My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it What character do you play in To Rome with Love? My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it. She is convinced she is helping people, and is really necessary for society. How would you describe the film? To Rome with Love is described as “a story about a number of people in Italy, some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors, and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into. How was it working with Woody Allen again? How did he approach you with the film? It was easier this time because I knew Woody, so I wasn’t so nervous because of all the stories you hear about him. He is peculiar and unique and different, but it is really a blessing to spend time with him, He is one of the funniest people in the world. Everyday he does something that surprises you, and that you will remember forever. What do you have to say of him as a director? Allen’s known for only giving his actors the basic info on the story and then just letting them run with it. He gives all this freedom, which is very liberating. He lets actors add their own flavour to the character. As I said, he is peculiar; you just ask him something and expect some answers that you could never think of. Mostly he avoids talking to his actors on the sets. How would you compare this outing with your earlier Vicky Cristina Barcelona? Maria Elena is a mad character more often seen in easy dresses, bare foot and fringed huge bags, more of a bohemian style. She is a restless character and has to create some chaos wherever she is. Whereas Anna is a well dressed, tucked in from head to toe, who thinks she is helping the society through prostitution. Anna is street smart, whereas Maria was mad and innocent. How do you normally approach your characters? I read my character with a neutral mind and try to think and visualise how the character could be better portrayed. What are the kind of scripts that catch your attention almost immediately? Scripts that have some meat or a role that convinces me. Would you say Hollywood films are now gaining precedence over European cinema comprising, French, Spanish, Italian, among others? And if it is, is it co-opting the local stories? I guess both are going hand in hand. English speaking people have now gone beyond Hollywood and the French, Spanish, Italians are taking interest in Hollywood. Is it difficult traversing Europe and America juggling your professional assignments? No,I always did one thing at a time and now I have different priorities so now may be just one or two movies a year will reduce the amount of travelling. What’s coming up next? My upcoming films are The Counselor (2013), I’m So Excited (2013), Twice Born (2012) are going to be released. Have you worked in any of Hollywood’s magnificent animation films? What is your opinion of them? I have not yet worked in magnificent animation films but am looking forward to it, if I get an opportunity. Well, it’s really fun working in such projects, as maximum people like animated films especially children. It’s getting recognition because it’s entertainment for whole family so it’s really wonderful to be associated with it. Source: Screen India
