years ago a breeze of freedom was starting to arrive. We meet Mario Galla around a “Kaffe Kuchen” for this exclusive interview for YVYMAG. [by D.Daner]
D. Daner : How were you chosen for this editorial?
Mario Galla: I think Franck needed a special type of guy for his editorial because the “character“ that I was supposed to play was special too.
D.D.: How was this project presented to you by Franck?
M.G.: Before the shooting Franck showed me a detailed storyboard and told me about his idea. I was really impressed by the pictures of the storyboard because it really looked like a movie storyboard and not like an usual fashion shooting.
D.D. : This fashion editorial for “The Amuser“ is causing a real turmoil. The professionals of Fashion, Michele Zaqin (Vogue), Laurence Vecten (Glamour) among others have put it under spotlights at the French Fashion Award Talent 2009 “Bourse du Talent de la Mode 2009“. Were you aware of it at the moment of realisation of this “coming out” in images?
M.G.: Actually i didn’t know that this editorial would be recognized by so many people and I am still curious about people`s reaction. I think Franck really proved his courage with doing an unique and provocative editorial like this.
D.D. : During the shooting, you said that after this editorial your book would never be the same. What did you mean by that?
M.G.: At this point of my still young modeling career, I didn’t have pictures in my book where you could see my handicap on, and because of that i had to tell the clients about it at every single casting. Now after this shooting i have these beautiful pictures where you can see my handicap in details and that speaks for itself so i never have to explain or hide anything since .My handicap has always been a part of my life it was quite awkward that in Milan most people tried to hide it, which is understandable in an industry that stands for “Perfection“. Nevertheless I was thankful that Franck Glenisson decided to integrate my handicap into the story. Thanks Franck! And who knows: maybe my handicap will turn into an advantage in the sense of beeing recognized.
D.D. : Will you be in Paris during the fashion week begin 2010?
M.G.: Yes sure I think I will be there with thousand other guys standing in the rain and trying to get a job (laughter)
D.D. : What’s your agency?
M.G. :My Mother Agency in Hamburg is Promod (PMA), in Milan it’s JOY Model Management and in Paris it’s KARIN.
D.D. : You have become a sort of a Leader. You give a lot of hope and courage to a new generation of disabled people. Handicapinfo.com and lot of forums speak about you. Are you aware of that?
M.G.: No I didn’t know about that but I think a little discussion about me or the pictures is cool.To be honest i didn’t really think about this side of my work intensely before. For me my handicap has never been a central topic in my life but a side aspect, since nether I, my family or my friends consider me “disabled“. I never was treated like an handicapped person by my friends or other people, thats why I think it’s more about personality, not about if you are handicapped or not. And in the end an handicap doesn’t define which person you are.
D.D. : What ‘ll you say at disabled people who read this interview?
M.G.: I would tell them the same that I would tell every other person too! Stay who you are, enjoy your life and work on your goals.
→ Franck Glenisson Official Site
YVY Mag want to thanks Mario Galla and D. Daner for this fantastic interview and Franck Glenisson for the awesome project.
