https://aboutactorcharlesdance.blogspot.com
From the past, we have : The Red Book
Mr Dance was in 2001, guest of the BBC's This is Your Life programme.
Mr Dance... was surprised by Michael Aspel at the Groucho Club in Soho following a performance of the play Long Day's Journey Into Night at the Lyric Theatre in London.
Shortcut to paradise trailer
Desvío al paraíso| movie | 1994 | Official Trailer
Mr Dance is Narrator... in 2005
Rumours poster
Mr Dance returns to narrate season 7 of Hindsight.
Listen to hear the remarkable lives of some of the Arab world's greatest figures. From Saladin to Faisal I of Iraq and Asmahan to Albert Camus. And infamously, Egypt's most famous sister serial killers.
Raya and Sakina begin series 7 of Hindsight on Wednesday, May 7th.
German interview about Rumours
(Google translation)
Mr. Dance, what thoughts went through your mind when you read this script?
Yes, the script was fascinating and unusual. I had to read it two or three times before I began to understand it. When I first read it, my first thought was, OK, it's a G7 meeting that goes terribly wrong. (laughs) But I knew Guy Maddin, even though I'd never worked with him. I knew he was hoping Cate Blanchett would be in it. When I was asked if I wanted to do the film, I said, "If you get Cate Blanchett, I'll do it because I've always wanted to work with her!" She's a phenomenal actress and has wonderful energy. She agreed. I agreed. And it wasn't just Guy Maddin.
Rather?
There was him and the Johnson brothers, so we had three directors. It was an unusual scenario and an unusual constellation. I've worked with a duo before, the Taviani brothers. It was a very pleasant experience. But three? It was a very democratic process. It wasn't easy during the three and a half weeks of night shooting. I don't know if you've ever been on a night shoot. They're exhausting because you're living like a vampire for the entire duration of the shoot. You never see the light. But it was a wonderful experience, especially thanks to Cate. I can't say enough superlatives for her. I was very lucky. I worked with all sorts of wonderful people. Cate is a phenomenon. Not only because of her talent, but also because of her attitude toward work and her attitude toward others. If you're not a fan of Cate Blanchett, then you have no taste. (laughs)
Do you enjoy taking on the role of President of the United States, or does it require a certain effort?
There was no need to overcome that, not at all. I thought he was an interesting character as written. Before we started filming, I kept asking Guy and the Johnson brothers, "Why did you write the American president with an English accent?" I never got a satisfactory answer, other than, "Oh, we just wanted him to have an English accent, Charles. And you know, you're a very presidential figure." I said, "Ha ha." I would have preferred to play him with an American accent, but that's how they wrote it. There was an interesting story explaining why he had an English accent, but the film was quite long. When it was cut, the scene where I explain why I have an English accent was no longer there. Which I find very regrettable from a purely selfish point of view. I also think it would have helped the film a little. But, you know, these things happen.
Is working in a top-flight acting company also a competition for actors in the positive sense of the word?
I don't think there was any such competition. Not at all. From an English point of view, we tend to be quite idealistic. The better I am for you and the better you are for me, the better the final result of the scene will be. I certainly didn't feel any sense of competition. I mean, I was in very good company, I agree with you. A group of great actors. But we worked together for the good of the project.
The film gives the impression that filming must have been fun. Is that misleading?
Most of the time, it was like that. Until about 3:00 a.m., if it wasn't particularly hot. Then the fun factor disappears. (laughs) We wondered, "How long are we going to have to go on?" In an hour, it would be light. But most of the time, it was fun, yes.
What is the film's message for you personally?
Oh, I wish you hadn't asked me that. I don't know, that's the honest answer. If someone asked me to describe it, I'd say it's a surreal comedy. Or: Don't take politics too seriously! (laughs) It's a mix of Louis Vaudeville and an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. That describes it pretty well.
Are you very interested in politics?
I try to be. It's difficult to be optimistic about almost any government these days. What happened in America was very interesting. I had CNN on all the time, as well as the usual BBC news channels and all that sort of thing. What happened there was fascinating. It's the most powerful nation in the world. When I watched the footage of those political rallies, I was simply astounded. Particularly about Donald Trump at his first rally after being shot in the ear. There were all these people wearing bandages in sympathy for Donald Trump. There was a close-up of a man who must have been between 60 and 70 years old, looking at the podium where Donald Trump was standing, tears streaming down his face as if he were looking at the Messiah who had come. Strange, isn't it? And then suddenly, Kamala Harris arrives. A new perspective: The American president could have been a woman of color. It would have been a great success. But elsewhere in the world, I hear the word "fight" too often. I would rather hear the words "compassion" and "understanding."
In the film, the American president talks about an assassination attempt. Were you surprised when reality caught up with your monologue?
Actually, no. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. In this country, you can go to a store and buy an assault rifle and ammunition. It happens far too often. When Obama was elected, I thought, "Oh my God, it's only a matter of time before someone tries to assassinate him!" But it didn't happen. I didn't expect someone to try to shoot Donald Trump. But what do I know? I'm just English and an actor.
What can the G7 representatives learn from this film?
Nothing! (laughs)
Could you imagine taking a job in politics?
Oh no. Oh my God, no! No, thank you. I'm just an actor. I'm learning my lines and trying not to bump into the furniture. (laughs)
What do you like about your job?
I'm lucky to have a job I love. What a blessing! There are a lot of people in the world who don't have jobs or who have jobs they have to do to pay their bills and make ends meet. I do a job I love. And I'll keep doing it, if I'm lucky. If actors retired, there wouldn't be anyone left to play the wrinkled old guy. So we have to keep going.
What roles are you most often asked for?
People who watch Game of Thrones on TV often ask me, "Did you really skin the deer in Game of Thrones?" I get asked that question all the time.
What image do you have of Germany?
I first came to Germany over 50 years ago. I was an art student in Leicester, England. We had a student exchange with an art school in Leipzig. They went to Leicester and we went to Leipzig. I also went to Meissen and Dresden. Back then, when we were driving from East Berlin to West Berlin, we would pass through Checkpoint Charlie and spend half a day being guided through small sections of road to East Berlin. In fact, I did this twice. And the last time I was here was after the fall of the Wall. That wasn't long ago. But to walk through the Brandenburg Gate instead of standing on a pedestal and looking over the Wall? I think it's a truly extraordinary country.
You've now arrived in Munich.
Yes, but only for two and a half days. It's not long enough. I think Germany is a very hospitable country. My wife passed away 20 years ago. When I came back from Germany, I said, "I had a great time, I met some wonderful people!" She said, "I think you were German in a past life." (laughs) I don't know, but I've always had a very good feeling about Germany. And I'm not just saying that to kiss your ass. When I was at art school, I studied graphic design and photography and spent a lot of time learning about the Bauhaus. I've always really loved this German appreciation of aesthetics.
Mr. Dance, can we ask a stupid question at the end? Are you a good dancer?
No, I'm a terrible dancer. (laughs)
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