KCAL News Interview With Kate - January 14, 2000

I transcribed and added screen captures to this short interview that was aired on a Los Angeles news program January 14. I saw several of these types of interviews, all obviously taped on the same set, on the same day. I must comment that I admire Kate for making all of the interviews 'fresh' and lively. Rather than act perturbed that the reporters all asked the same questions, she appeared enthusiastic and eager to express her interest in the film and the character. You go, girl!

Reporter: Kate Winslet returns to the big screen in the romantic drama 'Holy Smoke'. She plays a beautiful, young Australian who goes to India in search of answers. She finds herself quickly seduced by a mysterious world completely different from her own. I caught up with Kate earlier this week. And now - Kate Winslet. [Brief clips of the film were shown during a few of Kate's remarks.]

Kate: It was the hardest role I've ever had to play. It was the ultimate challenge, and, you know, believe me, after 'Titanic' I thought, 'oh well, at least I know that no other film will ever be as hard as that one was' because it was such a long shoot. And then there was 'Holy Smoke'. And it was just because this character was so different to anything I've done, totally different to me.

She was younger than me, she was Australian, she was very rebellious, which I don't think I ever really was. But, I wanted to be that, I wanted to be this really naughty, rebellious, brave girl. [Clip of family corralling Ruth] I was allowed to be completely 'out there' and I had to be totally fearless. And, actually, that's the hardest thing as an actor to do, is just to let go of all your own fears and just put it out there. And with this character I had to do that more than I ever have had to do before, so it wasn't easy.

Reporter: No, it wasn't easy. 'Holy Smoke' opens today.

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