"Take Five" with Actor Patrick Biela

Welcome back to another edition of “Take Five”! Today, we’re featuring some great insights from actor and friend Patrick Biela. Patrick and I first met in 2023 while filming an apocalyptic short film, where we played half-siblings—emphasis on half because, well, we look nothing alike 😂. We’ve stayed friends ever since.

Patrick is currently studying filmmaking in Ireland and will soon appear as the main character in Mendez Co.’s upcoming commercial (stay tuned for that!). He can also be seen in a supporting role in the feature film "American Wages". Here’s what Patrick had to say in response to the Take Five questions:

1. What’s a film (or performance) that changed the way you think about storytelling?

Film: Lawrence of Arabia. I got to watch it in a cinema and it was an incredible experience. The breadth and depth of the story showed me that good films can convey so much meaning and so many interpretations.

For performance, I’d have to say Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the National Theatre version of Fleabag. I love how she effortlessly keeps your focus, creates vivid imagery and swaps between characters, all whilst being incredibly nuanced and funny.

2. Is there a film or project you worked on that you wish more people had seen?

A short little FAMU film called Claspers! It was about a cult member and how he finds independence away from the narcissistic leader. The ending was left quite vague too, so you don’t know if he’s going to act on his newly found independence and leave, or retreat into the “safety” of the community and give up.

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Patrick on the set of MZC's latest commercial & "American Wages".

3. If you could swap roles with someone on set for a day, who would it be and why?

Focus Puller! An oddly specific job that always intrigued me. I love those little monitors they have on set, and the focus pulling device reminds me of a video game controller.

4. What’s your guilty pleasure movie or performance that you’ll defend to the grave?

I  unfortunately love corny romcoms… ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ and ‘Hitch’ will always have a place in my heart.

5. If someone made a biopic about you, what’s the one scene that absolutely has to be in it?

At least one scene of me driving my little Miata late at night around Prague, whilst some deeply profound voice-over gives exposition.

Editor's note: Patrick actually loves his car so much that he has a dedicated instagram page for it — check it out 😄

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Patrick Biela shot by Kristyna Poliček (2025)

Thank you, Patrick, for your time and kindness!

I hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I did! Be sure to sign up for our MZC Inner Circle here to get updates on more interviews coming soon!

See more of Patrick's work here.

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