In real life, Fernanda Andrade is a bubbly vegetarian who loves a good soccer match, but in the big-screen thriller "The Devil Inside," she faces some pretty scary stuff.
In the film, Andrade plays an Italian woman who encounters exorcisms while on a quest to find out what happened to her mother. And yes, it's based on a true story.
The Brazilian-born actress spoke to The Huffington Post about her own views on exorcisms, what it was like filming in Romania and those crazy Brazilian soccer matches.
Did you grow up watching horror movies?
No, my mom was always protecting us when it came to that stuff. She didn't like us watching scary movies, so it was one of those things that I didn't really know about until I got involved in this movie.
"The Devil Inside" is set in Italy. Did you get to shoot there?
Yeah, we did. We shot most of it in Bucharest [Romania] but we did shoot stuff in Italy. It was the tail-end of our trip; it was kind of like "Wizard of Oz" turning into color coming from Bucharest, to be honest. It was such a cold place and as soon as we got to Rome it was sunny and beautiful, and there was good food and wine and people smiled.
Do Romanians not smile?
I think it's a cultural thing. Also, we were there during the winter. They've only been a republic for 20-something years; they're still suffering from that.
So they don't smile much?
No they don't, but it doesn't put you off necessarily. Sometimes it's almost refreshing because the reactions you get are very genuine.
Do you believe in devils and exorcisms?
I think it's undeniable that every religion that exists has some sort of exorcism in it, and the more I read about it -- I don't know that I have an answer, but I really feel like it's whatever you think it is; it's kind of a testament to the human psyche, really.
You're from Brazil. Are there any vegetarians there? I don't think so.
(Laughs) My mother and I are the only ones. I'm sure there are. My mom's been a vegetarian for 10 years and still every time we go home they're like, "Oh you're still doing that thing?" Like they hope it's a phase that she'll grow out of.
Do you hope to become more famous than Gisele Bundchen? She's the most famous Brazilian celebrity.
I should be so lucky! I love her, actually. I'm a fan.
You're also a soccer fan. Would you cry if Brazil lost in the finals at the World Cup?
I did cry in the 1998 World Cup when we lost to France. Yeah, absolutely -- it's something that is the heart of the country. Every time there's a game on, everybody stops. It's the heart and soul of the country. I get really into it and so does my whole family.
Brazilian fans are the best.
Yeah, they're always singing and dancing.
Maybe they can give Romanians a few lessons?
Maybe!