Liam Neeson Interview
Liam Neeson talks about his new film, ‘cinematic baggage’, working with Woody Allen during the director’s break-up with Mia Farrow, forgets the name of his Star Wars character, explains why no sane person should try to be an actor, and does a hell of a Clint Eastwood impersonation.
The UK premiere of ‘Taken' doubled as the opening night of TCM Crime Scene, an annual festival celebrating crime in film and literature. Entering down the BFI red carpet, BIO made an unashamedly unprofessional show of walking as slowly as possible past the star of the night, Liam Neeson, who was busily signing autographs and courting his fans. Unfortunately for press, it seems largely considered poor form to either act with anything less than blasé interest in stars, or ask for autographs (one suspects Star Wars memorabilia would have been considered especially un-chic).
Once in the cinema, Neeson dashed on stage for a teasingly shy appearance before the film, giving us only a brief “I’m so thrilled you’ve turned up for the movie – so let’s watch it!” before dashing back off just as quickly. After the film, which at just 91 minutes shot by, Neeson proved to be an interesting interview subject – at times somewhat shy, at others very direct, and always speaking slowly in that magnificently rich Irish voice of his. No doubt most of the female portion of the audience could have listened to him ramble all night, but we had the man for only forty minutes of Q&A, divided between TCM Crime Scene co-director Adrian Wootton and the audience.
What started you out in acting?
“School. Well, a girl! I had a crush, and she was in the school play. I had to audition for the play to the get closer to her – and got the part [but apparently not the girl…]. I liked the buzz, and I liked the embarrassment – that duality of buzz and fear.”
Interview Continues
'Taken' Film Review
Film Trailers
The UK premiere of ‘Taken' doubled as the opening night of TCM Crime Scene, an annual festival celebrating crime in film and literature. Entering down the BFI red carpet, BIO made an unashamedly unprofessional show of walking as slowly as possible past the star of the night, Liam Neeson, who was busily signing autographs and courting his fans. Unfortunately for press, it seems largely considered poor form to either act with anything less than blasé interest in stars, or ask for autographs (one suspects Star Wars memorabilia would have been considered especially un-chic).
Once in the cinema, Neeson dashed on stage for a teasingly shy appearance before the film, giving us only a brief “I’m so thrilled you’ve turned up for the movie – so let’s watch it!” before dashing back off just as quickly. After the film, which at just 91 minutes shot by, Neeson proved to be an interesting interview subject – at times somewhat shy, at others very direct, and always speaking slowly in that magnificently rich Irish voice of his. No doubt most of the female portion of the audience could have listened to him ramble all night, but we had the man for only forty minutes of Q&A, divided between TCM Crime Scene co-director Adrian Wootton and the audience.
What started you out in acting?
“School. Well, a girl! I had a crush, and she was in the school play. I had to audition for the play to the get closer to her – and got the part [but apparently not the girl…]. I liked the buzz, and I liked the embarrassment – that duality of buzz and fear.”
Interview Continues
'Taken' Film Review
Film Trailers
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