UK: Celebrity culture not a new concept, say stars Keira Knightley and Dominic Cooper at premiere of "The Duchess"

Record ID: 220559

  • Title: UK: Celebrity culture not a new concept, say stars Keira Knightley and Dominic Cooper at premiere of "The Duchess"
  • Date: 4th September 2008
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 3, 2008) (REUTERS) KNIGHTLEY AND COOPER LOOKING AND SMILING AT EACH OTHER ON RED CARPET AS THEY ARE BEING INTERVIEWED PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) DOMINIC COOPER, SAYING: "I think it's incredibly interesting the fact that it (celebrity culture) existed then I thought it was a very new concept. It's the way we all as human beings in public society are desperate for an iconic figure that we can look up to and be influenced by. I think it's incredible that it happened then and it happens now. The paparazzi then drew sketches of people they were fascinated by. I thought it was really interesting." DIRECTOR SAUL DIBB BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUL DIBB, DIRECTOR, SAYING: "The challenge of any film is just getting great performances and making the story work and delivering, I think of this, the emotional power to an audience who might at first seem distanced from people 200 years ago who are fabulously wealthy and incredibly beautiful. That's what I think the job of the film is."
  • Embargoed: 19th September 2008 13:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVA569VFM25S8EW7O4DYF0QXFWSE
  • Story Text: "The Duchess", starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper, tells the true story of the beautiful Duchess of Devonshire who despite being a fashion icon and a celebrity darling was duty-bound to hide a wealth of secrets.
    Trendsetter and media darling -- English period piece "The Duchess" draws parallels between its central character Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, and the real-life actress portraying her, Keira Knightley.
    The 24-year-old, along with fellow actors Dominic Cooper and Ralph Fiennes attended the world premiere in London on Wednesday (September 3).

    "The Duchess" is a lavish melodrama of aristocratic foolishness and betrayal and is designed around the colourful though not always happy life of an 18th century socialite.
    Knightley plays Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, a feminist eons before the word was invented. she established a salon devoted to the artists and politicos of her day and even campaigned for Whig party candidates, despite not having the vote herself.
    Knightley said she fell in love with the character itself and not its similarities to her own life.

    "I don't look at characters that are autobiographical so I wasn't looking for any links with myself. I just thought she was a fascinating character. Diving into that particular point in history was really fascinating that you've got this person that was this enormous celebrity and I thought celebrity culture was a modern phenomenon and this fashion icon and this incredibly vulnerable and lonely woman at the same time so I was looking at a really fascinating woman," she said.
    As the face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume and frequently listed on top fashion lists, Knightley transcends the usual actor-media promotional relationship to that of a superstar. Yet she says she's uninterested in what the press say about her and her primary job is that of an actress.

    "I mean I'm fascinated by people who are really wonderful at their jobs. I love films so I love watching fantastic actors on screen or stage. I love listening to wonderful music. As far as what people do in their personal life I think that's nobody's business," she said.
    Dominic Cooper, who recently starred in "Mamma Mia!" plays the handsome politician Charles Gray and begins a passionate affair with Georgiana. The young actor told Reuters Television that people have always and will always be fascinated by people with wealth, beauty and power.

    "I think it's incredibly interesting the fact that it (celebrity culture) existed then I thought it was a very new concept. It's the way we all as human beings in public society are desperate for an iconic figure that we can look up to and be influenced by. I think it's incredible that it happened then and it happens now. The paparazzi then drew sketches of people they were fascinated by. I thought it was really interesting," he said.
    Director Saul Dibb's last film was the urban drama "Bullet Boy" about troubles afflicting inner-city youth in London's notorious south London. He said while the period piece may be a departure from his modern-day dramas, essentially the goal of any film was its connection to the viewer.

    "The challenge of any film is just getting great performances and making the story work and delivering, I think of this, the emotional power to an audience who might at first seem distanced from people 200 years ago who are fabulously wealthy and incredibly beautiful. That's what I think the job of the film is," said Dibb.
    Ralph Fiennes plays the cold, philandering and powerful Duke of Devonshire who marries Georgiana with the sole intention of producing a male heir.

    "When I read the book, I liked the script and I liked the character but when I read the book, I felt there was so much more, I attempt to bring to the part, I think it's an interesting story, an interesting time in English history. I think she's fascinating, I think Keira's fantastic as Georgina," said Fiennes.

    "The Duchess" opens on Friday (September 5) in the UK and premieres Sunday (September 7) at the Toronto International Film Festival before its Los Angeles and New York bows on September 19.
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