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The Corkman on playing a Corkman, on the Barley flap, on fame & his fans...
10 June 2006 at 09:35 PM | by Melty_Girl
[Note: This was originally published by cillianONLINE, which has been inactive since September 2006.]
Egads, a lovely feature article just materialized in The Observer. Woo hoo!
Interviewer Sean O'Hagan met Cillian at his favorite (vegetarian) restaurant in Cork to discuss the soon-to-be-released film, The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Of portraying Corkman Damien, Cillian said,
There was something ...scarier about playing someone who's from my own territory. Plus, I'm pure, undiluted Cork. I go back and back. My granny's people were from around Ballingeary. In many ways, I had to get it right.
Accusations that the film is anti-British have been flying; Cillian weighed in carefully but firmly:
...you could see how the film could be hijacked. I'm sure Sinn Fein will love it, for instance, but to say that it is somehow anti-British is just plain wrong. There was an occupying force and all the atrocities they committed were well-documented by Labour party commissions and that. It's a complex situation, but I think [the filmmakers] addressed the historical complexities.
He also offered some level-headed thoughts on art, work load and quality of life:
I'd ideally like to do a film a year and just spend the rest of my time with the family, playing my guitar, and going to gigs. ...I don't believe in the need to be a tortured artist in order to do great work. I just want to challenge myself with each role and not repeat myself. I really don't think you have to be rolling around in pain to do that. I want to enjoy my family, too, and have a regular, rewarding life.
Guess what? O'Hagan asked him about us:
When I mention his ever-growing and obsessively devoted young female fan base, he seems genuinely embarrassed. "It's not that intrusive," he smiles, "and besides, when they recognise me, they never seem to remember my name."
Well, Cillian, in all likelihood, that's because those who spot you, but know exactly who you are, probably hyperventilate so much they can't speak at all—so you're safe! Ha ha. But seriously, we just want to enjoy you and your work from afar...
Anyway, there's LOTS more where this came from, so go read this excellent piece! And while you're over there, The Observer also has a companion piece about the meaning of the attacks on the film.
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