Showing posts with label Nicole Kidman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicole Kidman. Show all posts

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Mary Kidman (born 20 June 1967) is an Australian actress. She is known as Satine in Moulin Rouge!. More pictures of Nicole Kidman in here and here. Hope you Enjoy!

Nicole Kidman 

Nicole Kidman 

Nicole Kidman

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Minute With: Nicole Kidman working on "Rabbit Hole"

Everyone experiences loss and grief but few films show it in such a naked and matter-of-fact manner as does Rabbit Hole. The Aussie actress Nicole Kidman was so passionate about David Lindsay-Abaire's original Pulitzer Prize-winning play that she signed on as one of its producers as well as its star in order to see to that his script would get made into this film.Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman has scored positive reviews, and a Golden Globe nomination, for her role as a mother dealing with the death of her child in the independent film "Rabbit Hole."The film was released last week in major U.S. theaters and expands around the country starting on Christmas day."Rabbit Hole" is based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Kidman stars alongside Aaron Eckhart as grieving couple Becca and Howie. Kidman also produced the film, marking it the inaugural project from her company, Blossom Films.
Q: This film is about understanding the process of coping with grief. What did you learn about that process in making this film -- did you draw from experiences in your life to connect to the characters?

NK: It's something that I've always wanted to explore. I've explored it in other films in different ways. I explored it in a film called Birth which was in a very different way. So I feel like it is territory that I would even explore again because it's so much a part of our journey, what we love, what we lose, and the fear of that.
Those emotions are so palpable and so powerful that I'm just drawn to exploring them and expressing them. But I think that with this film it's very much about a family as well and it's about how a family works through it together, about how you can help people and how in some ways you're just so isolated. I think that's what Howie and Becca are, completely isolated, and yet they are reaching out and they don't know how to connect.

I find that so touching and it was something that was beautifully, beautifully rendered in the screenplay. It's a very difficult place to exist in, but also the words came easily and the emotions. Actually, a lot of it was how to keep them in because they were available I think to all of us and all the actors in the film. A lot of it is restraint because as actors those areas are mined quite a lot. We're asked to mine those things often and a lot of it is up to the editing and to the director about how you modulate it.
Those emotions are so palpable and so powerful that I'm just drawn to exploring them and expressing them. But I think that with this film it's very much about a family as well and it's about how a family works through it together, about how you can help people and how in some ways you're just so isolated. I think that's what Howie and Becca are, completely isolated, and yet they are reaching out and they don't know how to connect.

I find that so touching and it was something that was beautifully, beautifully rendered in the screenplay. It's a very difficult place to exist in, but also the words came easily and the emotions. Actually, a lot of it was how to keep them in because they were available I think to all of us and all the actors in the film. A lot of it is restraint because as actors those areas are mined quite a lot. We're asked to mine those things often and a lot of it is up to the editing and to the director about how you modulate it.
Q: Did you go under the radar and attend grief counseling sessions like Aaron Eckhart -- who plays your character's husband Howie -- did?
NK: We both had different experiences. I tried to and was told, "Unless you've actually lost a child or a loved one you're not to come into the room." I completely respected that because they said, "It's just too raw and it's too dangerous and it's a very sacred place and we can't let you in to observe."
I'm glad that they didn't now, when I look back because the way that the emotions came to me in the character were through just my own, the way that I vibrate and the rawness of loving my children. I was able to leap there very quickly. I was amazed at how deep that well is and how available it is.It's probably as David [Lindsay-Abaire, the play's creator and film's screenwriter] said, that he wrote about this thing that terrifies him the most, and as an actor I played the thing that terrifies me the most. Aaron has a different story.
Q: It seemed that at some point that your character would want her husband to show more of an emotional reaction, have an outburst or something -- to be talking about the tragedy with her?
NK: That I needed to have an emotional outburst? He did? No. I mean it's eight months down the road. This [also] answers the other question about how we prepared to play the role -- we rehearsed. We talked.
Part of the preparation that I do as an actor is that I create from birth through now -- which is sort of like my homework -- of where we met, how we got married, all of those things. What happened to my father because you never see my father, just all the details of the [character for the] performance.
Then you come to the rehearsal period and you do scenes and then sort of slowly layer the performance. So, no, I don't think it [needed] an emotional outburst. I'm not saying that didn't happen in the period of eight months prior that you don't see.
That's what I find very beautiful about this film, that this is not about five days after. This isn't the day of the loss. This is [happening] eight months later. This is life. This is how do you stay alive -- how do you choose life when you feel like everything to live for has been taken away. How do you thenlive? That's the subtlety to the film.
How do you live with someone that you used to have moments of great joy with and a normal life with when suddenly you've been completely destroyed. That's why I wanted to make the film because there are so many people in the world existing in [such] places. I've certainly been in a place of extreme depression and pain where choosing life everyday is a choice -- if that makes sense.
Q: When you're shooting such dark material what's the atmosphere like off-camera? Is there joking around or do you try to maintain that serious level of emotion?
NK: Well, with someone like Miles [Teller, the actor who plays Jason, the teenager who accidently runs down their young son] I purposely didn't have any conversations. I didn't want to rehearse the scenes. John and I talked about it and we wanted to keep the tension and the way in which we were relating [to each other] which was with some nervousness and [anxiety]. That was good for the performance, and I think that I probably stayed a little bit in character for the whole film. I was kind of half aware and half not aware.
For this sort of film it's not like you have to be called by the name of the character, but certainly something [remains], there's the presence of the character [there] at all times. Aaron and I would talk, but a lot of our conversations were about our lives. That was good because there was an intimacy to the conversations that I probably wouldn't have had with him if we weren't in a deeply intimate film together. Those will always remain secret.
We had a lot of interns and [such] on the film which is nice because you have people that just absolutely want to be around that are new to filmmaking so they have an enormous amount of enthusiasm, energy and curiosity. And that is a good energy.
Q: Aaron had said that when you walked around the neighborhood you staying in character just wearing your pajamas...
NK: Not my pajamas, my Ugg boots [laughs]. And the other thing is that when you have the writer on the set you can be very nervous because the idea of not pleasing him holds. It's like, "David is here!" But he was so supportive and encouraging and he came to some initial rehearsals as well.
I'm always asking questions of the writer. I just love it because they have the key. They usually have the key.
Q: How did being a parent help you in playing this role?
NK: It's one of those that for me I could go right back into the place that we existed in so quickly. So that it means that the strengths of that love, I mean it's profound. I think from the minute that you have a child or the minute that I've experienced taking care of a child, being the caretaker of a little one, the power of that and the responsibility of that and so therefore the fear of the loss of that child is extraordinary.
I still can't even watch some of the scenes because they affect me so deeply and I've never had that [happen] with a film before. Because I'm a producer, I've seen this film a number of times. I probably won't see the film again, if that makes any sense. I watch two scenes and I'm like, "Ugghhh," because it still affects me so deeply. So I think that's the power of parenting and playing this role.
Q: This project probably wouldn't have happened without your involvement. What struck you about this story or the play that led you to option it and get it going as a film?
NK: Obviously, I just immediately connected with the subject matter. It was interesting to me from [reading] the reviews and then, when I actually read the play, the characters, the whole story I thought, was so available [to me]. I could immediately just jump in and feel [it]. John [Cameron Mitchell] and I did an interview yesterday, and we were saying that with this whole film.... We didn't approach it from an analytical point of view. We did it from a sort of visceral place and that's what it's been.
Q: John is such a unique filmmaker; did you see his movies beforehand?
NK: Yeah, and I just think that I work by my gut and with [producer] Per Saari --he and I optioned the material and we worked on the script with David, when we heard that John had worked on the script we were like, "Wow," that he was really interested in it I thought, "How unusual because of what he'd done and that he was interested in it."
Then I spoke to him on the phone and I just really liked him. I mean, it's that quick. We shared things, but we didn't have any extremely deep conversation. I just liked him and I've made most of my career decisions based on very quick, spontaneous things. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
I like bold directors. I like directors that go against the norm in a way, and I thought mixed with this material and his heart, which he has a big heart, was a good combo.
Q: You did an extraordinary thing here considering that you had the toughest job as both an actor and producer...
NK: I don't know if it was the toughest job, but she's in so much pain and so unable to let it out, trying desperately to move on and cannot move on. So that's why she lashes out at herself and hurts other people and then there's regret. It's so complicated -- each little [aspect] -- and that's why I wanted to make it a really detailed sort of performance. So, I hope that [I succeeded].
Q: Not only is making this film important, it's important that people see it.
NK: Yeah. Thank you. I think it's important and hope that it makes people feel not so alone. That's the [whole] point of it.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Nicole Kidman Prioritizes Family Over Acting

Hollywood Actor Nicole Kidman is prioritizing her life. The Aussie says that she is no longer interested in “Hollywood stuff” because family is now her “priority.”After her struggle to have a child with husband Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman graciously awaited the arrival of daughter Sunday Rose. Kidman had previously adopted two children, Bella and Connor, with ex-husband Tom Cruise.
Nicole Kidman says, “I’m not one of those people who needs to be reminded of what I have.” She also says “I’m in a place where I just don’t want to take on too much.”Nicole responded in an interview, “and I suppose deep down, I know they’re right, because part of me could easily just keep nesting and staying at home. It’s really nice.”
What sparked such a gracious and a pregnancy full of gratitude, was an acting roll in which Kidman portrayed the character of Becky in “Rabbit Hole.” The character went through the motions of grief after she loses her eight year old son. She has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role.
For almost a year, Nicold Kidman was faced with her own grief in trying to become pregnant. Exploring the life of her character and dealing with her own struggle made her grateful for her children.Kidman would rather be at her home with her family rather than exploring Hollywood, as she knows her family is her priority.
Nicole Kidman - Hollywood Actor Nicole Kidman is tired of what she calls “Hollywood stuff.” “I don’t care about all that Hollywood stuff anymore. I’m only interested in the important things in my life — my family is my priority,” Nicole Kidman said in a recent interview.
She went on to say, “I have a different life now – with kids and privacy. But I have been standing in front of the cameras since I was a little girl." Nicole Kidman made it clear however, that is not giving up acting completely. She is just taking some time to focus on her family.



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Nicole Kidman is nervous of producer role

Nicole Kidman is famous actress of the world. But she has stated that her new role as a producer for the upcoming film Rabbit Hole has left her nervous about the movie's reception. The actress told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday that she was concerned as to whether audiences and critics will enjoy her first effort as a movie producer, according to AFP.

"The reason I'm wearing this jacket is because I'm sweating under here and I can't take it off 'cause this shirt shows it," Kidman said.


She continued: "It's a whole different ball game because it's so personal when you're in a film, but you're not responsible for the film."
Kidman, who also stars in Rabbit Hole, added that the project was ultimately worth undertaking despite her worries over its performance in the eyes of the critics.

Nicole Kidman's Rabbit Hole - First Clips



"I'm responsible for this film so it's a big weight. But I'm glad that we made it."

“Rabbit Hole” is based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire, who also adapted it for the screen. The play received a positive review when it premiered at Manhattan Theater Club in 2006 and caught the attention of Ms. Kidman and her producing partner, Per Saari, who decided to option it.
Ms. Kidman and Mr. Eckhart shared some thoughts about the new film and the process of working with their director, John Cameron Mitchell.
Question:-Nicole, how did you get John Cameron Mitchell to direct?
Nicole Kidman: John’s name came up through a friend of mine and it just kind of happened. I’m very spontaneous as a person. I just sort of react instinctually to things and I had a conversation with him over the phone but I already thought, if this goes well, it’s his. He’s very raw. He’s very expressive. And I just really clicked with him. And then I called Aaron and begged Aaron.
Question:-Aaron, what was it like on the set of the film, which mostly takes place in one house?
Answer.:Aaron Eckhart: The budget of the film, because it’s a small movie, forced us to be closer as a unit. We all kind of lived in a house together, in a way. We shared close quarters. We were around each other 12 hours a day every single day. So we really got to know each other.
Ms. Kidman: Within a day, we were suddenly discussing very, very personal things. It was safe.
Mr. Eckhart: Also, I think it comes with the quality of the actors that you’re working with. They know instinctively how to put themselves in intimate situations and make those situations believable. That’s the mark of a good actor.

Question:-How did John work with you on the scenes in the film?
Answer.:Ms. Kidman: He worked separately with us, actually. Because we were shooting in the house that we knew so well, we had the upstairs and the downstairs. And then we would just come together and we would find it and it was different every time. And the great thing was that we had a director and a cinematographer that shot it in a particular way that it could be different. The blocking didn’t need to be the same every time.

Question:-What was the most rewarding element of this film?
Answer.:Ms. Kidman: Getting it made. Because these days, it’s so hard. This was made in a time where it’s so hard to raise money, let alone money for this sort of subject matter. But I think it’s really important that these kind of things are made. My favorite kind of films are “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Ordinary People” and films that are very, very intimate human dramas and it’s hard to get them made. When Aaron said yes, the film got put together and off we went. So he had no idea how much was riding on his decision.
Question:-And this is the first place it is playing publicly, seeking distribution?
Answer.:Ms. Kidman: We waited to show it here. And took a chance. Hopefully that works out for the film. But I believe each film has its own story and its own path. And you can’t force things. This was the way they wanted to do it. It’s a little bit like playing Russian Roulette. But at the same time, I’m just so grateful that people are responding to it.