Timeless London #2 Giulia Maglione
- wendyy0
- 7月23日
- 讀畢需時 13 分鐘
已更新：7月24日
把「同理心」開動出來！
時：2025年5月17日，下午四時
地：Hampstead Heath, London
人：Giulia Maglione
跟第一位訪問嘉賓正式又認真地坐下來漫談不同，與Giulia Maglione (Instagram: @soliloquiemente)的對談是非常生動的，因為當時我們剛剛在附近吃完一頓非常好吃的意大利午餐，正在前往附近美麗的Hampstead Heath路上。所以這個訪談，我們是一面走一面談的。我其實一直有點想不明白自己跟她是如何成為好朋友的，畢竟她性格非常開朗又朋友眾多，怎會看上我這個嚴肅又內向的山羊座？那天天氣十分好，藍天白雲下，Giulia告訴我更多關於她的一切，我好像終於開始明白我們連結著的地方。
你從哪裡來？為什麼會在倫敦生活？
我來自意大利的Turin，來了倫敦七年。起初是來讀Performing Art，然後一直留下來。我離開意大利是想尋找「文化」，倫敦正是提供了文化。意大利不是沒有文化，但一切老是Roman Empire時期的東西。戲院和新興劇場在我的小城市，真是十根指頭就數完。雖然現在情況已開始改變，年輕一代想捕捉當前的意大利，但意大利的Performing Art仍然很新，很contempary，很experimental，只有一家在Venice的學校有課，但當然非常貴。在意大利讀書只可向銀行借錢，免費的課程我又不喜歡，來倫敦讀書，反而還比較便宜。
你目前在做甚麼? 你有甚麼想追求的事?
我在做電影，我是一個Production Assistant，剛完成一套大電影。但下一步呢？我想拍一套自己寫的電影，再找Producer去製作。如果可以選擇，我想找個地方待三個月，完全lock myself up，就只是寫。我未有具體的concept，但我有一本筆記記下了很多未成形的想法，所以我正正需要那三個月去figure out，我猜其中要用兩個月去see it through，再用一個月去寫出來吧；我希望成為一個編劇和導演，也希望別人會認得我的作品，當然可以賺取收入。我想擁有自己的時間，像那些成功的導演一樣，可以有幾年不用工作的時間去構思。我其實真的是want it all！
為什麼最初會愛上表演藝術和電影？
我猜是逃避主義吧。從我是小孩時，我已想逃走，在電影和詩裏面，我彷彿才找到自己。詩讓我可以分析自己、分析世界。即使那是虛構的，但它跟現實世界又不能說全無關係。我在當中找到令我覺得安慰的地方，它提供了更多角度讓我理解生活，甚至提供了某些答案。這真的很吸引我，我也用它去跟其他人連結；意大利的生活很美很簡單，但不想我最需要的。我覺得與其說逃避，不如說是去發現，是explore而不是escape。我跟母親關係不好，過去很多事也並不特別閃亮。我猜，每個人遇到事情的時候都會有個像避難所一般的地方，我猜我就是想透過這兩種藝術發現這個地方吧。
你此時此刻的狀態是……？
我猜我常常都是迷失的，但我正學習接受它。我覺得我好像領悟到我要接受這種不確定，無論是戀愛也好、事業也好。如果你是一個藝術家，你就要對此感到舒服，因為人生就是這麼不確定的。情感上，誰也沒有欠誰，誰也不擁有誰，關係是不到我們控制的，所以我覺得要去學習怎樣去「流」。即使我常常說，我可以go with the flow，但有時情緒就是閉塞住了，不過現在的我， 能跟它相處得好些。多些真實， 多些坦誠， 對自己誠實， 就很好了。
有甚麼人是你覺得可以用來借鏡，或者很能讓你得到啟發？
嗯，說起來可能有點sterotype，但我很喜歡David Lynch，他是我其中一個很大的啟發來源。即使他是那種典型的美國白男，但他本身是一個畫家、一個藝術家，然後把電影發展成他獨特的風格：他就是一個製作瘋狂電影的導演！而獨特但又跟商業平衡得到，成功地建立自己的品牌，是不易的。我也希望像他那樣，以自己喜歡的方式去做作品，不用妥協太多。所以我很欣賞他樣樣都能兼顧的才華。
你覺得怎樣才能實行這個夢想？
一定要有規律！這很重要。我不覺得我一定就會成功，不過即使不成功，我猜我也會找到方法令自己過得開心。有時我也會懷疑自己，因為要去過即使失敗都能開心的生活，其實要很有信心才行的。但是規律可以幫我實踐很多事，說不定，要成功也不一定是沒可能呢？我覺得是可能的！
有沒有想過要離開倫敦？
當然有啊！我想去一個溫暖的地方，甚至不一定在歐洲，例如摩洛哥，總之就是熱和可以讓我好好放鬆的地方。我猜是城市步伐的問題，倫敦的節奏實在太快了，雖然我很喜歡在這裡，好像上次跟你一起去Prince Charles Cinema看Pulp Fiction很快樂（笑），但在倫敦是很需要detox的。每一件小事，不過是付個帳、買個保險之類的，都很hectic！還有的是身邊總是人，但有時我只想待在一個安靜的地方。詭異的是，這跟我為什麼來倫敦的原因正好相反。
我覺得在倫敦，一個深層的問題是我永遠都會是個外來者。我不是英國人，這令人常常覺得，你不是真的完全融入這個地方，一定不會是100%！所以，離開是一定的。
如果可以，你想……
我真希望每個人…… 可能在頸後吧，都有一個開關，去把「同理心」開動出來！我覺得社會上真正的問題是大家都太獨立主義了，只顧眼前的生活、自己的圈子。有時連我自己也可以變得很自私，沒有能量去理會別人的事。但在意大利的時候，我不是這樣的，我有時間留給身邊的人。我覺得在倫敦，大家都聚焦在自己怎樣才可以成為這個人或者那個人，但為什麼我們不能就聚焦在現在的這個自己呢？為什麼不能對大家都有多點寬容？如果能把這放在大家的頸後就好了！因為compassion總會給你一個新角度去看世界，設身處地想想別人，那麼我們就不會做各種壞事。
回望過去，展望將來
我改變了太多了。小時候的我因為家庭原因，是個troubled child。但我現在真的懂得好好照顧自己了，我很自豪於自己一人把很多困難都一一克服過來。我來到倫敦，讀自己喜歡的科目、做自己所愛的行業，我覺得最大的改變，也是最重要的一點，是我學會也接受自己是值得的，而且要尊重自己。以前的我不懂得堅守boundaries，界線這回事，幸運的人可能五歲就學會了，但我從小沒有被教育這個，所以這個領悟得來不易。清楚自己的界線並堅守著，你總不會走得太差的。
明年今日的你會是如何？
我想我會成為一個導演助理吧。事業上很希望是如此，一直往電影前進。戀愛呢？可能會有大改變也未定。誰知道呢？但我的inner self一定會變得更強，對於我內心的進步，是每個人都應該追求的。我會變得更自信和更強。
我很欣賞Giulia對事情的洞悉力，而她的爽朗令我覺得她對生活總有團火。就如她自己所言，住在倫敦這麼有挑戰性，連想找間shared room來住都要跟人爭個你死我活（作為同在倫敦七年又搬家無數次的人，我非常有默契地給予苦笑），這團火就是這裏才有的！倫敦就是有很多事情一直在發生著，每件生活小事都是考驗。但不經過考驗，我們無法更清楚地認識自己。
Giulia跟我一樣有著不容易的成長和過去，而同為倫敦的外來者, 我們被這裡的生活刺激，同時也塑造著。我們對這個新的城市有著多麼豐富的觀察和反思，再對自己作出各種映照。我猜這正是我一開初提及的，我們之間能連結的地方。
倫敦是生活最好的試煉場，我可以想像做電影的她，挑戰一定會更多更刺激，這正正也是她最初追求的：發掘不同的世界，追尋文化。
專欄簡介
用心生活的人都是值得欣賞的。在倫敦，我召集了十二位用心生活的人，他們有著不同的背景、職業、愛好、生活方式，但共通的是，他們對生活有著熱情的心。我一一訪問，紀錄他們當前狀態，希望一年後，這個小小的時間囊會成為他們檢視生活的美好回憶。
作者簡介
周綺婷，(Instagram: @iris_ychow) 香港出生長大。2018年獨自移居英國，從此在這裡生活。中文系畢業、博物館研究碩士。目前在倫敦某大型文化藝術中心工作，並以教廣東話作為點綴。兩屆青年文學獎得主，作品曾刊《字花》、《別字》等，著有專欄〈原來都走到這裡〉刊《大頭菜文藝月刊》。喜歡村上春樹、古典音樂、伯爵茶和鄰居的貓。
Timeless London
#2 Giulia Maglione
Date: 17 May 2025, 4:00 PM
Location: Hampstead Heath, London
Guest: Giulia Maglione
Unlike the first interview, where I sat down with my guest in a more formal, reflective manner, my conversation with Giulia Maglione (Instagram: @soliloquiemente) unfolded in motion - both literally and emotionally. We'd just finished a delicious Italian lunch nearby and were making our way toward the lush green expanse of Hampstead Heath. So instead of being a seated exchange, this interview took place mid-walk, mid-laughter, as sunlight danced between leaves.
I’ve often wondered how Giulia and I even became close. She’s outgoing, vivacious, and surrounded by friends - why would someone like that gravitate toward someone like me? A serious, introverted Capricorn? But that afternoon, under an open blue sky, as Giulia began to share more of her story, I started to understand what tied us together.
Where are you from? And why are you living in London?
I'm from Turin, Italy. I've been in London for seven years now. I originally came to study performing arts and just stayed.
I left Italy in search of ‘culture’, and London gave me that. Italy has culture, of course, but it's always about the Roman Empire. That’s the past. In my small hometown, you could count the theatres and performance venues on two hands. Things are changing now, the younger generation wants to capture modern Italy, but performing arts are still a new, contemporary, experimental thing there. There’s only one school in Venice that offers a relevant course, and it’s extremely expensive. In Italy, you can only afford to study by taking out a bank loan, and I didn’t like the free courses on offer. Studying in London actually turned out to be cheaper.
What are you doing now? And what are you hoping to pursue?
I work in film as a production assistant, and I just wrapped a big feature. But what's next? I want to make a film based on something I’ve written, find a producer, get it made. Ideally, I’d lock myself away for three months and just write. I don’t have a concrete concept yet, but I’ve got a notebook full of fragments and half-formed ideas. I think I need two months to sit with them, and one month to write the script.
I want to be a screenwriter and director. I want people to recognise my work, and yes, I want to make money doing it. I want to own my time. Like those successful directors who can disappear for years to incubate ideas. Honestly? I want it all.
What first drew you to the performing arts and film?
Escapism, I think. Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to run away. In film and in poetry, I felt like I could finally find myself. Poetry allows me to analyse myself and the world. Even though it's fiction, it still connects to reality. There’s something comforting about that, it offers new perspectives on life, sometimes even answers. That deeply appeals to me. It’s also how I connect to others.
Life in Italy is beautiful and simple, but not always what I need most. So maybe it’s less about escaping, and more about exploring. My relationship with my mother wasn’t great. A lot of things in my past weren’t particularly shiny. I guess everyone has a kind of refuge - a place to return to when life gets hard. And for me, that refuge is found through these two art forms.
How are you, truly, in this moment of your life?
I think I’m often lost. But I’m learning to be okay with that.
Lately, I’ve realised that I need to embrace uncertainty, in love, in my career. If you're an artist, you need to be at peace with the unknown, because that’s what life is.
Emotionally, no one owes anyone anything. We don’t own each other. Relationships can’t be controlled. So I’m learning to flow. I always say I go with the flow, but sometimes I get emotionally stuck. These days, though, I can sit with that stuckness a little better. Be more real. Be honest, with others and with myself. That’s enough.
Is there anyone who inspires you or serves as a role model?
It might sound cliché, but I really love David Lynch. He’s one of my biggest inspirations. Sure, he’s the classic white American man, but he started out as a painter, as an artist. Then he built his own cinematic language: he's the director who makes “crazy” films! And to maintain that level of uniqueness while still finding a commercial balance, building a recognisable brand? That’s hard.
I admire how he manages to do it all. I want to make work my way, without compromising too much. That’s the kind of talent I respect.
How do you think you can make that dream a reality?
Discipline. That’s key.
I’m not saying I will succeed, but even if I don’t, I want to build a life that still feels joyful. That takes confidence, being happy even if you fail. But routine helps me get things done. And who knows? Success might not be impossible after all. I think it’s possible.
Have you ever thought of leaving London?
Absolutely! I want to go somewhere warm. Not necessarily in Europe. Maybe Morocco, just somewhere hot where I can really relax.
I think it’s the pace of the city. London moves too fast. I love it here, remember when we went to see Pulp Fiction at Prince Charles Cinema? That was so fun (laughs). But London constantly needs detoxing. Even small things: paying bills, buying insurance, are hectic. And you’re never alone. Sometimes I just want silence.
Ironically, this is the opposite of what brought me here in the first place.That’s a deeper issue. I’ll always be an outsider. I’m not British, and that means I’ll never feel 100% part of this place. So yes - one day, I’ll leave.
If you could, what would you change?
I wish everyone had a little switch behind their neck. One that could turn empathy on.
The real issue in society is that everyone is too individualistic - focused on their own lives, their own circles. I can be like that too. Sometimes I don’t have the energy to care. But in Italy, I was different. I had more time for people.
In London, everyone’s so busy becoming this or that version of themselves. Why can’t we just focus on who we are, right now? Why can’t we be a little softer with one another?
If we all had that empathy switch, maybe we’d stop doing terrible things. Compassion always opens up new ways of seeing the world.
Looking back, looking forward
I’ve changed a lot. As a kid, I was troubled, mostly because of family stuff. But now, I’ve learned how to take care of myself. I’m really proud of that. I came to London, studied what I love, and worked in the field I’m passionate about.
The biggest shift? I’ve learned that I’m worthy. I’ve learned to respect myself.
Boundaries - I used to have none. Some lucky people learn about boundaries at five years old. I didn’t. So this lesson came late, and hard. But once you know your boundaries and can protect them, you’re never too far off course.
A year from now, where do you see yourself?
Hopefully working as a director’s assistant, still moving forward in film.
As for love? Who knows, maybe there’ll be big changes. But I’m sure of this: my inner self will be stronger. And that’s what everyone should work on first. I’ll be more confident, more resilient.
There’s something about Giulia’s brightness - her spark, that makes it feel like she always has a flame burning inside her. It’s that same fire you need to survive London. Even finding a shared flat can feel like a battle for survival. (As someone who’s also spent seven years here and moved countless times, I gave her a knowing, bitter-sweet smile.) But perhaps that fire only burns because of this city. In London, things are always happening. Every small task, every piece of everyday life - feels like a test. And without these tests, maybe we’d never come to understand ourselves so clearly.Like me, Giulia has known a difficult past. And like me, she’s an outsider here, shaped and provoked by the city at once. Together, we’re both constantly observing, reflecting, making sense of London, and through it, making sense of ourselves. Maybe that’s the connection I couldn’t quite name at the beginning.
London is the greatest trial ground for life. For someone like Giulia, who works in film and thrives on creative risk, I imagine those challenges are even more intense and exhilarating. And that, perhaps, is what she was chasing from the beginning: new worlds. New cultures. New ways of being.
(Originally written in Traditional Chinese.)
About This Column
People who live mindfully are always worth appreciating. In London, I gathered twelve individuals who each live with intention. They come from different backgrounds, careers, interests, and lifestyles, but they all share a passion for life. I sat down with each of them to capture a snapshot of where they are right now. A year from now, I hope this little time capsule brings them warm memories as they reflect on how far they’ve come.
About the Author
Iris Yee-Ting Chow, (Instagram: @iris_ychow) born and raised in Hong Kong. Moved to the UK alone in 2018 and has been here ever since. Holds a degree in Chinese Language and Literature and a master’s in Art Museum and Gallery Studies. Currently works at a major art and culture centre in London and moonlights as a Cantonese tutor. Twice awarded the Hong Kong Youth Literature Award. Work has appeared in Fleurs des Lettres and Typo. Writes the column So This Is Where I’ve Come To for The Turnip Arts Journal. A lover of Haruki Murakami, classical music, Earl Grey tea, and the neighbour’s cat.
