The 67th BERLINALE
Berlin – There is a well known term – "The Scully effect." It's referred to the increase in the number of young women who have been dedicated themselves to science, (FBI related scientific work in the US, too), modeled by special agent Dana Scully. She is imaginary, widely popular television and movie character from "The X-Files," portrayed by a tiny woman – Gillian Anderson.
Berlin – There is a well known term – "The Scully effect." It's referred to the increase in the number of young women who have been dedicated themselves to science, (FBI related scientific work in the US, too), modeled by special agent Dana Scully. She is imaginary, widely popular television and movie character from "The X-Files," portrayed by a tiny woman – Gillian Anderson.
Scully permanently "painted" the life and career of the actress born (1968) and educated in Chicago, Illinois, who then moved to London, where she has been living and working as a single mother of three. Her projects include writing novels, playing in theaters, movies and TV shows, activism and humanitarian work, such as the one in "The Neurofibromatosis Network" (the disease that caused her brother's Aaron death), as well as the organization aimed at achieving sustainable education in South Africa.
Despite very good and memorable roles played after "The X-Files," she is still not able to get rid of Scully's shadow. Her great performance is being noticeable during the world premiere of the historical movie called "Viceroy's House," from the British director of Indian origin Gurindur Cade, in which Anderson very convincingly revived the character of Edwina Cynthia Annette Mountbatten, the Duchess of Burma, socialist and a fighter for workers' rights. She was the wife of the British Duke Louis Mountbatten, the king's cousin and the last royal governor in India. This subcontinent, as part of the former British colonial empire, declared independence in 1947, and divided itself into two countries: India and Pakistan. After the event, the violence and massacres led to the death of about two hundred thousand people.
On occasion, Gillian Anderson speaks exclusively for "Politika" on challenges of playing historical character, the price of being popular, Brexit that's causing sudden concern to her and her family...
What was it like to be connected with the historical figure?
It was easy because her character was very likeable woman. I was surprised how much respect she woke up in me when I started reading her biography, details of her early life, her participation in the war and activism, and later her role in the Partition of India, and that's how I found out more about her. It's always good when you fall in love with a character who you have to play. It really helps you to be convincing and do your job just right. As Forest Whitaker, who played the role of Idi Amin (Gillian was his partner in "The Last King of Scotland"), and believed that justice was the motivation for his actions. Ha, ha!
How much did you even know about the history and events that led to the separation of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan prior to this role?
Not much, really. Most things were completely new educational lessons for me. I think that I didn't even know that the UK ruled in India for three hundred years over one hundred million people who had been in the hands of politicians. All all things didn't exist in my education because we did not learn about them in school. All these new findings, the fact that a small number of white people ruled over millions of people in India made a great impact on me.
Dana Scully is following her everywhere
No matter what you've done and are you're doing, people still identify you with Dana Scully. Are you bothered with it?
Bothered or not, that's the way it is. I'm used to it.
Does it get on your nerves?
Oh, don't ask! It used to a lot, especially during the first period after the end of the series. I was struggling a lot to separate identification with Dana Scully. It was very frustrating, and it reflected on my job, because there weren't many directors who wanted to give a role to "Dana Scully". Fortunately, I have a talent for acting. I succeeded in pushing her strongly out of myself and not to be mad at her existence. I can still play her, without feeling any pain.
Many actors would be happy if their television roles became phenomena and had such a powerful effect?
This is true, but it may, for example, refer to Judi Dench or British actors in general, where, due to popular television roles you won't have the problem to find your next job. It's different in America. Television roles have been long considered as second-rate. Things are different now. There are more and more important television series that involve first-rate actors. You see that even here at the Berlin Film Festival there is a whole program where people can see new television series.
Do people act surprised when they see you on the street?
I am a constant surprise! Ha-ha! There are days when no one recognizes me. I can calmly walk down the street, and buy what I need at the store. And there are days when literally every other person reacts. I don't know why, whether it's my hairstyle, makeup or something that I wore, but it feels like for one day I am Gillian Anderson, and the another one it's Dana Scully or a movie character.
This is true, but it may, for example, refer to Judi Dench or British actors in general, where, due to popular television roles you won't have the problem to find your next job. It's different in America. Television roles have been long considered as second-rate. Things are different now. There are more and more important television series that involve first-rate actors. You see that even here at the Berlin Film Festival there is a whole program where people can see new television series.
Do people act surprised when they see you on the street?
I am a constant surprise! Ha-ha! There are days when no one recognizes me. I can calmly walk down the street, and buy what I need at the store. And there are days when literally every other person reacts. I don't know why, whether it's my hairstyle, makeup or something that I wore, but it feels like for one day I am Gillian Anderson, and the another one it's Dana Scully or a movie character.
What was the biggest challenge when it comes to the character of Edwina Mountbatten?
Technically, that would be the accent which I had to use. Because she used to talk with such a posh accent so it took me a while to maintain the ability of wrapping my lips in order to achieve her spontaneous ability to speak. Mother of one of the producers congratulated me after the premiere and said: "Good concentration!" And it was really like that – it took me a lot of concentration in order to avoid mistakes.
You also achieved to remind us physically of Lady Edwina?
That was the second challenge. Her hips were a bit dislocated and somehow pushed her entire body forwards, and that was the reason her back was curved and shoulders seemed stiff. It was quite important for me to understand how a person like like here can move and walk. Edwina was pretty active woman, and also was a housewife of such an enormous royal palace with a lot of stairs. On top of that, she was taller than me, and I've noticed that on some archived videos. It was exciting to accomplish all of it, but also to represent her physical characteristics in a credible way. Long after the end of shooting I caught myself walking like her with my hips moving forwards. It took me some time to return back to normal.
This woman was doing a lot in her efforts to prevent conflicts between Muslim and Hindu population?
Yes. She didn't sleep, constantly being in the field, traveling in conflicting areas, making peace between people, constantly talking about the need for peaceful cohabitation, compromises, and against discrimination. She was doing a lot. She was making contacts with Nehru, Gandhi, the Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah...
Some sources claim that she was the mistress of Nehru, but that part was left out?
Yes, I've read it too, but I don't know the truth. Because, back then many people in Britain and India were criticizing her closeness with Indian nation and the changes she was doing after her arrival to India, so that might be the reason for gossiping about her relationship with Nehru.
Edwina was also very influential, as the real proof that behind every successful man there is a woman?
Yes, but there is also a saying that wives of powerful men or geniuses have gone crazy! It's so-so in real life. There are examples that some of the US Presidents' wives were very powerful and influential First Ladies.
As an American living in United Kingdom do you understand or share the local fascination with monarchy that still exists?
Hm. I have respect for the challenges of neutrality which is also the part of the monarchy. An importance of having stable head of state and what happens when you don't have one is another thing that has been discussed a lot. If you observe what's happening nowadays during all of this crucial moments for Great Britain in terms of Brexit, when there are more and more weaknesses, the existence of the crown represents some kind of basic security and base of our mental health.
Are you personally hurt by Brexit?
The irony is that my daughter has a German passport because her father is in Germany. She is still living and educating in Britain and now there's the question what does it all mean and what will happen with her. That's something what immediately makes an influence on her life, and something that concerns us all. What will be the final result of Brexit – nobody knows, at least for now, but it brought sudden uncertainty with a dose of anxiety to my family, and that's the fact.
It seems that you have been very busy in the last three years - you were playing in movies, TV shows, you wrote a novel, and there also is your charity work?
Yes, I have no time to stay at home. Sometimes I think I should slow down, and create a space that would make me bound to the ground, but there are constant challenges and new choices.
What is your bigger priority, acting or activism?
My priorities are still my children. I do everything else in shifts. Sometimes it's acting, sometimes writing, and sometimes charity work and activism.
When you write, day or night, do you need to be in a quiet place?
I definitely need to be in a quiet room. Sometimes, when I'm at one of those shootings with long breaks, I am able to write something in my trailer. Sometimes I do it on a plane, because I spend a lot of time there.
Will you remember anything special from the premiere?
Technically, that would be the accent which I had to use. Because she used to talk with such a posh accent so it took me a while to maintain the ability of wrapping my lips in order to achieve her spontaneous ability to speak. Mother of one of the producers congratulated me after the premiere and said: "Good concentration!" And it was really like that – it took me a lot of concentration in order to avoid mistakes.
You also achieved to remind us physically of Lady Edwina?
That was the second challenge. Her hips were a bit dislocated and somehow pushed her entire body forwards, and that was the reason her back was curved and shoulders seemed stiff. It was quite important for me to understand how a person like like here can move and walk. Edwina was pretty active woman, and also was a housewife of such an enormous royal palace with a lot of stairs. On top of that, she was taller than me, and I've noticed that on some archived videos. It was exciting to accomplish all of it, but also to represent her physical characteristics in a credible way. Long after the end of shooting I caught myself walking like her with my hips moving forwards. It took me some time to return back to normal.
This woman was doing a lot in her efforts to prevent conflicts between Muslim and Hindu population?
Yes. She didn't sleep, constantly being in the field, traveling in conflicting areas, making peace between people, constantly talking about the need for peaceful cohabitation, compromises, and against discrimination. She was doing a lot. She was making contacts with Nehru, Gandhi, the Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah...
Some sources claim that she was the mistress of Nehru, but that part was left out?
Yes, I've read it too, but I don't know the truth. Because, back then many people in Britain and India were criticizing her closeness with Indian nation and the changes she was doing after her arrival to India, so that might be the reason for gossiping about her relationship with Nehru.
Edwina was also very influential, as the real proof that behind every successful man there is a woman?
Yes, but there is also a saying that wives of powerful men or geniuses have gone crazy! It's so-so in real life. There are examples that some of the US Presidents' wives were very powerful and influential First Ladies.
As an American living in United Kingdom do you understand or share the local fascination with monarchy that still exists?
Hm. I have respect for the challenges of neutrality which is also the part of the monarchy. An importance of having stable head of state and what happens when you don't have one is another thing that has been discussed a lot. If you observe what's happening nowadays during all of this crucial moments for Great Britain in terms of Brexit, when there are more and more weaknesses, the existence of the crown represents some kind of basic security and base of our mental health.
Are you personally hurt by Brexit?
The irony is that my daughter has a German passport because her father is in Germany. She is still living and educating in Britain and now there's the question what does it all mean and what will happen with her. That's something what immediately makes an influence on her life, and something that concerns us all. What will be the final result of Brexit – nobody knows, at least for now, but it brought sudden uncertainty with a dose of anxiety to my family, and that's the fact.
It seems that you have been very busy in the last three years - you were playing in movies, TV shows, you wrote a novel, and there also is your charity work?
Yes, I have no time to stay at home. Sometimes I think I should slow down, and create a space that would make me bound to the ground, but there are constant challenges and new choices.
What is your bigger priority, acting or activism?
My priorities are still my children. I do everything else in shifts. Sometimes it's acting, sometimes writing, and sometimes charity work and activism.
When you write, day or night, do you need to be in a quiet place?
I definitely need to be in a quiet room. Sometimes, when I'm at one of those shootings with long breaks, I am able to write something in my trailer. Sometimes I do it on a plane, because I spend a lot of time there.
Will you remember anything special from the premiere?
Oh, yes, I will! That freezing on the red carpet while wearing a thin sleeveless dress!
Original text: Politika Online