QSTNS

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QSTNS is a short form Q&A project where people answer questions. It is a document of right now and a glimpse into the person in the photo. Olli Haaskivi is an actor, lover of film, and champion of fellow actors. You can see his work in everything from HBO’s Winning Time to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

See the full interview with the layout here. Read the full transcript below :)

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Transcript :

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OLLI Haaskivi

{QSTNS}

JAN.26

Q : WHO ARE YOU TODAY ? 

A : A friend of mine once said I was the most pessimistic optimist she’d ever met and I think some version of that assessment is true today and also every other day. 

There’s an awful lot to be downright miserable about at this juncture in human history but as I write this blurb three weeks into a brand new year, I’m really trying to keep some small but mighty flame of hope alive. 

I’ve had enough misery the past few years -- personally / professionally / globally -- I’m really feeling the need to sprint fast in the opposite direction, even (or perhaps especially) in the face of seemingly never ending evidence to the contrary.

Q : What Are You Excited About ? 

A : A great friend wrote to me the other day to tell me that he’d be in New York City for much of the summer and that news alone is enough to keep me going. There are also a couple work related possibilities that I’m extremely excited about and I’m not ultimately that superstitious but I still don’t want to jinx anything by being too specific here. And finally I want to add that I’m extremely excited about Zohran Mamdani and the people of Minneapolis. 

Q : What Do You Do for Fun ? 

A : New York City makes fun pretty easy. I love a museum // I love a long walk in a park (or a long walk pretty much anywhere in the city, really) // I love seeing an old film on the big screen at one of our many wonderful rep houses... 

I particularly love going to Elbow Bread on Ludlow and sneaking one of their perfect pastries into the Metrograph with me. Solo or with a friend, that’s a pretty ideal 

afternoon for me.

Q : Something Underrated ?

A : My Nivea lip balm is really helping me out this winter, I have one in the pocket of just about every jacket I own. I’d also love to give quick shout outs to : 

long distance train travel // 

ringing someone up just to say hi // 

David Fincher’s 2007 masterpiece Zodiac.

Q : Something Overrated ? 

A : I’m awfully tempted to just write a list of names... 

Q : Unsolicited Advice ? 

A : I can’t remember if a teacher once said to me “Enjoy yourself, it’s lighter than you think” or “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think” but honestly both iterations make an important point. I also try to keep close that awesome line from The Philadelphia Story : 

“The time to make up your mind about people is never.” 

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