Bill Nighy on Living, Reimagining Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru, and How He Prepares for a Big Scene
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- čas přidán 11. 05. 2024
- One of my favorite films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was director Oliver Hermanus’ Living. Based on the Akira Kurosawa film Ikiru, the reimagined version was written by Nobel Prize and Booker Prize winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro and produced by Stephen Woolley. Like Ikiru, Living focuses on a veteran civil servant (Bill Nighy) who’s been doing the same job for decades and has been living on autopilot for many years. But when he’s given a terminal medical diagnosis, he decides, after watching and becoming friends with a young woman (Aimee Lou Wood) who once worked under his supervision, to turn the page on his lonely and empty existence and work towards creating something for the next generation. Led by Nighy’s tremendous performance, and exceptional direction by Hermanus, I can’t recommend the film enough. Living also stars Alex Sharp and Tom Burke.
Shortly after seeing the film, I had the chance to speak with Bill Nighy. During the fun conversation, Nighy talked about how the project happened (which involved a late-night dinner and some drinks), why he loved Kazuo Ishiguro’s script, what it was like filming the scene where he had to sing and then break down emotionally in the middle of the song, how he prepares for a tough scene, what people would be surprised to learn about the making of Living, and more. In addition, he talked about when he knew he wanted to be an actor, the visual effects on Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and why he loves working with Richard Curtis.
Finally, Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired the rights to Living in North America, so I'd imagine they will release the film later this year in award season. In the press release they said:
"From the dazzling screenplay by Ishiguro, to the visual storytelling by Oliver Hermanus, to the spectacular performances led by Bill Nighy, to the evocative score and the perfection of the movie‘s design and costumes, Living is that overwhelming, emotional movie audiences are hungering for in their return to theaters. We are thrilled to embark on this adventure with these artists and our producer friends Stephen Woolley, Liz Karlsen, Daniel Battsek, and Rocket Science."
Watch what Bill Nighy had to say in the player above, and below is exactly what we talked about.
Bill Nighy
If someone has never seen anything he’s done before, what is the first thing they should watch and why?
How the visual effects on Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies still look great today.
When did he know he wanted to be an actor?
When did he feel like he could just be an actor and still pay rent?
How did this project happen?
How author Kazuo Ishiguro and producer Stephen Woolley were having dinner and Bill Nighy dropped by for a drink…
What was his reaction to the script by Kazuo Ishiguro?
How he had never seen Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru before deciding to make the film.
Was he nervous to sing in the movie?
What was it like filming the scene where he had to sing and then break down emotionally in the middle of the song?
How does he like to prepare for a tough scene?
What would surprise people to learn about the making of Living?
What does he love about working with writer Richard Curtis?
#BillNighy #Living #RichardCurtis
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“Don’t come to me with your squid problems.” 🤣
Ikiru is one of the best films ever made and Takashi Shimura is one of the greatest actors
Bill Nighy is always interesting to watch in a film.
A true gent. I can't wait to see Living on the big screen.
Always loved Bill Nighy's performances. Singular, surprising actor. Privileged to see him on Broadway with Carrie Mulligan in "Skylight." Terrific interview. Very intelligent questions.
Oh man you're so lucky. I WISH I had seen him in Skylight!
He's my favorite.
Bill Nighy is the greatest and his delivery is unmatched!
He was such a good man and human in About Time. I want him to be my Dad.
This guy's a great interviewer. Well done!
Been watching Bill Nighy since "Last Place on Earth", and his rant in that was legend.
Thanks for the recommend. I'll check it out
Great interview interesting and respectful. Can't wait to see the film, we have to wait til March 23 here in Oz can you believe. Love your work Bill ❤️
still handsome.
Great interviewer and interview. You have a new subscriber!
AWESOME VIDEO
Thank you
0:52-0:56 No kidding, 2022 and I'm still finding myself rewatching Pirates of the Caribbean 2 again and again and again, Please please please let him return in the 6th film, the post credits scene for the 5th sure did do a magnificent job on foreshadowing that
The 6th film will probably start a whole new arc since Jack Sparrow won't be coming back obviously.
Also Bill Nighy said on several occasions he did not have the time of his life on set during POTC.
Out of pure selfishness however, I'd love to see that too !
Love Bill Nighy. The Johnny Worricker trilogy of movies are among my favorites, especially Turks & Caicos. Can't wait to see Living in the theater at the Laemmle in Encino, CA on January 13th.
must watch Page Eight series. he plays an english spy. its a 3 part film ~ so good.
Bill Nighy the Acting Guy
"Don't come to me with your squid problems." -Bill Nighy
Nighy is a good good actor
Bill Nighy................Bill Nye
they look so much alike they could be twin brothers!
Lol, needs a T-shirt. " Don't come to me with your squid problems" 🤣
majestic man
I loved is spy film's & rely reflected a real portal in the ruthless political refection on the political newton of the day. (The Blair papas), was one he played very well .
Why no carbs or sugar? Being his healthiest self?
Reimagine so a sudo word.
Nothing new under the sun. As always, making copies of the classics.
I mean, Ikiru was an adaptation of a Tolstoy novella, so it's not like that film was 100% original. Also, it came out 70 years ago.
It's fine to do that. You could say that about almost anything. It's good for Britain to have this film.