Video:Chris Cooper Interview - The Tempest
with Rebecca MurrayChris Cooper stars as Antonio in 'The Tempest,' writer/director Julie Taymor's take on Shakespeare's classic story. At the film's LA premiere, Cooper explained the appeal of 'The Tempest' and what it was like working with Taymor.
Transcript:Chris Cooper Interview - The Tempest
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the LA Premiere of Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films' The Tempest.
Chris Cooper - 'Antonio' in The Tempest
This is your first Shakespeare film?Chris Cooper: "What? Word has already passed down here. Yes, since university days."
What made you say yes this time?
Chris Cooper: "Because no one else has ever approached me about it and I thought, 'Why not?' You know? It was a cast of folks I have worked with and wanted to work with, and Julie [Taymor] and her crew are very imaginative. It's one of Shakespeare's more magical pieces. The effects that she's brought to it since we had finished the shoot are phenomenal - just really nice. And I felt in good hands."
How difficult is it to wrap your mind around Shakespeare's wording?
Chris Cooper: "Well, it takes some getting used to. And it takes homework, you know, going over it and over it and over it, and analyzing where this character is coming from - and the political intrigue and the jealousies. It's kind of contemporary."
I have to not read The Tempest so what makes it relevant to an audience now?
Chris Cooper: "My character is the Duke of Milan; I play Antonio. Prospera is my sister and David Strathairn's character is the Duke of Naples, and we have conspired years ago to get her out of her political position. And, you know, it involves jealousy and usurping powers, and that's certainly ongoing and it will never stop."
Will it connect with a younger audience do you think?
Chris Cooper: "I hope so. What Julie has done has trimmed down Shakespeare's text, and what we've given them is a very understandable version of The Tempest. And I think along with that Julie's intention was if folks young and old see this maybe they'll pick up the whole text and have a look."
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