I’m not as serious as my film roles: Brody

The youngest actor to win an Oscar says he’s an easy-going person in real life while promoting his two latest films.

ABU DHABI: Adrian Brody, the youngest actor to win an Oscar, is known for portraying intense roles like in The Pianist, The Village and his latest venture, Wrecked. But he says he’s an easy-going person in real life, “I’m a lighter person than the perception of me is. I am very serious about my work. I’m focused and respectful to the process but I am not that intense in my personal life,” Brody told IANS.

When asked why he’s not seen in light-hearted films, the actor said, “I wish that was up to me. But it’s also about finding the right one. I have done a comedy called High School that may come out this year. I play Psycho Ed. It’s a very broad comedy but at the same time I wanted my character to be intimidating to the boys who steal from him. It has some elements of truth and there is humour within that - and that’s the key.”

The actor is promoting his latest film Darjeeling Limited in Abu Dhabi. The film is a comedy but it has substance; there is feeling and an opportunity for the three brothers in the film to reconnect and contemplate their dysfunctional relationship which came about after the loss of their father.

The actor has also starred in Wrecked, which is the survival story of a man who wakes up trapped in a mangled car at the bottom of a wooded hill in the middle of nowhere. What is worse is that he cannot remember anything.

“These are all relevant situations that we can all relate to. There are glimpses of humour in Wrecked and it’s quite intentional,” Brody told IANS.

“Pure dedication made me eat worms in Wrecked. I tried to be fearless and I forced myself beyond things I’m intimidated by,” said the actor, who believes in preparing for his roles, but within limits.

“I go as far as I feel is necessary to prepare for a role. Obviously I wouldn’t pick up a drug addiction to play a character who takes drugs. But I used to smoke cigarettes and I understand the pain associated in withdrawing from it.”

The actor has worked as executive producer on Wrecked and explains the reason for endorsing it, he said: “Producing for the sake of a business venture doesn’t interest me. But producing certain projects that speak to me in assisting their viability and assisting creative minds while helping them see their work flourish is part of the goal.

“Directing is a very separate interest of mine. Directing speaks to me much more than producing. If I’m going to direct a project of mine, I’ll be the producer on that because I need to be responsible,” said Brody.

However, Wrecked has been directed by Michael Greenspan who is greatly admired by Brody.

“I believed that Michael had the ability to make something special. I liked his approach, his insight into character and storytelling. Again you can’t just make safe bets. You have to seek out new things that inspire you,” said the actor.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.