JOEL SÁNCHEZ *Breaking New Ground

JOEL SÁNCHEZ
*Breaking New Ground

written Juan Marti

Sometimes it's all down to fate. It happens when the stars conspire like the witches of Mcbeth and without expecting it, someone appears who makes a great impact, a person with something special.

LE MILE Magazine, AGE OF CHANGE Nr. 37
Fall/Winter 2024-25

JOEL SANCHEZ wears
total look JIL SANDER by Lucie and Luke Meier

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“It allows you to live a thousand lives and makes your own life more complete because it makes you look into your psychology and above all into people's.”

Joel Sanchez speaks with Juan Marti
first published: LE MILE Magazine - AGE OF CHANGE, Issue Nr. 37

That thing is difficult to explain but it's what makes you can't take your eyes off them, that makes you interested in the way they dress, the way they talk, even the way they smoke. Joel Sánchez is one such example: he has that thing that dazzles before the cameras and he has been able to prove it with only one TV series behind him.

His character in the successful spin off of Money Heast, Berlin, made millions of people fall in love with him all over the world thanks to his mischievousness, attractiveness and comedy. Critics and audiences have deemed him as the show's "breakout star", and for good reason. The entertainment and fashion industries have surrendered to Joel as he deals with maturity and professionalism the wave of fame that has burst into his life. But the actor, with a splendid future ahead of him, maintains his relaxed attitude and tries to savor every second of the magnificent gift that life has given him: making his dream come true.

total look ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

vest PAUL SMITH
pleated trousers SETCHU
trousers CHB CHRISTIAN BOARO
shoes SEBAGO
earrings VOODOO JEWELS

Juan Marti
Joel, time goes by so fast! It's been almost six months since the premiere of Berlin, the spin-off of Money Heist, which was a huge success. Looking back, what do you feel when you think about the months in which the series came out?

Joel Sánchez
Well, I feel very happy because it was something new for me, and to be able to see how people embrace the project and your character is something very nice and something I had never experienced before.

Berlin was also your first job as an actor, a profession that has always been your great passion. Do you believe that dreams come true?

It is a profession that always generated a lot of curiosity in me, but honestly until I did not work in it I did not realize what a beautiful job it is, it allows you to live a thousand lives and makes your own life more complete because it makes you look into your psychology and above all into people's. I feel very lucky to have found this beautiful profession. I feel very lucky to have found this beautiful way of making a living.

In less than a year your life has changed completely. I'm sure there are times when big changes can be overwhelming. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by everything that has happened?

The truth is that no, as I said before it has been a very nice process, I really enjoy the messages I read and things like that. Obviously there will be moments and moments as with all things, but at the moment I am savoring it.

Is it easy to keep your feet on the ground when success comes so unexpectedly?

For me that lies in the education and values that each one has.

During this year, what is the most important lesson you have learned?

The most important lesson for me that I have learned is that you have to be "calm" when things go well and when things go wrong, because everything is over, everything is temporary.

trousers VERSACE
necklace SWAROVSKI

team credits

seen NICOLA PAGANO
creative fashion director and stylist CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
contributing editor LEONARDO MARTINO
talent JOEL SANCHEZ via NEXT Management @nextmilan

makeup MATTIA ANDREOLI
hair stylist DOMENICO PAPA
video editor ALEXANDRE JOUX
set designer ALESSIA SORESSI
fashion coordinator assistant LEONARDO VANTAGGI

fashion assistants LAURA GIROLAMI, JULIA ANTONIN, NICOLÒ PIOMBINO, IRENE MOTTO-ROS
production assistant ANJA MENEGON

“You have to be 'calm' when things go well and when things go wrong, because everything is over, everything is temporary.”

Joel Sanchez speaks with Juan Marti
first published: LE MILE Magazine - AGE OF CHANGE, Issue Nr. 37

shirt DURAZZI
pull FERRAGAMO
shorts THE FRANKIE SHOP
trousers ZEGNA
tie CARLO PIGNATELLI

shirt DSQUARED2
blazer OCTOBRE EDITION
jeans LOIS JEANS
shoes SEBAGO

micro-striped shirt BALLANTYNE
maxi collar shirt SANDRO
orange shirt FENDI
pants DIESEL
shoes PAUL SMITH

You will soon premiere La Favorita 1922, a big production about a restaurant in Madrid in the 1920's. What exactly interested you in this project?

Well, I was interested because it is my second project and I want to work and work and work, but above all I was curious to be able to play a period character, the clothes, the way of seeing and enjoying the life of that era.

You now live in Madrid but I know you are very attached to your homeland, the Canary Islands. What do you do when you feel homesick?

I start watching videos that I have in my favorites of moments with my family and friends in Lanzarote and I get over the nonsense (laughs).

Starting your life in a big city is always hard and you live moments that you never forget. How do you remember your first years in Madrid?

My mother is from Madrid so for me the change was not so radical, besides that I consider myself a very open person and always eager to meet new people so the adaptation was quite easy.

Now that you have immersed yourself in a project set in the last century, I would like to talk about nostalgia. Are you a person who usually remembers the past?

I tend to remember the past as long as it does not affect the future I want to project. It is true that for this work you have to resort to past things to empathize with things of your character etc. But I always try to do it in a healthy way and not to stir up old traumas.

What advice would you give Joel from ten years ago, and how would he feel if he saw all that you are achieving?

To enjoy life because 80% of the problems happen only in our head. That it is good to worry about the future but not to live in it.

I am happy because it has not been an easy road, at the end you make a decision without knowing the consequences and once you have seen them and see that it was worth it, it is a very nice sensation.

also read
Gregory Crewdson at Espace Louis Vuitton *Dreamscapes of a Haunted America

coat OUR LEGACY
shirt LEVI’S
skirt DURAZZI MILANO
trousers DOLCE & GABBANA

polo CALVIN KLEIN JEANS
shirt Plissè ISSEY MIYAKE
jeans THE ATTICO

If you could choose a past era to live in, what would it be?

I would say the 70's or 80's, in those years for me life was more real, without social networks, without anything that could distract you from being here and now.

How did you feel when you first entered the beautifully constructed sets of La Favorita 1922?

As if coming out of a time machine, the truth is that the sets are a real blast.

Your character is a waiter trying to find a better life, in what way did you connect with your character? Do you always seek to identify in a certain way with the characters you have played so far?

In a way, I also worked as a waiter and other things to pay my college tuition, so I empathize with my character, I think you always have to look for something of yourself in the character to empathize with his life, but I also think that throughout your career as an actor you will get characters that make you learn and delve into areas that you had never considered within yourself and that's nice.

blazer TOM FORD
trousers LOUIS VUITTON

“At the moment, I am savoring it.”

Joel Sanchez speaks with Juan Marti
first published: LE MILE Magazine - AGE OF CHANGE, Issue Nr. 37

CLARA GALLE *Truth in Art

CLARA GALLE
*Truth in Art

interview + written Alban E. Smajli

In Clara Galle's dazzling realm, the fusion of genuine emotion with artistic excellence sparks performances that captivate and strike a chord.

Clara, renowned for her authentic portrayal, masters the intricate dance of human emotions with unparalleled depth. Her diverse roles across genres showcase a dedication to capturing the true spirit of her characters, supported by a distinctive combination of athletic discipline and the instinctive fluidity of her performance style. Whether it's through carefully crafted character playlists or engaging in the collective endeavor of storytelling, Clara's method stands as a tribute to the impact of sincere engagement. As a protector of human stories, Clara Galle's body of work invites us to engage with narratives that resonate with honesty and deep understanding. Elevating beyond mere acting, she emerges as a storyteller in an arena seeking truth. Her empathetic journey into the human condition marks her as a transformative presence, reshaping the narrative landscape with her steadfast devotion to genuine storytelling.

Clara wears
dress PALOMO Y BIMBA & LOLA
shoes FERRAGAMO
jewelry TOUS

full look VERSACE
garter belt BIMBA BLUME
jewelry TOUS

“What I always look for, and what is essential for me, is to tell the truth. That's the focus I bring to my characters... If I find myself blocked in a scene, I tell myself, 'Just tell the truth,' and I think that's what makes a character come through.”

Clara Galle speaks with Alban E. Smajli
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36

Alban E. Smajli
Your performances are often described as captivating and immersive. Can you share with us how you prepare to embody a character and create such a deep connection with your audience?
Clara Galle
What I always look for, and what is essential for me, is to tell the truth. That's the focus I bring to my characters. Obviously, I build their personality, the way they talk, how they walk, but in the end, when I'm on set, the most important thing is that those characters somehow move, and you're not going to move if you're not looking for the truth. That's why, for me, everything else comes in second place, even though I work a lot on each aspect and build it from scratch. If I find myself blocked in a scene, I tell myself, "Just tell the truth," and I think that's what makes a character come through.

Trance can be interpreted as a state of intense focus and immersion. Have you ever found yourself so engrossed in a character that it felt like entering a trance-like state? If so, what was that experience like for you?
I can easily differentiate when I am in character and when I am not. I know how to get out of it, but it is also true that, since you give yourself completely to the character, to the scene, and to the sequence you are working on, even when you know that you are no longer in character, the body is still there somehow. You have forced it to feel something in particular, be it sadness, happiness, or any other emotion, so, somehow, you trick your body. It has happened to me that I have gone home sometimes with the feeling that I have worked with, although mentally, I know I'm not there.

Throughout your career, you've taken on a variety of roles across different genres. Is there a particular genre or type of character that you find yourself drawn to, where you feel most in tune with your own artistic expression?
I haven't been in this career for very long, but it's true that I've had the opportunity to work in different genres, and I'd like to explore all of them in the future. I'm a curious person and would like to try action, horror, romance, or science fiction. But what I feel more in line with my artistic sensibility, more than the genre, is the everyday scenario. A sequence that does not need many elements, but several people, or even one person, talking and expressing the deepest yet simplest aspects of human beings. I feel that in those simple things, I recognize myself the most and can dig the deepest artistically. But there is also another part of me, the impulsive, restless, and sporty part (since I come from the sports world), which is very much drawn to action. When I move and use a kind of energy that comes from another place, I feel that I generate an artistically different Clara, and I love that too.

As an actor, you have the unique ability to transport audiences into different worlds and experiences. How do you approach the challenge of balancing the authenticity of a character's emotions with the demands of storytelling?
What is important for me, when telling the story and at the same time being faithful to the character and the expression, is to trust the script, the director, the rest of the cast, and the team. It may seem that creating a character is an individual task, but when the character comes to me, it has already gone through a screenwriter and a director. Although you are the one who delves into the depths of the character, it is a collaborative effort. Cinema cannot be individualistic; quite the opposite. The purpose of cinema is collective, so the creation process cannot be individualistic either. It requires both an individual and a group effort.

Trance music often serves as a catalyst for introspection and self-discovery. Have you ever used music or soundscapes to enhance your preparation for a role or to deepen your understanding of a character's psyche?
Music is a tool I use extensively for my characters, to work on them, even for casting. All my characters have had a playlist with songs they would probably listen to, songs that remind me of a scene or describe a character's emotion. In the end, what is rational, what can be said in words, is limited, and a character and a mood are not, so I feel that music reflects that best. I use it as a field study, but many times also on set, I put on the music and create the atmosphere from which I transform myself into the character.

Re flecting on your journey as an actor, what has been the most unexpected lesson you've learned about yourself or your acting?
It's actually something I already knew, but this profession constantly reminds me of, and I love that it does: I don't know anything. I have millions of things to learn, and there will always be many more to come. It can be a bit overwhelming at times to think that, no matter how much you want to learn and grow, you will never have complete knowledge, but actually, I find it fascinating to know that every day you will go out into the world and learn new things. I think it's a thought that keeps you constantly with your eyes open, keeps you curious, interested in what's around you, and in how human behavior can be. It is a lesson that helps me in my work, to put things in perspective, and also to manage my self-demands.

full look GEORGES HOBEIKA
jewelry TOUS

full look PRADA
jewelry TOUS

“Music is a tool I use extensively for my characters, to work on them, even for casting. All my characters have had a playlist with songs they would probably listen to, songs that remind me of a scene or describe a character's emotion.”

Clara Galle speaks with Alban E. Smajli
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36

bra VALENTINO
dress ANA LOCKING
jewelry TOUS

team credits

seen Leire Cavia
art direction Josefina Maiza
styled Manu Mendi
muah Pablo Macías by ARMANI Beauty
fashion direction Chidozie Obasi
talent Clara Galle
retouch Sara Ivars
set design Lucho Campos + Josefina Maiza

As you continue to evolve in your career, what are some personal or professional goals that you aspire to achieve?
Obviously, I have speci fic dreams, such as directors or actors I would like to work with, genres or stories I would like to tell. I have learned to write down the things I want on a list and keep them there but let my path choose me, which will always find me striving, working, and learning, since many times what comes is even better than what I wished for. But my greatest wish is to be able to choose things with my heart and see that I am improving, growing as a person and as an actress.

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, what role do you believe art and storytelling play in helping us navigate and make sense of our experiences?
I believe that telling stories, as well as listening to the stories that are told to you, is essential. Since I was a little girl, my weekend plans with my family (even though my parents don’t professionally belong to this world) have been to go see a play at the theatre or a movie at the cinema. I have grown up with that, and I don't know how I would reason in my head if these activities had not been a regular part of my life, if I had not grown up listening to stories. There is something about sharing, about knowing the same story, seeing the same movie, having the same or different feelings about the same story, that makes society become a community, and makes us think and consider things.

follow artist @claaragalle

all images for LE MILE Magazine (c) Leire Cavia

Fernando Lindez *Coming of Age

Fernando Lindez
*Coming of Age

written Chidozie Obasi

Fernando Lindez is a bona fide heartthrob: He’s the kind of person who doesn’t wake up in a bad mood, and when he picks up the Zoom call to speak to me, he’s already in good spirits, laughing charismatically between sips of water.

Throughout our conversation, Lindez strikes as someone who is both insightful and honest, whether we’re discussing his wildest dreams - having been an aficionado of the movie industry for years, he believes in the power of community culture as a weapon of growth - or the challenges of being in the public eye from a young age. “I honestly never liked being in front of a camera and actually hated it!” He exclaims, cheerfully, radiating emotion as you’d expect from a man whose career basks in the limelight from iconic appearances in the world’s leading runways to iconic series such as Elite. He isn’t all sunshine and light though: Lindez revealed some of his most challenging experiences, but it was his own insecurities that helped him find common ground in life and in the characters he played. Wielding a coming of age cast, including the likes of Mirela Balic, Ivan Mendes and Nadia Al Saidi, his role in Elite has been making serious waves. From his initial career dabs, and living up to popular expectations, to mental health – we dug deep.

FERNANDO LINDEZ wearing
total look VERSACE

LE MILE Magazine
TRANCE Issue, No. 36 Cover Fernando Lindez
wearing MOSCHINO

“I honestly never liked being in front of a camera and actually hated it! But now that I've seen all the videos or the episodes, it's funny to remember everything that I did in that project.”

Fernando Lindez speaks with Chidozie Obasi
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36

Chidozie Obasi
With everything that has happened over the years, have these times of uncertainty affected your identity in a way?
Fernando Lindez
I think this period was a great one for me, particularly because I had the chance to be involved in projects where I learned a lot from my partners, from the directors I met and the people I had the chance to work with. I think it affected me in a positive way and made me grow as a professional, particularly as an actor. Obviously the pandemic crisis badly affected the film industry and the fashion sector too, but I feel like it's slowly getting better.

How did you get into fashion?
It was all pure casualty! I honestly never liked being in front of a camera and I actually hated it. But it all started around 2016 or 2017, with no social media. I remember a friend of mine posted a photo with me on Instagram and an agent from Uno Models here in Spain saw that picture, and then he reached out to my friend.

What was your wildest dream as a kid?
When you're a kid, it's difficult to have only one: I wanted to be a lot of things. I wanted to travel all over the world to record and talk about nature. And of course, the thing about acting was surely more in my mind than modeling when I was younger. I really liked movies, and became passionate about the film industry from early on. So I always thought about becoming a great actor.

Would you say that your Spanish upbringing has influenced you in your career in a way?
No, I don't think so. I move by my personality, what I learn from the people I’ve met, from the things I experience in life and work.
Obviously, I know where I come from and I really appreciate my culture: It’s one of the best in the world for me. But I'm always open to listening to other cultures, to learn from other people and I don't think I'm attached to just being Spanish I always like to grasp aspects from other realities: I think it's good to open your mind in that way.

total look VALENTINO

top CELINE

team credits
seen PAOLO BARRETTA
fashion director CHIDOZIE OBASI
style editor DENNIS CAPPABIANCA
grooming ANNA PELLEGRINI
light assistant LORENZO OGLIALORO

“I think that when you are in a bad position and when you are feeling bad, you just have to say it. And you have to know when to stop.”

Fernando Lindez speaks with Chidozie Obasi
LE MILE Magazine TRANCE, Nr. 36

blazer + tie MOSCHINO
trousers VALENTINO

Starting from fashion, you've also transitioned into the film industry with various roles. So how did it all begin?
So it all started at the same time, both modeling and acting. I remember when I started in fashion, they also called me for an audition for a TV Show. I didn't even have a lot of experience into the acting industry. But now that I've seen all the videos or the episodes, it's funny to remember everything that I did in that project, which was my first one. And I only have happy memories about it. After that, I discovered I could act and I was able to do it. I wanted to learn more, so I got into acting in schools to learn more about this practice, and I'm still doing it. I think it's a profession where one is always learning.

And then what would you say that was your hardest role to ever take as an actor?
I think on Escándalo, which is a Spanish TV show. For me, it was very hard because it was my first big project as a main character. It was also a character who experienced a lot of difficulties during the story and with a really big internal problem. He had a lot of traumas from the past, so for me it was difficult to find the way this character was living with how he reacted to all the people he was having relations with during the show. It was my first time doing sex scenes too, a very hard pick for me. But, you know, it was great because I had the chance to work with Alexandra Jimenez, who is a really good actress here in Spain: she was very professional, a really good partner.

And then in terms of the outside pool of people, have you ever felt pressured to be anyone else that maybe you were not feeling quite close to in the film industry or in any roles that you took on as an actor?
Not yet, but I think as an actor, if I take a role or a character it's because I really want to do it and because I feel like I can be that person.

For example, in Elite, at the beginning, I was a bit afraid because I was playing a homosexual character. I’m not, so I wanted to hide that. However, I didn't want people to see a heterosexual guy playing as a gay actor, but I had Omar, which is a very close friend of mine, who was always supporting me and telling me how to move, how to speak, how to react to things in a way that I don't usually do. And that also helped me a lot. But it was something that was extremely interesting to me. Of course, I put some things from my own, from Fernando to Joel (the character in Elite), but it's a mix of everything that pushed me further to grow.

Would you ever consider going into production or directing?
I mean, right now, I would say no. Because I'm focusing on my acting career and I feel like I have so many things to learn, so many things to improve. I like the job as a director more than a producer. But I will see in the future. For the moment, what I want to put my focus on is acting.

How do you feel projects like Elite have developed you as an actor or just as a creative in general?
It's been almost one year and a half of filming: we filmed two seasons, and especially in the last one, my character had a lot of weight. For me, it was more difficult than the one we filmed before. And now that it’s been produced, I can say it was a big challenge for me because I did things that I never did before. I learned a lot from that and from my partners. It was a really, really good experience for me, which I’m grateful for.

What would you say is the biggest thing that you've learned from this experience?
Compañerismo! Being together. We were a big group of actors and actresses. So yeah, I would say working on a team. The power of collaboration and of being together, and also crafting a good relationship with your partner for me, it was the most important thing because we were always helping each other. And as an actor, I think it's very important to be always open to help others. Because if you help others, they will help you.

total look HERMES

And what were the most difficult and challenging ones that you navigated when you were both in fashion and also now as an actor?
I had those complex moments. Especially, I remember, after the pandemic: a period where I really struggled with nutrition. I wasn’t in a good position, mentally. So I had to take a break to focus on myself, on my body, and on my mental health. I think that when you are in a bad position and when you are feeling bad, you just have to say it. And you have to know when to stop. You have to know your limits, and it's important to know yourself and to know where those limits are. Nowadays, I like to take care of my mental health: I go to therapy here in Madrid, teamed with sports. Together, these habits help to maintain a good mental and emotional balance.

Would you ever consider going into production or directing?
I mean, right now, I would say no. Because I'm focusing on my acting career and I feel like I have so many things to learn, so many things to improve. I like the job as a director more than a producer. But I will see in the future. For the moment, what I want to put my focus on is acting.

And in terms of social media and your image, you've become a mega star since Elite. How do you cope with the public, and how does bad and good criticism affect your mental health?
I always try to put limits on my social media, as I only have Instagram.
But, I'm also someone who doesn't like to show a lot of my intimate persona on those platforms. I feel a bit afraid, I have to be honest, of showing my life and talking to people on there. Because of the the public opinion which can demonise or categorize you in a bad way.

What is next for you?
I want to move to New York for a couple of months, I will see! don't know when I will move to that place, and I don't know when I want to leave. But yeah, I want to go there and, you know, continue modeling there in the States as well and grow as an actor and as a person.

follow artist @fernando_lindez
via Why Not Models