For ‘Snowpiercer’ cast, it’s all about craft
From left: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Go A-sung and Song Kang-ho star in the film “Snowpiercer,” which opens Thursday. [REUTERS/NEWS1]
Although all five were present at the press conference yesterday, it was clear to see that all eyes were on the willowy Swinton, who Bong referred to as “an elf.”
“I’ve been waiting to come here with this film since I met Director Bong,” said Swinton, remembering the time in Cannes, two years ago, when the two first crossed paths.
Although Swinton said that she met Bong at a time when she vowed to never make a film, “a decision I make after every film,” she told Bong that there was one condition to her participation: “I wanted to have fun.”
“I always had a fantasy playing a character with a nose like this,” she said, pushing up on her nostrils.
Describing her collaboration with Bong as “not more sophisticated than a 6-year-old playing dress up,” the 52-year-old British actress said that it was “his person” that drew her to the project.
She suggested that although visibly female, her character Mason is open to interpretation.
“The subordinates call Mason, ‘Sir.’ Who’s to say Mason is female? I’m not saying that.”
Upon first seeing Swinton on set in Europe, Song said he had a moment where he stared at her walking toward him and all he could think was, “That is an actor.”
Meanwhile, the youngest member Go professed that she enjoyed gazing into her co-star - famed for playing Captain America - Evans’s “deep” eyes.
And for his part, the American heartthrob said that he loved getting away from Hollywood for a while.
“It was so refreshing to work with artists outside of America. Even if you are talented, unfortunately they don’t make it on our radar,” said Evans, while emphasizing that he learnt a lot from watching actors who approached the craft differently from him.
But when all’s said and done, Swinton set the record straight.
“It sounds a little strange to hear them (Korean actors) speak about working with such an international cast. For us, we felt like we were working with the international stars.”
And as for what she thought of Bong, she said the he was a “person at the pinnacle of world cinema.”
The film opens Thursday.
BY CARLA SUNWOO [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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