Quebec singer Eva Avila, who has been discreet for several years, reemerges to defend the role of a young drug-addicted mother in the film The Coyote, which opens Friday after being screened at several festivals. A project that gave her film fever, she says.
“I think this role is made for me,” launches the former Canadian Idol winner [en 2006]in a phone interview with the Journal this week.
“Everything was nicely arranged. I didn’t have much film experience, but you had to start somewhere. When I was contacted to audition for the role, I thought, “Wow, what an amazing challenge!”
Director Katherine Jerkovic’s second feature film (Les routes in February), Le coyote focuses on the journey of a chef of Mexican descent (Jorge Martinez Colorado) who finds a job at a restaurant in La Malbaie. But just as he is about to leave Montreal, he receives a visit from his drug-addicted daughter (Eva Avila), who has broken off contact with him. She not only tells him that he has a grandson, but also asks him to take care of her little boy while she goes on a detox.
“He’s a character who had a lot in common with me,” emphasizes Eva Avila, who herself has struggled with an alcohol addiction problem. It also allowed me to reconnect with my Latin American roots. It fitted my personal story. »
American series
If this role in Le coyote gave her her first taste of cinema, Eva Avila had already had some filming experience, particularly in English. In recent years, the Gatineau-born singer-actress has had small roles in Montreal-based American series such as The Bold Type and Alert.
“Of course I like acting in English, but I’m from Quebec, I grew up in Quebec and I would like to act in Quebec films more often. I was really addicted to Le Coyote,” the 36-year-old artist points out.
In an ideal world, Eva Avila would love to find time in her schedule to continue acting on the small and big screens. However, her job as a singer keeps her busy for several months of the year. For several years she has accompanied the Brit Floyd band on stage, which pays tribute to Pink Floyd.
“I love doing this show,” she said. We tour the world averaging 130 shows a year. I’m on the road between eight and nine months a year. But what’s fun is that I get to choose my touring blocks this year. It will allow me to spend part of the summer in Quebec. »