You talkin’ to me?
Film quotes pose as questions. Film stars try to cope. In the crosshairs this month: Sam Claflin
You talkin’ to me? Yes... I do enjoy the interview process. It’s something that I’d heard horror stories about. Someone going, ‘You’ve got a week of junketing? Oh, gutted.’ But I find it surprisingly easy. It keeps me off the streets. Do you feel lucky, punk? I feel very lucky. I like lucky punks, I do. I felt very, very underprepared for getting involved [ with The Hunger Games], but very excited. I was a big fan. You talk the talk. Do you walk the walk? I’m definitely someone who’s able to distance himself from the work, so that when I go home, I don’t continue the talk or the walk. I’m able to leave my baggage at the door – at both ends. What’s the last thing that you do remember? I remember my last day [ on The Hunger Games] being really, really bizarre. I said all of my goodbyes. I went around and made a point of hugging everyone I’d worked with for however many years. Loads of us finished on the same day. Then all of a sudden, I remember the first AD saying, ‘Actually, we need to film you guys tomorrow morning.’ So my goodbyes were completely undermined. Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? [ Laughs] Yes, I danced with the devil. Her name was Portia. She was an old lady stripper that Francis Lawrence, the director, bought for me in a club in Atlanta, just before we started filming Catching Fire… I like to think it was some form of test. Maybe he was observing me. But he’s an amazing guy. He definitely showed me and taught me a lot – as did Portia. Have you ever had the feeling where you’re not sure if you’re awake or still dreaming? Constantly. I’m having it right now – not believing that I’ve just told you that story! I do have to pinch myself quite often. What’s in California? I go [ to LA] and think I’m on holiday, but then I’m inundated with business meetings and auditions. I think of it as work. I have to work hard. It’s like going to the gym. I don’t enjoy myself at the gym. I go and sweat, and then I come home and feel sorry for myself. [ laughs] That’s basically what happens in LA. That’s what happens in California. I sweat. If we see something sweet, we better grab it.... I think you’ve got to… If an opportunity presents itself, you have to go for it, if it’s sweet. I think that’s an amazing motto to live by. MM ETA | 19 Novem ber The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 opens this winter.
‘I don’t enjoy the gym. I go and sweat, then come home and feel sorry for myself.’