Movie Talk with Ray Winstone
Description
British actor Ray Winstone discusses his film Noah 2014 directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe depicting the biblical story of Noah and the great flood. He talks of the incredible life size sets and the many huge differences between shooting such an epic Hollywood production and shooting a low-budget Indie project. Winstone says Indie films are all about the scripts and the story, whereas with the big studio productions, it's the main stars that carry the movie. Scum 1979 directed by Alan Clarke, this was Winstone's first ever film, he was an absolute beginner, he learnt everything from Clarke, he was his teacher. They made two versions of the film, the one made for the BBC which Winstone regards as the best - being a very gritty film about the struggle for survival in the nightmare world of a brutal borstal. Winstone then talks of a period of time between jobs where he was lazy and undisciplined until along came another hard-hitting film titled Nil by Mouth, written and directed by Gary Oldman. Winstone discusses what it was like working with Oldman and how he would free the actors up to take the characters to the extreme, he had to dig deep for the brutal role, playing an abusive alcoholic, he couldn't take the character home with him and he had to consciously separate himself at the end of each day. Sexy Beast 2000, in which Winstone plays a retired gangster living the dream in Spain, he was sent to Spain to prepare for the role by over eating and getting a sun tan, Winstone reflects on it being the happiest and easiest prep he's ever experienced. He was sceptical when the producers told him Ben Kingsley had been cast as the psychopath Don as he was physically a 'little guy' but quickly changed his mind when Kingsley turned into the deeply disturbing Don Logan. The producers were worried about Winstone's lack of acting and told him to make his performance 'bigger' he didn't agree as he trusted in his director Jonathan Glazer and had the big screen in mind, he was proved right and he considers his performance 'bang on'. Cold Mountain 2005 an American Civil War film directed by Anthony Minghella, as a child he had always wanted to be a cowboy so he was more than happy to be dressed up in a hat and boots and riding a horse. Next is The Proposition 2005. Set in the scorching, unforgiving heat of the Australian outback, Winstone remembers it being incredibly uncomfortable to shoot but still a great film. Beowulf 2007 a fantasy adventure film, with an all star cast, and motion capture experiences. Winstone loved shooting this film. The Departed 2006 here Winstone talks of finally getting to work with 'the real deal' Martin Scorsese, he discusses how he got the role and the very open and creative Scorsese - like all the great directors, he is open to everyones opinion and input, giving you freedom to play with the character. The Sweeney 2012 finally the script was right and he had a great time filming with his fellow cast and director Nick Love. Winstone talks of being who he is, a geezer, a normal bloke with a 'derby' that's who he is.