Natalie Portman is the heroine in her
new movie "Jane Got a Gun," the feminist western directed by Gavin
O'Connor. "Jane Got a Gun" centers on Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman),
who has built a new life with her husband Bill "Ham" Hammond (Noah
Emmerich) after being tormented by the ultra-violent Bishop Boys outlaw gang.
She
finds herself in the gang’s cross-hairs once again when Ham stumbles home
riddled with bullets after dueling with the Boys and their relentless
mastermind Colin (Ewan McGregor). With the vengeful crew hot on Ham's trail,
Jane has nowhere to turn but to her former fiancé Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton) for
help in defending her family against certain destruction. Haunted by old
memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heart-stopping battle for
survival.
Based in France, wife of the choreographer Benjamin Millepied, director of dance at the Paris Opera, the American star of 34 years, actress, director, welcomes the decision of the Academy Awards to give more space to blacks and women.
The
Academy Awards has announced its reform in full debate on diversity, in
particular the lack of black actors. What do you think?
This lack of
diversity is a problem: it is urgent that the movie industry is in grasp. There
are not enough movies that deal with women's issues and give voice to
minorities. The establishment does not recognize their place or their work. I
am delighted that this issue comes to the table and the Academy Awards begins
to move the lines.
Have
you been a victim of sexism in Hollywood?
My experience
is not worse than the other. I am a white actress, I therefore occupies a more
privileged position than others, I do not have to complain about, but yes, I've
already been a victim of sexism. The American film industry is very unfair to
women and minorities, to be behind the camera, and also in terms of wages.
"Jane
Got a Gun" is a solid swing woman portrait. He is a character that you
defend tooth and nail?
I like his strong character, but I also like the fact
that she lives a love story in the American Wild West. Madness and love are
well housed here in this Wild West where anything can happen. Jane's army, but
it is not as violent as that, she fights to survive, it must draw from itself
the personal resources to fight. I have read many stories about the Wild West
to prepare my character, I found very difficult lives unstable.
You
feel a feminist?
Oh yes, definitely.
What
have you in common with Jane swinging the film?
I have in common with my character to have had to fight a
lot to be able to produce this independent film. It's not a bad thing to have
to fight, but in fact the United States, as full of aspects, things always turn
out differently for women than for men. It's harder for them.
What
is your favorite western women?
There are many, all excellent. Among the most recent,
"The Homesman" Tommy Lee Jones with Hillary Swank, or "The Eight
Bastards" Quentin Tarantino starring Jennifer Jason Leigh. I have yet to
see but everyone says she is amazing. And then there's "Jane Got a Gun"
now.
"Jane Got a Gun" is
a good story. Yet the film has been slow to happen. What happened?
There was a change of director in full production. The
film was to be directed by Lynne Ramsay Scottish, but she left just before the
first day of shooting. I think that was a first in the history of cinema, this
departure on the eve of views taken. We had the chance to work again with Gavin
O'Connor, who had his own vision of history and allowed us to continue more
calmly. After the first difficult time, everyone has deployed all his energy
and passion for the film.
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