- Title: USA/VARIOUS: GILLIAN ANDERSON STARS IN NEW FILM "THE HOUSE OF MIRTH".
- Date: 5th January 2001
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 03, 2000) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDERSON SAYING "There are parallels. The stakes back then were so much higher than they are today, just in terms of, you know, women couldn't work back then and if they did they were on the lowest rung of the social ladder. And, it was just very, very difficult back then. But, you
- Embargoed: 20th January 2001 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND VARIOUS FILM
- Country: USA
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA8MAQ6MTOMTG7BMI78FLYD6W4X
- Story Text: Eight years after hitting the big time as FBI agent Dana Scully on the hit series "The X-Files" actress Gillian Anderson is hoping to launch herself as a big screen leading lady in "The House of Mirth."
Based on the Edith Wharton novel of the same name, "Mirth"
is a period piece taking a hard look at the role of women in society.
Anderson plays Lily Bart, a husband-hunting socialite in turn-of-the-century New York City.
Lily's life is turned upside down when her philandering ways cost her an inheritance, she is cast out of respectable society and forced to earn her own way.
The role is a huge leap from the no-nonsense FBI agent she plays on television. A move Anderson admits was completely intentional.
"Any time I'm thinking about doing a movie outside of the show ("The X-Files"), I want to run as far away from the character as possible," said Anderson. "I think that choosing a period piece period is hopefully going to be a departure and hopefully more than just putting on big dresses and big hats and having big hair, you know?"
Adapting Wharton (1862-1937) for the screen is writer/director Terence Davies ("Distant Voices, Still Lives", "The Neon Bible"). Anderson had nothing but kind words for his abilities as both a scribe and helmer.
"It's an internal piece. A lot of it takes place in the main character's mind: her perceptions on the world. on the people around her, on herself. And, so that's a difficult task for a writer to be able to translate that into a screenplay.
And, I think that Terrence did an amazing job with it. I think that the whole feel of the novel and the mood of the novel is definitely in the screenplay."
While set some 100 years ago, Anderson hopes the film's message will not be lost on filmgoers. The story, about a woman's rightful place in society, is still the topic of much debate today says Anderson.
" I think one of the primary through lines for this movie is the moral dilemma. You know? Trying to make the right moves in life. Trying to make the right decisions in life. And, be a good person. And, do the right thing. And, I think that in different ways we all struggle with that today."
"House of Mirth" is currently on screens across North America. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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