Sunday, February 17, 2008

Being Mike Leigh: 65 and still improvising

Mike Leigh

He has been the toast of Berlin for the past week as his latest film Happy-Go-Lucky wins plaudits from critics and viewers alike. Here, the great British director talks to Amy Raphael about his award-winning career, people-watching and why pessimism can be positive

Sunday February 17, 2008, The Observer

The first few times I met Mike Leigh, I wasn't sure what to make of him. He appeared to be intensely private and occasionally defensive. Yet, after two years of collaborating with him on a book, I've come to realise that he is, in fact, open, warm, good company and a great storyteller. He knows about a ridiculous number of things; it's always best to come clean and admit ignorance when necessary, because he also knows when you're bluffing. He can be brutally honest but incredibly enthusiastic, especially about the actors and technicians with whom he has worked. He owns a particularly dry sense of humour; on occasion, he pretends to be cross before a huge grin gives him away. I learn that when he says: 'That is a question with no answer', he will mostly relent, before immediately regretting his candour. [περισσότερα ΕΔΩ]

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