Marco Pigossi Opens Up About the 'Beautiful, Intense' Experience of Being Directed by His Husband inHigh Tide(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Marco Pigossi and Marco Calvani.Photo:Emma McIntyre/Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty

Brazilian heartthrobMarco Pigossiis making waves in his latest film,High Tide— an emotionally charged story of heartbreak, displacement and self-discovery.

“This film is really personal for me,”Pigossi, 35, tells PEOPLE. “It’s about the universal need to belong — whether to someone, a place, or even yourself. Lorenzo’s journey reflects what a lot of queer people go through, but it’s also something everyone can relate to.”

To channel the raw emotion his character demands, theGen Vactor took a unique approach to preparation. “I went off the grid for ten days in Idyllwild — no phone, no computer, just me in the silence. It was a way to connect with the solitude Lorenzo feels, navigating an unfamiliar world.”

Marco Pigossi.Manoli Figetakis/Getty

Manoli Figetakis/Getty

“I didn’t have to stress about perfect English. In fact, I embraced moments of broken English to reflect Lorenzo’s struggle to communicate — adding to the feeling of not belonging.”

The film’s setting in Provincetown MA, known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community, was also pivotal. “There’s something magical about Provincetown. It’s one of the few places where being queer feels like the norm. That sense of belonging — finding a place where you don’t feel ‘othered’ — is so powerful.”

Pigossi reflects on howHigh Tideresonates beyond the LGBTQ+ lens. “There are so many people like Lorenzo — people who leave everything behind just to be accepted. I hope this film sparks empathy, not only for queer individuals or immigrants but for anyone who feels marginalized or excluded.”

With the film garnering early praise since its premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in March, Pigossi admits the journey was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. “There was pressure — this was my first lead role in the U.S., and it was Marco’s directorial debut. But that kind of pressure keeps you alive as an actor. We gave it everything, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we created together.”

When asked what it was like to act alongside Oscar winnerMarisa Tomeiin the film, Pigossi can’t help but grin. “She’s amazing. Every take, she brings something unexpected — so fresh, so alive. It was like a dance, constantly reacting to her brilliance. Working with her was a dream.”

As Pigossi reflects on the film’s impact, he expresses his gratitude. “I’m so happy with how people are responding to it. In the end, that’s what we do as artists — make people feel something. And if we’ve done that, then we’ve succeeded.”

High Tideis now playing in select theaters.

source: people.com