GERMANY: British actress Tilda Swinton and French director Erick Zonca's film "Julia" is said by some to be a favourite at this years' Berlin film festival

Record ID: 219342

  • Title: GERMANY: British actress Tilda Swinton and French director Erick Zonca's film "Julia" is said by some to be a favourite at this years' Berlin film festival
  • Date: 13th February 2008
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 08, 2008) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) TILDA SWINTON, ACTRESS IN "JULIA", SAYING: "I think just both Erick Zonca and I were very clear that it's about this person and this person choses alcohol and then everything comes of that. The plot, the trajectory of the story, all the decisions she makes come out of that. So in a way one just has to find that root and get that motor started (makes engine noises)."
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2008 12:00
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  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVACYKOVADKQBUAM52U0X0JW5HJP
  • Story Text: British actress Tilda Swinton and French director Erick Zonca introduced their competition movie "Julia" on saturday (February 09) at this years' Berlin film festival. The movie, in which Swinton portraits an alcoholic and notorious liar, is said by some to be a first favourite at this years competition.
    On the Red Carpet, Zoncka jokingly already proclaimed himself the winner: "We are the winner", he told Reuters. "I wouldn't have come all the way from France to Berlin if I was not the winner." Swinton, who is nominated for an Oscar, seemed to be little impressed by the Academy's choice: "I hear it's important for some people", she said. "So I am pleased that they are pleased."
    Her character "Julia" is in her 40s and an alcoholic. She is manipulative, unreliable and a notorious liar - but in spite of everything else, she is still an imposing character. In between the many vodkas and many more or less unwanted sexual encounters she manages to scrape together a living. When opportunity arises in the shape of schizophrenic Elena wanting to kidnap her own son, played by 11year old Aidan Gould, Julia wants in and a piece of the cake. But nothing goes as planned and she is forced to go on the run. The thrilling road movie takes Julia and little Tom all the way down to Mexico.
    "I think just both Erick Zonca and I were very clear that it's about this person and this person chooses alcohol and then everything comes of that," Swinton told Reuters about her character. "The plot, the trajectory of the story, all the decisions she makes come out of that. So in a way one just has to find that root and get that motor started."
    Zoncka said when planning "Julia", he always had Swinton in mind for the role: "So this magnifique woman just starts falling apart because of alcohol. We thought of Tilda right away because of the energy she brings. I needed a lot of energy in the character."
    Swinton is tipped to be one of the favourites for the Silver Bear for Best Actress.
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