Kirsten Dunst talks no brainers

Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and brother-in-law (Kiefer Sutherland). Meanwhile, the planet, Melancholia, is heading towards Earth… MELANCHOLIA is a psychological disaster movie from director Lars von Trier.

The Fan Carpet were lucky enough to be in attendance at the UK premiere of Melancholia, and were extremely please to speak to Hollywood leading lady Kirsten Dunst about her new film…

How was it working with Lars Von Trier?

I had to remind myself on the way to work how special it is to work with Von Trier, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

He’s a self confessed depressive, did he bring it with him on set?

No, he didn’t, he was actually in a really go place whilst making this film, he operated the camera sometimes, which he doesn’t often do on his films, so he was in a really healthy place.

You’ve said it was a no brainer, why was this film a no brainer?

It’s Lars Von Trier, women don’t get the opportunity to to play roles like the ones he writes.

Is it the subject matter or the director that attracts you?

It’s the director.

Why’s it the director?

He writes films for women to be messy, funny, everything, it’s like a real person rather than an idealistic version of a woman or just to play the girlfriend or the lover and this is always about the women. He may be portraying Lars and his feelings but he feels more comfortable expressing that through a female.

Do you feel that other directors don’t deal with women the same way as Lars Von Trier does?

I think there are only a few great Auteurs like Pedro Almodóvar, that actually write films for women.

Did Lars ever open up to you about his depression?

Yeah of course, he was very approachable with me about that.

How would you spend your time on armageddon?

Probably freaking out with my family, I would be very scared.

How has winning in Cannes changed your career outlook?

To me it’s such an honour, and something I’ve always held in high esteem and to be a part of the group of women who have won previously is an incredible thing.

You’ve said that you don’t like watching yourself back, is that just with this film or films in general?

Usually the more vulnerable you are in a movie, the less fount is to watch yourself back.

You’ve done the blockbusters and you’ve done the small indie films, where do you see your career in the future?

I’ve always balanced both, I love big blockbuster films, I love romantic comedies, I love independent films, I’m happy I’m not in a position where I’ve only had one path, So to me I’m open to doing all things.

Where you part of the beatnik boot camp?

I wasn’t, I read Caroline’s book Off the Road, which helped me a lot, it’s a beautiful book and really well written alongside with On the Road, so I had her book but I wasn’t there for the boot camp.

Kirsten Dunst Photos | Melancholia Film Page

MELANCHOLIA IS OUT NOW