- Title: USA: George Clooney attends New York premiere of "The Ides of March"
- Date: 6th October 2011
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 05, 2011) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) ACTOR GEORGE CLOONEY POSING FOR PICTURES ON THE RED CARPET WIDE SHOT OF RED CARPET CLOONEY SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR, SAYING: "I don't know cause it's not like your classic thriller because people aren't running for their lives, and it's not really a political movie because politics are sort of the backseat story. It's really a morality tale and that seems to make sense to me, I seem to enjoy kind of having conversations about morality tales. When we were first talking about doing this movie before the play existed, we were thinking about putting it in the financial district in some way or another, which has plenty of issues with morality tales as you know."
- Embargoed: 21st October 2011 13:00
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- Location: Usa, Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA5VGGTII4N83325LQLTBZLCZ0D
- Story Text: George Clooney continues to play around with politics in the new film "The Ides of March."
Clooney, a key figure in the world of politics, served as co-writer, director and actor in the film which he described as a story of ethics.
"It's really a morality tale and that seems to make sense to me, I seem to enjoy kind of having conversations about morality tales. When we were first talking about doing this movie before the play existed, we were thinking about putting it in the financial district in some way or another, which has plenty of issues with morality tales as you know," Clooney told Reuters.
In the movie Clooney plays a presidential candidate in the middle of a tough primary contest in Ohio. Tensions rise as a political scandal involving members of his campaign team threaten to ruin his chances of becoming President.
Clooney added the title of director to his name in 2002 and over the past nine years has become someone many Hollywood actors are scrambling to work with.
"It wasn't the script it was Mr. Clooney and Phil Hoffman and Ryan and getting to be directed by him. But certainly yes, the script is very strong, but the other factors were stronger for me in this particular case," explained Oscar winning actress Marisa Tomei.
Tomei went on to explain that Clooney's advantage as a director comes from his acting background.
"He has through all his years as an actor - he kind of knows a really good rhythm and he keeps a tight set - he knows what really helps you give the best performance," explained Tomei, who plays a political journalist in the film.
On the red carpet actress Evan Rachel Wood was quick to give Clooney's directing skills high marks.
"He's a 10 man, a 10. This is one of the most fun experiences I've ever had, so he's great," said Wood, who plays a campaign intern in the movie.
And Clooney wasn't shy about grading himself.
"I got to say, he was probably the best I'd ever seen - the best I've ever worked with," he joked.
"The one thing I like to do is keep it light and fun and it was light and fun. I don't know whether, I don't know what their reaction to it was - we seemed to have a good time, I hope we get a chance to work together again soon, so, if that works out then good," added Clooney.
And while Clooney enjoys making films with a political backdrop, the actor said that his real-life will never imitate art.
"I have the great advantage of being able to get access to people to talk about very specific issues like the Sudan or Darfur, or things like that. And that's as close as I need to get to politics. I'm not a policy maker and I can just help bring attention to a cause that could use it and that's ok, I'm pretty good at that, so I don't mind doing that," said Clooney.
With the race for the presidency in the U.S. beginning to heat up Clooney, a proud Democrat, said he hopes Obama is able to maintain office and said that no matter how hard it gets for him he will remain a loyal supporter.
"You don't bail out because things get tough. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life - it gets a little tough and everybody starts running for the hills, that's crazy," said Clooney.
"The Ides of March" opens nationwide on October 7. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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