MARILYN URIBE TALKS GOLDEN
"Cinema is something that we feel"
Daniel John
A story of many layers exploring the greed, desire, and seduction in the pursuit of fortune, where people are pushed to cross boundaries to be the one who gets away with the gold in life, what was the glimmer and the allure that drew you into the world of 'Golden'?
What drew me to 'Golden' was its moral complexity, it’s not just about greed, but about what happens when people are pushed into extreme circumstances where their sense of self begins to shift. The environment, isolated, almost inhospitable, feels like an extension of the characters’ inner worlds. There’s a constant tension between the promise of something greater and the cost of pursuing it. I think the film also reflects something deeply human, sometimes what we are searching for is already in front of us, yet we remain driven by the idea that there must be something more. Brian Austin Green’s character embodies that contradiction with a quiet honesty. His journey reveals the distance between what we think we want and what we actually need. What makes the film particularly interesting to me is that this emotional journey is present in all the characters. It gives the story a depth that goes beyond the expectations of the genre. It is an action film, but one that is grounded in emotional consequence. That balance between physical action and internal conflict is what made the project so compelling for me as an actress.
What is your perspective on Iza?
Iza exists in a very instinctive space. She understands desire, her own and that of others, and moves through it with precision. I don’t approach her as a moral figure, but as someone who adapts. In a world where everyone is trying to survive or gain something she creates her own structure. There is a certain seduction in her presence, but also a distance. She doesn’t reveal herself completely and that ambiguity is essential. It creates tension but also a sense of truth!
How would you prepare for characters who are far removed from any of your own experience. Is it still important to find some point of connection or how do you ground yourself in a character without it?
I usually begin by looking for a point of connection, even if it’s subtle. It doesn’t have to be situational, often it’s emotional. When that connection isn’t immediate, I work through the body. Movement, rhythm, breath. The physicality often leads me into the psychology. With Iza, the process was very physical. I had the opportunity to prepare with stunt coach Carlos Rodríguez, which allowed me to build the character from a place of action and presence. Working with Nick Leisure on an action film was also meaningful to me. As it was something I had wanted to explore. Being part of that environment, alongside a strong cast, added another layer to the experience. Brian Austin Green brought a grounded and generous energy to the set. His presence had a quiet impact, both professionally and personally. For me, the goal is never to judge the character, but to understand her fully and approach her with honesty.
What makes you the most passionate about a new character and telling a story?
I am drawn to contradiction. To what is unresolved. I am interested in stories that don’t offer easy answers, but instead create space for reflection. Stories that stay with you, rather than resolve themselves completely. Atmosphere is also very important to me. Cinema is something that we feel as much as we understand it.
You’ve shown great versatility. How do you see your progression as an actress?
It has been a gradual process. Early roles don’t always reflect your full range, but they are part of the foundation. There is uncertainty, but also growth. Each project adds something, even if it is not immediately visible, over time, my work has moved into a more international space. Projects like 'Narcos: Mexico', 'A Million Miles Away', and now 'Golden' have allowed me to collaborate with people who have expanded my perspective as an actress. More recently, I’ve worked in Germany, in German. It has been both challenging and enriching. I am very grateful for those opportunities, and for the chance to represent a part of my identity within different cultural contexts. At this stage, I’m also interested in creating my own projects, as a way of shaping the kind of stories I want to tell.
How did you get started in acting?
My background is rooted in the arts. I began with classical music, as part of an orchestra in Baja California. Later I studied communication with a focus on audiovisual work, and during that time I returned to music and began exploring acting within the faculty of arts. My academic training gave me structure, but also the freedom to build my own approach, combining text analysis, physical work, and emotional exploration. Dance has also been an important part of my process. Dancing allows me to access emotion in a more direct, and intuitive, way. Over the past four years, I’ve spent time in Europe, and living in Germany was a strong cultural shift. It was also deeply enriching. I had the opportunity to work on three projects there, which expanded the way I approach acting. That experience, both personal and professional, has given me new tools and I believe it will be reflected in my upcoming work. Travel in general has been essential to my process. It keeps me open, curious, and connected to different ways of seeing the world.
Do you believe it’s possible to change the world through art?
I do not think that art changes the world in an immediate or tangible way, but it does change the way we see the world, and that can eventually lead to real change. Art has the power to open conversations, to make realities visible, and to create empathy. Which is crazy, in the times we are experiencing, the world is lacking it. Sometimes a story can make someone question something they had never considered before! For me.. that in itself is already a very powerful impact.
