Sienna Miller © FDC / C. Duchene
INTERVIEW – Sienna Miller “I would love to play in a period piece”
Sienna Miller is a multi-faceted personality. Born in United States, but living in England, she hails from the fashion world. In recent years, she has established herself as a theatre and film actress, particularly in Bennett Miller‘s Foxcatcher, presented in Competition at Cannes in 2014 and more recently in American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood. Today, it is in her capacity as a member of the Feature Film Jury of the 68th Festival that we welcome her…
Sienna Miller © FDC / C. Duchene
How has your experience been as member of the Jury so far?
I’m loving it! The best thing about it is sitting down and watching all these films and then discussing them with a group of people. You learn a lot and see things from different perspectives. It’s hugely enjoyable.
How do you form your opinion?
I don’t read any reviews and I try not to research the films in any detail. I just turn up and try to experience each film in a positive way. I try to find the good sides of each film and avoid focusing on the negative aspects. It seems we’re all pretty much on the same page – we’re here to celebrate what these people have done. Making a film is a huge achievement in itself, and having a film in Competition at Cannes is extraordinary. So anybody who’s here is already a winner.
Did you grow up with the Festival de Cannes?
Of course! It is the most famous film festival in the world, and I can’t believe I’ve never been here before. But, there are so many films I’d want to watch if they had the Festival de Cannes logo on them. It’s a real icon in the film world and this festival is a very important part of our industry.
Who are your idols?
Oh my god there are so many… Talking about filmmakers? The Coen Brothers! I think I’m completely in awe of the rest of the Jury, I don’t know, it’s really hard to come up with a list because there are so many talented people that I admire. I am also really enjoying learning about new filmmakers, first time directors and their extraordinary work.
What would be your dream role?
I would love to do something like a period piece maybe and explore another era! But I don’t know exactly. I just played Sally Bowles in Cabaret and that was a dream role… But I don’t really work like that, I try to not think too much about it all, but I know the filmmakers that I want to work with.
In Foxcatcher and American Sniper, you both played a wife and a mother.
Unfortunately, a lot of roles for women are wives and mothers! You hit thirty and that’s what people of my age do if they are married and have kids. I would like to be versatile and not only play wives and mothers but at the same time, if Clint Eastwood calls you: you do it, if Bennett Miller calls you: you do it! I think these parts give you both strength and vulnerability, holding the family together when the husband is off doing whatever he’s doing. I’m not ashamed of it.
Interview by Hannah Benayoun
