Emile Hirsch Interview - Into the Wild
Emile Hirsch received the 'Rising Star' Award at the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival for his incredible performance in Into the Wild. On the (poorly lit) red carpet, Hirsch talked about the dramatic film which is based on true events.
Transcript: Emile Hirsch Interview - Into the Wild
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.
Emile Hirsch ('Christopher McCandless' in Into the Wild)
So, the Rising Star and Breakthrough awards, you've been in the business for a long time now…how does it feel to keep getting those type of awards?
Emile Hirsch: "Oh, I'm delighted. Absolutely. I've never been here before and this is a really nice place. And judging by the piercing shrieking over there, you know, a lot of people are excited."
Working with Sean Penn, what does he bring to you as an actor?
Emile Hirsch: "I just think he brings a certain amount of uncompromising authenticity to what he does, and inspires others around him to do the same."
This kind of a character, you know what's going to happen to him in the end. Does that help you a lot or did you go into it with a fresh mind and let it progress?
Emile Hirsch: "You know, I tried to do as much research as I could onto who he was. I found him to be just a fascinating person, human being, in life that I wanted to know as much as I could."
Were you familiar with him at all before the movie?
Emile Hirsch: "You know when I was about 8 years old I'd actually seen this 20/20 episode that featured Chris McCandless. I saw it on TV. I was 8."
And it stuck with you?
Emile Hirsch: "Yeah, I couldn't forget it."
Is it going to be easy for you to switch back and forth between studio and independent films now?
Emile Hirsch: "I think so. You know, I think a lot of actors I really admire have done it really well. I think Johnny Depp has done a really great job of it with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. So, you know, I think he's done an amazing, extraordinary job. He was wonderful in Sweeney Todd."
If he can do it, you can do it. Emile Hirsch: "Well, if he can do it hopefully I can do it!"
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