Acting and fragrance are both ways to escape the physical borders of our world. While our reality may feel permanent, these two forms of fiction have the ability to transform and transport us, even if it’s only for a moment. A single spritz of perfume can evoke an array of emotions just as a line spoken by a skilled actor can do the same. So, it makes sense that Prada tapped actor Jake Gyllenhaal as the face of their latest cologne Luna Rossa Ocean—a fresh yet sophisticated scent, which features notes of bergamot, vetiver essence, and iris.
Here, we chat with Gyllenhaal about how he returns to reality after transforming into a character for a role, the tie between scent and memories, and more.
Before you left Columbia University to pursue acting, you intended to major in Eastern religions and philosophy. Are those subjects still topics that interest you today?
“Philosophy and Eastern religions were, for me, not only intellectual outlets, but also an interesting psychological one. I consider myself to be more an abstract thinker and I always like to have a point of view that is somewhat spiritual; I grew up in a family where my mother is Jewish and my father is Christian, and they always emphasized spirituality. I learned about a lot of interesting ideas in both [subjects] and I continue to to this day.”
Many of your acting roles have required an immense amount of physical, mental, and psychic endurance. How do you approach that? How do you return to “normal” once filming wraps?
“I think the most important thing for me always is the story. That is the essence, that is why we love watching anything, so I do devote [a huge part of] myself to that story as a character in it. [To get out of that mindset] it's important for me to be around people that I love. Interacting with them and interacting with my friends, many of whom are not part of the entertainment industry. And just spending time, enjoying time with them, that’s how I unwind. I think that a wonderful conversation with a wonderful meal can cure a lot of ills, and can definitely help you to move out of a creative space, such as a character, and back into reality.”
How has your acting method changed as you’ve gotten older?
“My approach to acting has changed because I have had the opportunity to be able to make many films at this point. They have all been lessons and they reflect different experiences throughout my life. The biggest thing I have learned is that acting is about being open and being able to be vulnerable as the character. That requires a connection, particularly with the director. It's their film, and it's their story in the end.
I find that if you connect with that person and work with someone who you love and respect from the beginning, who you really enjoy and can have fun with, you can create great things. So I think my approach is about staying positive in creation. I don't always go to positive places [emotionally]; I try to find very human, complex places, and go there.”
Has scent or fragrance ever played a role in preparation for a film?
“[I don't have a specific] scent that I wear, but I do think scent conjures memories. I [draw on] memories and experiences [to inform my work], and oftentimes these will conjure scent.”
Acting, of course, involves transformation, as can fragrance. What emotions or sensations does Prada Luna Rossa Ocean evoke after you spritz it on?
“I think that Prada Luna Rossa Ocean is about the coming together of technology and art. [It's about] the power of harnessing the huge power of nature and using it for specific reasons. The scent [evokes] this idea of adventure, the idea of freedom, and the power of nature."