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In late January, GQ’s Dan Riley spent a day in London with Ralph Fiennes for a profile published on April 1, 2019. The interview took place as Fiennes discussed his career and recent projects.
A key moment came when Riley asked if Fiennes felt typecast as a villain due to roles like Voldemort in Harry Potter. Fiennes responded, addressing the perception of being pigeonholeed as an actor known for intense, dark characters:
"It did feel like that."
The conversation covered Fiennes’ diverse roles across nationalities and genres. Riley explored how directors like Wes Anderson and Martin McDonagh used Fiennes’ sophisticated image for humor and pathos.
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The thing that people were responding to was the comedic, or the humorous, that was clearly in Wes's script, and Martin's, and in A Bigger Splash, and also the wonderful scene I was asked to do in the Coen brothers' film [Hail, Caesar!], he added.
Fiennes also shared thoughts on his directorial work, notably The White Crow, about Soviet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. The question about typecasting arose when discussing his shift from serious roles to lighter, comedic ones, and his awareness of audience perceptions.
Beyond acting, Ralph Fiennes discussed his cosmopolitan lifestyle. He mentioned enjoying Eurostar trips to Paris and driving to his farmhouse in Umbria to read. The interview touched on his love for European culture, from ballet to classical music.
Ralph Fiennes’ versatile career and directorial ventures
Ralph Fiennes’ career spans a wide range of roles. He has portrayed characters from Austria, Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and the United States. His linguistic skill allows him to master non-English pronunciations, enhancing his performances. He played a serial killer in Red Dragon and a comedic gangster in In Bruges.
Discussing with GQ, Fiennes admitted that his recent shift from dark to intense roles to more comedic and layered ones.
“I cannot tell you how thrilled I was when Wes asked me to be in the film. And when Martin McDonagh approached me to be a kind of London gang boss," he explained.
Ralph Fiennes also opened up about directing The White Crow, a project that required deep engagement with ballet and Soviet culture.
“Those scenes, the one in the Louvre and the one in the Hermitage, with the Rembrandt, those were the scenes that really moved me.
Reflecting on his directorial influence and process, he stated that his style isn't a direct echo of the films he has acted in. He cited Steven Spielberg as a creative force he often thinks about for the energy he brings to the production.
“I don’t know that I’m consciously taking from the films I’ve been in, in terms of visuals, in terms of cinematography... But I certainly, in terms of ways of working… I’m often interested in Spielberg… Very clever. Totally positive. And you can feel it,” he added.
Fiennes’ career includes a wide range of roles, collaborations with acclaimed directors, and engagement with various cultural influences, both as an actor and a filmmaker.
Personal insights and European connection
Ralph Fiennes’ lifestyle reflects a deep connection to European culture. As he discussed in the interview, he enjoys short flights to European capitals and drives a Peugeot to his Umbrian farmhouse. He said about his time at the farmhouse:
“I go to read,”
During the interview, Fiennes pronounced European nouns like “Tchaikovsky” and “salade niçoise” with precision. Riley asked about his happiest moments, prompting Ralph Fiennes to share personal joys. He said, describing his happiest experience:
“Swimming in Voidokilia Bay in the southern Peloponnese,”
The typecasting discussion followed questions about his comedic roles in In Bruges and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Fiennes admitted to the villain stereotype but emphasized his diverse portfolio. His European identity emerged in casual details, like taking the Eurostar to Paris. These habits underscore his cosmopolitan outlook, shaped by a life of travel and cultural immersion.
Stay tuned for more news and updates.
