Kenneth Branagh: A Man For All Seasons

Does the political climate today, with all its conflict, make for better filmmaking?
I think that has substance. I would say that there is a sense of the preciousness with the planet; we are more keenly aware, whatever the divisions, whatever the debate, whatever the disagreements about the nature of climate change. The notion of brevity, not only in terms of human life but the life of the planet, is focusing the creative mind very intently. You can also argue that the apparently superficial—like the need for us to do things that make us laugh—is perhaps intensively created at a time like this. You really need those escape-hatch activities.

What do you think of the political messages coming out of Hollywood these days from people like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie?
I have a lot of admiration for these people because they are smart enough to understand the price that they will pay in terms of criticism and accusations of self-aggrandizement or trivializing of the issues. I think they understand every part of that and still decide to go ahead and respond. I think it involves a significant amount of courage to stand up and be counted and that their celebrity status does not protect them—in fact, quite the opposite.

© 2008