Monday, 2/24/97
GOING SOLO
Normally cast in parts that rely on a leading male’s role,
actress Julia Ormond takes on a movie alone with a strong and
independent character in "Smilla’s Sense of Snow."
By Aimee Phan
Daily Bruin Contributor
ost celebrities have no privacy.
Successful actors out on the street often run the risk of being
recognized by fans and subjected to impromptu autograph and photo
sessions.
But for Julia Ormond, star of the upcoming "Smilla’s Sense of
Snow," the attention she receives is not always for herself.
"I get mistaken for other people a lot," Ormond admits. "Many
people will ask me if I’m an actress. But when I say yes, they’ll
think I’m Juliette Binoche."
Although she may be confused with the French actress, it is
Ormond who has made the bigger impact on American audiences with
such films as "Legends of the Fall," "First Knight" and "Sabrina."
She has also costarred with many of Hollywood’s most popular
leading men, including Brad Pitt, Sean Connery and Harrison Ford.
Ormond credits her more experienced costars for helping her learn
the ropes to filmmaking.
"I’ve been really lucky in terms of the people I’ve worked
with," Ormond says. "They’ve just been amazing and very giving.
They’ve really helped me out and have never pulled rank on me."
Ormond is usually known for her supporting roles behind her
leading men, but "Smilla’s Sense of Snow" gives her the opportunity
to portray the lead character — a strong, intelligent woman who
has a man standing behind her. As Smilla Jasperson, Ormond plays a
Greenlandic scientist who begins to investigate the questionable
death of the 6-year-old boy who lived in the apartment above her.
While Ormond is not a Greenland native like her character, she did
relate to Smilla’s feisty personality and independent nature.
"I think I can be tough (like Smilla) and it can be alienating
to other people. Smilla can be quite uncompromising. I’m a private
person too and I think that makes me withdraw from some things. I’m
happy to be alone."
Director Bille August also saw the similarities between Ormond
and the character of Smilla. After seeing Ormond’s previous work
and her emotional range in past roles, August was impressed enough
to offer her the part of Smilla.
"Smilla is a very extraordinary and complicated character,"
August explains. "I wanted somebody who could express the clarity
and intelligence, but at the same time, the vulnerability (of the
character). Although her previous films were not particularly very
good, I liked her a lot because she has always expressed
intelligence in her films, which I thought would be perfect for
Smilla."
Ormond also relished the chance to portray a heroine who uses
her intelligence instead of her brawn or beauty to fight the bad
guys in the film.
"I don’t see Smilla as a female Schwarzenegger," Ormond says.
"When she’s put in a very extreme circumstance, she’s tough enough
to fight her way out of them. But usually when she gets aggressive,
she uses her wits rather than just brute force to overpower
someone."
Playing an offbeat leading lady also meant that Ormond would get
a unique love interest: a man who helps the heroine win the battle
instead of just coming to her rescue. Playing Smilla’s mysterious
and nameless ally, Gabriel Byrne was more than happy to step aside
and let the heroine save the day. Ormond admired Byrne’s acceptance
of a role that would place him behind the woman.
"We were very lucky to have Gabriel since the nature of the film
is from a woman’s perspective," Ormond says. "Most big stars are
not interested in playing a role in which the man is supporting the
woman because they are worried (about) how it reflects on them. But
Gabriel supported the film because (his role) was a good
character."
Ormond and Byrne enjoyed their first chance to star in a film
together and grew close on and off the screen. Byrne admired
Ormond’s strong work ethic and devoted approach to acting.
"She really is a unique person in this business," Byrne says.
"I’ve never met an actress more unconcerned with the trappings of
fame and the maneuverings of career. I’ve also never, in all the
actresses I’ve worked with, ever seen anybody so dedicated to the
way they prepare for a role. Her sense of preparation and
responsibility is remarkable."
Ormond is also taking her passion for filmmaking beyond acting
as she explores opportunities of working behind the camera.
"Sometimes I feel that you can be limited as an actor in terms
of what is suitable for you," Ormond says. "I wanted to get to know
the other side of it. I’m fascinated by what goes on behind the
camera, what the process is beforehand, working with writers, and
finding your own projects. I also think it’s important to encourage
female stories onto the screen."
Ormond has already begun to develop more projects from a woman’s
point of view. She was executive producer of "Calling the Ghosts,"
a documentary which will air next month on the Cinemax cable
network. The story will focus on the experiences of two women
survivors in a Serbian camp massacre.
"It’s very fulfilling and very satisfying," Ormond recalls about
her recent producing venture. "It is really a way for me to get
involved in producing and hopefully directing."
Meanwhile, Ormond has no plans of giving up her acting career
any time soon, which will inevitably mean that Ormond will only
continue to get more attention as she furthers her successful film
career. But as she recalls in one incident, the attention she
receives isn’t always for her film roles and celebrity status.
"I was unpacking some stuff at home in London and I went to a
pub to get some cigarettes and everybody started staring at me,"
she recalled. "And I thought, ‘Oh no, it’s happened here.’ But when
I got back to my flat, I looked in the mirror and saw that I had
newspaper print all over my face. So when I think ‘Oh God, it’s
happening, I’m being intruded on and recognized,’ I’m usually
wrong."
At least they didn’t call her Juliette Binoche.
"Smilla’s Sense of Snow" will be released on Friday.
Julia Ormond is Smilla Jasperson in "Smilla’s Sense of
Snow."
Ormond and director Bille August behind the scenes.
Gabriel Byrne and Ormond