Trailer Music : Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Danny Elfman ‘Wolf Suit pt1’.
Found a Russian interview with Svetlana Khodchenkova (who plays Irina in TTSS) - thought it might be interesting. I don’t know Russian so it’s been translated very crudely by Google and polished by me. Please do help if you know Russian!
How did you get in this movie with such wonderful actors?
- I was at a photo shoot somewhere in the fields near Minsk - dressed in attire from the actress Kira Plastinina. At six o’clock in the morning my agent suddenly announced that we urgently needed to send a sample clip of my acting and send it to London, to the Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, because he was looking for a Russian actress for the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” I played the scene in English. And then I had to wait two weeks for a response. And then I went to Moscow to meet personally with Alfredson, and Keira Knightley, who was also auditioning for the part … When I realized that I got the part, I downloaded John Le Carré’s novel from the Internet and read it in English. He hasn’t been translated into Russian.
How was it working in a foreign language?
- The director was’nt satisfied with my pronunciation. He considered it too right, he needed a real “Russian accent.” Thomas Alfredson is a very quiet person, who knows exactly what he wants from you as an actor. It’s such a difference compared with the young Russian filmmakers, who often don’t know what they want and just scream with all their might! It’s probably because he’s a Swede … The only thing I was afraid of, was to play just another “Russian blonde.” I don’t know why, but Russian actors in Hollywood are used very one-sided - they’re only offered parts as gangsters and prostitutes. Fortunately, in this case, my fears were not realized.
- This is not your first role in a foreign film.
- Yes, I did a Polish film called “Little Moscow”. But it’s the first time I’ve been involved in a project of this scale - as well as being part of a large festival. Although I was in Venice the year before as well, but just as a guest. To act with such amazing actors was, of course, pure fantasy. My main partner in the film was Tom Hardy - a very talented and emotional guy. He really helped me on the set. And Gary Oldman and Colin Firth, with whom I didn’t share any scenes with, we met just before entering the red carpet. Each of them approached me and introduced themselves gallantly. For me it was an honor to stand with them on stage before the premiere in the Venice Palace cinema.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy // Seven Nation Army
Stuart cooks a delicious sandwich for Alexander - in his own, very … uhm … unique way.
my favourite scene…okay one of my favourites.
Ricki Tarr and Peter Guillam
at 3:34 in this clip
In case people asking where these two photos came from, here’s a video of Gary Oldman & Jack English Photography Exhibition.
The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday 17th September and runs for a week at Paul Smith’s Furniture and Curiosities Shop at 9 Albermarle Street, London W1. More on the exhibition, see this post.
wow I wish I had one of those novels! and Gary. He´s such a lovely man!^^
