Gerard Butler: “Life is full of surprises. Russian translation of an interview with Howard Stern

Gerard Butler: King among men! It was with this title that the new autumn-winter issue of the magazine was published. Haute Time Magazine. The journalist of this authoritative publication managed to communicate with the Scottish actor Gerard Butler, who answered her questions about his career, about his tastes and preferences, and also shared his impressions of the visit to the manufactory Roger Dubuis in Switzerland, from visiting an exhibition SIHH 2013 and dinner during SIHH 2013 dedicated to hours Roger Dubuis Excalibur. Full interview and photos are waiting for you under the cut

Gerard Butler is a versatile person. He skyrocketed to stardom with a role as the bad guy who plots to Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2, followed by a legendary, overly exhausting role in 300, but also plays in musicals that he confirmed with a role in The Phantom of the Opera. He does all his own stunts, often getting injured, however, the actor is a style icon, regularly receiving invitations to the Met Gala. Gerard is a sports fan, he sparred tennis with Bradley Cooper and is also technically savvy, in his track record- fan conference on reddit.com.

Now Battler is 43 years old, and the contrasts that make up his life are still greater value. Now Butler is trying to find the perfect balance between filming and being a producer, between Hollywood and charity, which brings Gerard pleasure. Although there are only 24 hours in a day, Butler's irresistible desire to do everything, to see everything, to be everywhere, caught the attention of the watchmaking world.

Since 2011, Butler has partnered with luxury watch manufacturer Roger Dubuis. The story of how Butler became a friend of the brand is similar to classic plot comedy.

“I was at the Monaco Grand Prix, I was staying on a friend's yacht, I got a call saying that Roger Dubuis CEO was in Cannes and that he was interested in meeting,” says Butler. “We met at the Cap-Eden-Roc Hotel and it was very funny - whenever I go there, I feel like I know about half of the hotel guests. As soon as we got down to business, we were interrupted, in the end everyone was mixed up in large group. It seems to me that Georges Kern (the former director of Roger Dubuis) was half outraged because he was going to discuss mutual partnerships, but also half intrigued by getting to know other people and having fun in the process.

For Butler, who grew up in the small Scottish town of Paisley, Roger Dubuis luxury was beyond reality. Indeed, Gerard's first encounter with watches was more emotional than formal.

Butler with the CEO of Roger Dubuis, Mr. Jean-Marc Pontro.

“It seems to me that when I was younger… now I'm trying to remember the name of the watch, a gift from my father. The name is completely erased from memory, - the actor admitted. - Maybe TAG? I remember those were great hours. The funny thing is, I hate to talk about it, but I lost them six months later, I was terribly upset. However, that gift made me the owner of the first extraordinary watch. Our family was not rich, so I didn’t have the opportunity to purchase luxury watches on my own.”

Despite the passion for watches, which came already in adulthood, the decision to work with Roger Dubuis was a natural one for the actor. “The company is very proud of what it represents, it is important for the manufacture how it is perceived. However, management wanted our collaboration to be fun and easy. After the meeting, I was left with the impression that the main ideas of the manufactory are passion, love and respect,” says Butler.

Roger Dubuis booth at SIHH 2013

"When we started discussing various watches how they were made, what feelings the masters put into creation, I realized that I was hooked. He immediately called his companions and said: “You know what?! I really want to work with these guys." I think they are amazing, I love their passion and desire to create. I feel the connection of my spirit, my character with the manufactory's watches.”

Because celebrity-brand deals can take months or even years, we were surprised when Gerard revealed how long it took Roger Dubuis to sign. "About a week," he said with a smile. And although the actor was more accustomed to award ceremonies than watch exhibitions, Roger Dubuis introduced Gerard to the world of watchmaking, starting with SIHH in Dubai. Butler, like a real gentleman, did not comment on his appearance at SIHH, but we wondered if he noticed any similarity between the exhibition and the Oscar ceremony.

"I've never seen anything like it," Butler said. “Variety is the spice of my life. I love the Oscar ceremonies, they are the quintessence of our acting work, a celebration of excellence, the best performance in any area of ​​this profession. This is the similarity, SIHH is a holiday of the most sophisticated watchmakers on the planet. Seeing their pride and passion for craftsmanship, the creativity and artistry they put into their booths and presentations was incredible.”

By the way, last year the Roger Dubuis booth looked like a movie set. “My jaw dropped! I looked around and thought, “I'm so glad to be a part of Roger Dubuis! They are real warriors,” Gerard said. “Assertive and confident, and their stand was incredibly bold, it was decorated with a 10-meter golden eagle with predatory claws. It was a completely different world. With incredible energy. The only company that could compete with Roger Dubuis at the show was, I think, IWC. They also had an unusual stand with Formula 1 cars, it looked impressive. But the Roger Dubuis booth was something, I couldn't be dragged away! The workers said, "We've got to go, Jer, we're having dinner!" And I answered: “No, no, no, I feel good here too!”

Dinner during SIHH 2013 dedicated to the Roger Dubuis Excalibur watch.

In addition to the exhibition, Butler's dedication to high watchmaking also included was a visit to the Roger Dubuis production in Geneva, Switzerland. 350 craftsmen of the company demonstrated to the actor their skill and sophistication, which is invested in every mechanical masterpiece, to the last detail. Watching every component of the Roger Dubuis movement hand-decorated, from the circuit board to the tiniest screws, Butler came to respect the 550-piece Excalibur.

Roger Dubuis Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon

"It's a bold watch," Butler says of the Excalibur, which he lists as one of his favorites. “You feel a pleasant excitement when you wear them on your hand. It's like putting on the best suit that fits perfectly. You feel like an alpha male: successful, incredibly self-confident. I don't wear them every day because I lead an active lifestyle. Although the watch is durable, but, for example, when I am surfing, or training, at the risk of injury, I carefully leave them at home. However, on other occasions, I almost always wear Excalibur, they give me confidence. One has only to put them on, as you feel that the flow of energy rushes into the body. Immediately you begin to feel successful, confident and sexy.”

Manufactory Roger Dubuis in Switzerland

Now the actor is preparing for new role in the blockbuster, his character is an incredibly successful and confident man, an image so fitting for Jerad. So far, all information about the film is being kept under wraps, but Butler has already admitted that he will be playing the villain in an epic story in the vein of Milton's Paradise Lost. This is exactly the project that Gerard dreamed of, barely starting his career.

"I became an actor through a movie called Krull," Butler said. "It's a cross between Clash of the Titans and The Lord of the Rings, the film was made when I was about 15 years old. I had a dream that I was in that movie, surrounded by wizards, kings, warriors and princesses, in a world where love conquers evil. I went up to my mom and said, "Mom, I have to be an actor!" My mother is very caring and loving woman, answered: "Of course, son." But at that time I did not believe that my dream would become a reality. I went back to my room and started crying because I was thinking “I am a 15 year old boy from Scotland, what kind of actor am I? However, I am here now, talking to you.”

No doubt Butler as the villain will shock many viewers who are accustomed to seeing the actor in roles such as the Secret Service agent in Olympus Has Fallen. However, Butler doesn't gravitate towards looks that would appeal to fans. "I love playing anti-heroes," Gerrard admitted. “The role of the villain is usually more delicious, it’s easy to get used to it, it’s easier to open up with it. In such roles there is a place and humor. You want to evoke emotions in the audience when you're in movies like this, and it's great when you can make them smile or laugh and also remind them that they came to the movies to have fun."

Gerard at the watch assembly station at Roger Dubuis.

Probably one epic blockbuster might be enough for some actors, but Butler doesn't seem to be complacent. "Italy, Spain, Germany, Thailand, China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Panama, Colombia, Barbados, Trinidad," Butler lists the countries he visited this year alone. In addition to developing new projects, collaborating with Roger Dubuis and a summer promotional tour for Olympus Has Fallen, Butler is also investing in Jamaica Tallawahs cricket team, the stars of the newly formed Caribbean Premier League.

After counting the countries that Butler visited, we immediately asked: does he ever rest? “Sometimes I work so hard that between filming and press tours, I suddenly ask myself: “Stop. Is this the meaning of life?” Butler admits. "I have to enjoy every moment of existence." The actor's hobbies include surfing, helicopter practice, and cars. Butler's collection includes a Range Rover and a BMW Z8, and like any true motorist, the actor is happy to talk about his passion.

“I have an old 1970 Jaguar E-Type convertible. It was my favorite car I have ever owned, the reason I bought it was to shoot Lara Croft: Tomb Raider at Pinewood Studios in London. I saw an ad for an old Aston Martin DB6 and thought, “God! I, a young Scot, am at the Pinewood studios where the James Bond films were made, about to buy an Aston Martin DB6, as if following in the footsteps of Sean Connery! I seriously intend to buy a car!” But suddenly it dawned on me: “I have not even considered the option with other classic cars,” and I really like them. So I went to a classic car dealership in Chelsea, and literally, as soon as I looked inside, I was shown the most beautiful car I've ever seen in my life - a black E-Type Jaguar. I took it for a test drive and knew I had to buy it. That's exactly what I did. However, I nearly went bankrupt by taking the car to London. Every time it broke down, and I spent several days towing the car to the garage for repairs, ”says Butler regretfully.

If we played on the sweepstakes, we would certainly bet that Butler has absolutely no time to rest. The actor ended the interview because he was late for his plane to Africa. Away from the blinding spotlight, Butler has partnered with several charities, including Mary's Meals. The Scottish Charitable Trust provides food to poor children in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and South America. Cars and yachts are good, of course, but charity is a priority for the actor.

“In just ten years, the organization went from providing 200 meals a day to 800,000. Their concern for children knows no bounds, this in turn encourages children to go to school and also inspires them, and if we are talking about development then the first thing to do is to take care of the children. Can they focus and learn something when they are hungry?” Butler says. “In Malawi alone, we feed 500,000 children, which is more than 20% of primary school students. Mary's Meals is just getting started in Liberia, so I'm going there with them."

“I think that right after that I will go to Haiti with another charitable organization in which I participate - Actors for Peace and Justice. We are building a large earthquake-resistant school in Haiti, which is also equipped with modern computers. This is the only school that accepts children from the age of 5 and teaches them up to student age, the result is a full-fledged 11-year education with qualified teachers. Due to the fact that many of the Haitian schools do not have qualified teaching staff, education on the island leaves much to be desired. The organizers take into account everything that is lacking in the current education system when building a huge school, because most of the schools on the island can only accommodate 100-150 children. The new educational institution will help educate 3,000 children who live in Cité Soleil, the poorest area poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."

And despite the fact that the holiday does not shine for him in the near future, Gerard Butler looks happy and satisfied as never before. Although the Scotsman seems to be being pulled in different directions, every aspect of Butler's life is complementary to another. There is no doubt that this energy connected the fates of Butler and Roger Dubuis. After all, who wouldn't want to measure time with Gerard Butler?

Article: Valerie Jack Photos: Kalpesh Latigra/Contour (Getty Images). Website translation hautetime.ru

Gerard Butler: King Among Men

Gerard Butler is a study in contrast. The actor skyrocketed to fame as the bad boy foil to Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, followed up by his epic, ultra-physical role in 300, but he's equally versed in musicals, as evidenced by his starring role in Phantom of the Opera. He does his own stunts and incurs the injuries to prove it, but he’s also a style icon who gets invited to the Met Gala. He’s a sports junkie who takes in tennis matches with Bradley Cooper, but he’s also tech-savvy, with a Reddit AMA under his belt.

Now 43, the contrasts that comprise Butler's life have taken on even greater significance. These days Butler is trying to strike a balance between acting and being a major motion picture producer, between the call of Hollywood and the charities he loves. Although there are only so many hours in a day, Butler's unstoppable desire to do it all, see it all, be it all, is precisely what brought him to the attention of the watch world.

Since 2011, Butler has worked with luxury watchmaker Roger Dubuis. Like a true box office buddy comedy, the story of how the actor came to be a friend of the brand is a classic.

"I was in Monaco for the Grand Prix, staying on a friend’s yacht, and I got a call saying that the CEO of Roger Dubuis was in Cannes and that they were interested in meeting up,” Butler told us. "We met at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and it was a very funny meeting, because whenever I arrive there, I seem to know about half the people staying in the hotel. We were trying to have this meeting, and I was being interrupted every few seconds, and it kind of turned into a bit of a party, really. meeting all these other people, and kind of having fun.”

Growing up in Paisley, a small town in rural Scotland, luxury on the level of Roger Dubu is was beyond the realm of possibility imagined by Butler. Indeed, his first brush with the watch world struck a more emotional, rather than technical, chord.

"I think when I was younger – I'm trying to remember the name of the watch, but it was a present from my father. I can't remember the name of it,” he confessed. "It might have been a TAG ? I remember it being a beautiful watch. The funny thing is – well, I hate to say this, but I lost it about six months later, and I was devastated. But that would have been my first significant watch, because I didn’t grow up with a huge amount of money, so I can’t say I was going out purchasing any of my own significant watches.”

Although he got a slow start in the watch world, the decision to work with Roger Dubuis was natural for the actor. "They take a huge amount of pride in what they represent and how they wanted to be perceived, but they also wanted our collaboration to be fun and easy. That was the feeling that I got from that meeting - a lot of passion, a lot of love, and a lot of respect,” Butler said.

"When we sat down and went over the different watches and how they were made and how they feel about them, I found myself hooked, and actually calling my guys and saying, 'You know what, I really want to work with these guys. ' I think they're awesome; I love their passion, and I love what they're trying to create. I actually feel a huge amount of connection with my spirit, my personality, and their watches.”

Since wrangling contracts with celebrities can often take brands months or even years, we were shocked when Gerard told us how long it took to finalize things with Roger Dubuis. “About a week,” he said, laughing. Although he’s more accustomed to awards shows than watch shows, Roger Dubuis has introduced the actor to the world of haute horlogerie events, from SIHH to Dubai. While Butler, the quintessential gentleman, intimated no such judgment when he mentioned his visit to the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, we had to wonder: how does it stack up against the Oscars?

"I hadn't seen anything like that," Butler said. "To me, variety is the spice of life. So yes, I love going to the Oscar parties – it’s a celebration of what we do in our profession and a celebration of excellence, the best performances in every capacity in that profession. But that's what the SIHH is – a celebration of the most sophisticated watchmakers on the planet. To see the pride and passion that they have for what they do, and the creativity and artistry they put into their stands and their presentations, was incredible.”

It didn't hurt that Roger Dubuis' stand last year was on a scale akin to a movie set. "My jaw dropped! I looked around and thought, 'I'm so glad it's Roger Dubuis that I'm involved with! They really are warriors," Gerard said. "They're so assertive and confident, and the stand was so audacious, with that 35-foot golden eagle with its talons sticking out. The whole place was like stepping into another world. It was very energizing. The only other company that came close was IWC, I felt. They also had a really entertaining stall with the Formula 1 team and the cars – I thought that was really a cool thing too. But the Roger Dubuis stand - they couldn't get me out of there! They were saying, ‘We’ve got to go now Ger, we’ve got a dinner organized!’ And I was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m cool here, I’m having a blast!’”

Beyond the show circuit, Butler’s haute horlogerie education also included a visit to the Roger Dubuis manufacture in Geneva, Switzerland. The brand's 350-strong team of watchmakers awakened the actor to the workmanship and sophistication that goes into each timepiece, right down to the micromillimeter. Indeed, seeing how every part of the movement on a Roger Dubuis watch is hand-finished, from the mainplate to the smallest screw, gave him an appreciation for the Excalibur, which has 550 individual pieces.

"Everything about that watch is audacious," Butler said of the Excalibur, which he lists as his favorite piece. "When you wear it you're completely energized – it's like putting on the best suit that fits you perfectly. You feel like an alpha male; successful, super confident. I don't wear it everyday because I lead a very active lifestyle. Although it is very durable, there are certain days when I'm going to jump in surfing or I'm running around training or hurting my body – then I won't put it on. But generally it would be the Excalibur that I wear, because it's like bolstering your personality. You put it on and it energizes you for the day – you feel like you’re stepping into the shoes of a successful, confident, sexy dude.”

Stepping into the shoes of a successful, confident, sexy man is precisely what Gerard is set to do as he gears up for his next blockbuster role. While details on the project are being kept under wraps, Butler did admit he'll be playing the villain in an epic story in the flavor of Milton's Paradise Lost. It's exactly the sort of unforgettable project that Butler coveted as an aspiring actor.

“When I got into acting it was because of a movie called Krull,” Butler said, “which would be like a Clash of the Titans meets Lord of the Rings, that was made when I was about 15 years old. I had a dream that I was in that movie, surrounded by wizards, kings, warriors and a princess, where love defeated the forces of darkness. I went to my mom and told her, ‘Mom, I must be an actor!’ She was very sympathetic and loving, and said, ‘Sure, son.’ But at that time I thought this was never going to happen. I went back to my room and started crying because I thought, ‘I’m a 15-year-old boy from Scotland, how is that ever going to be where I end up?’ And yet here I am.”

No doubt Butler’s role as a villain will come as a shock to movie audiences more accustomed to seeing the actor in roles like Olympus Has Fallen’s heroic Secret Service agent Mike Banning. However, Butler himself is not wedded to the more fan club-friendly hero image. "I think I prefer playing the antihero,” Gerard admitted. "With a villain, it’s normally a juicier role, and something you can get your teeth into. There's more to show off with in there. It can also be an opportunity for great humor. When you're making these movies, you really want to excite an audience and take them on a ride, but it's always great when you can make them smile and laugh as well, and remind them that they're in a movie and they' re there to be entertained.”

While one epic blockbuster might be enough for some, Butler, it seems, will not be sated so easily. "Italy, Spain, Germany, Thailand, China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Panama, Colombia, Barbados, Trinidad,” Butler says, listing off the countries he's visited this year alone. Aside from developing new projects, working with Roger Dubuis and embarking on a publicity junket for this summer's Olympus Has Fallen, Butler also invested in a cricket team, the Jamaica Tallawahs, who are the stars of the new Caribbean Premier League.

Just counting off that list of countries was enough to prompt us to ask: does he ever take time off? “Sometimes you work so much, between filming and press tours, you turn around and go, ‘Wait a minute. Life is not only about this,’” Butler admitted. “I have to go and enjoy these moments.” Among the pastimes the actor enjoys are surfing, working towards his helicopter pilot's license, and cars. Butler's collection includes a Range Rover and the BMW Z8, and like any true gearhead the actor is happy to talk about how he got into it.

"I used to have an old Jaguar convertible from 1970, an E-Type. It was my favorite car I ever had, and the reason I got it was that I was filming Tomb Raider at Pinewood Studios in London. I saw an old Aston Martin DB6 for sale, and I thought, 'Oh my god, I'm at Pinewood where they made the Bond movies, and here I am, a young Scotsman following in Sean Connery's footsteps – I'm going to buy an Aston Martin DB6 I'm going to buy this very car!' And then I thought, 'Wait a minute, I haven't even looked at any other classic cars' – and I love classic cars. Chelsea, and I literally walked in and there was the most beautiful car I'd ever seen in my life, this black E-Type Jaguar. my car in London, and caused me to bankrupt myself frequently, because whenever I went back it was broken down, so I would spend my two days back in London taking it to the garage to be fixed,” Butler said ruefully.

If we had to guess though, we'd bet that Butler won't actually get around to taking that time off. The actor wrapped up our interview in order to jump on a plane to Africa. Far from the glare of the spotlight, Butler has been quietly working with several charities, including Mary's Meals. The Scottish relief organization serves meals to impoverished children in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and South America. While cars and yachts may be nice, it was clear what the actor's priorities are the moment we brought up his charity work.

"In just ten years they've gone from 200 meals a day to 800,000. It's incredible what they do, and it's to encourage kids to go to school, and also nourish them because – we talk about long-term perspectives, but what's the point if the kids don't survive in the first place? Or they can't concentrate and learn anything because they're so hungry?” Butler said. "In Malawi alone, we're feeding 500,000 children, which is more than 20% of the primary school population. Mary's Meals are just starting out in Liberia, so I'm going to Liberia with them.”

"And then I think straight after that I'm going to Haiti with another charity I'm involved with, Artists for Peace and Justice. They're building this massive school in Haiti, which is earthquake-proof and equipped with all modern computers It's the only school that will take kids from 5 years old all the way through to college age, so it's 11 years of education with qualified teachers – because many of Haiti's schools don't have qualified teachers, so the education is poor. 're taking account of everything that is lacking in the current system and building these huge schools, because most schools there have just 100-150 kids. itself is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.”

While he won't be going on holiday any time soon, Gerard Butler has never seemed happier or more fulfilled. Although it seems the Scotsman is being pulled in countless different directions, each facet of Butler’s life seems to complement the others. No doubt that dynamism is the source of the kismet between Butler and Roger Dubuis. After all, who wouldn't want to keep time with Gerard Butler?

Photographed by Kalpesh Lathigra/Contour by Getty Images

Gerard was born in Scotland, but when he was only six months old, his family moved to Montreal. In Canada, his father wanted to start his own business, but all his attempts ended in failure. He blamed his wife and children for his failures, so Gerard's mother soon filed for divorce. In 1971, Gerard, along with his mother, brother and sister, returned to Scotland, where his mother remarried.

Since childhood, he loved cinema and often went to the cinema next door to his house. After participating in several auditions, he began to play in the Scottish Youth Theater, and at the age of 12 he played in Royal Theater in Glasgow in a production of Oliver.

After graduating from school, Gerard entered the college at the University of Glasgow at the Faculty of Law. After successfully completing his studies, he went to the US to try his luck in the film industry, but his attempts ended in failure, and he returned to Scotland, where he worked in a law firm in subsequent years. Office work oppressed the future actor, and Gerard decided to change his profession. By coincidence, he was fired, and Butler got another chance to try himself in the acting profession.

Gerard Butler moved to London, where he began working at the Marmaid Theatre, first as a casting assistant and then, thanks to his perseverance, in a production of Coriolanus. His theatrical career quickly went up and a few years later he played a major role in the production of Trainspotting.

In 1997, he made his film debut in Mrs. Brown. In subsequent years, he played small roles in the films "Tomorrow Never Dies", "The Mummy: Prince of Egypt", "Arrows" and others.

Butler received his first notable role in 2000, starring in the film Dracula 2000, as well as in the TV series Attila. These two roles brought the actor recognition and wide popularity. In subsequent years, he starred in such films as "The Power of Fire", "Trapped in Time", "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life."

In 2004, Gerard starred in the musical The Phantom of the Opera. The actor performed all the musical parts himself. This was followed by the main roles in the films Beowulf and Grendel, 300 Spartans,P. S. I love you”, “Rock and Roller”.

In 2009, he played in a new role for himself, starring in the comedy The Naked Truth. In the same year, Law Abiding Citizen, produced by Gerard's Evil Twins, was released.

In subsequent years, he starred in such films as "Headhunter", "Coriolanus", "A Man in Hot Demand", "Olympus Has Fallen" and many others.

Hobbies : Surfing, charity, football, music

Personal life : Gerard Butler does not like to talk about his personal life. In an interview, he admitted that he had a relationship that lasted five years and two years, but did not specify who his chosen ones were.

At various times, the tabloids attributed to the actor novels with his colleagues on the set - with Jennifer Aniston and Hilary Swank. In addition, his affair with a former assistant named Tonya and interior designer Morgan Brown was reported.

Scandals\interesting facts\charity

He suffered from alcohol and drug addiction. Went to rehab at the Betty Ford Center.

After graduating from university, he traveled around the United States for a year, where he was arrested in Los Angeles for disorderly conduct.

Gerard Butler was awarded the "Certificate of Bravery" for saving a drowning boy.

Quotes :

Gerard Butler

Gerard Butler: "I've done a lot of stupid things"

Journalists and women hunt for Gerard Butler with enviable constancy - alas, neither one nor the other almost never succeeds. A man with a mysterious and, they say, a dark past today looks like an exemplary macho and a real Hollywood star on a global scale. It was rarely possible to catch an actor on frankness, because Butler has a principle: not a word about his personal life. And yet, some lucky people managed to talk to our hero.

Hey Gerard. Look, I've always wondered where such charismatic and cool people like you come from?

- (Laughs) Hello. I will tell you. I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and my family is from the small town of Paisley. This is a city where eighty percent of the population is employed in cotton production. And you know, I never would have thought that I would be an actor who gets compliments. After all, there is the famous Scot Sean Connery, and that was enough for Scotland. Even more than enough.

How did it happen that you decided to become an actor? Well, was there a moment in childhood when you prepared yourself for this profession? For example, Muhammad Ali asked his brother to throw stones at him in order to dodge the stones simply by tilting his head. As we know, the legendary boxer came in handy. Did you have something similar?

I have always fantasized. But he didn’t just fantasize, but at some moments he simply could not switch from the “fantasy” mode to the “reality” mode. Once I imagined that a train was rushing behind me, behind my back, and I was running away from it. I run away and I can't run away. I got so caught up in it that I blew my whole room to hell and tried to jump out the window. My mom literally grabbed my legs. And this happened often. Sometimes I'm at war, sometimes I'm an ivory merchant and I'm trading with pirates in the dens of Jakarta ... The fantasies were so real that my heart jumped out and my palms sweated.

- Oh. And in these fantasies, you somehow imagined yourself as an actor, and ...

No, not like that. You see, my family was a little lower middle class and a little higher working class. My parents dreamed of me becoming a lawyer and wearing a tie. To say: "One of ours is a lawyer." And they would be answered: “Wow!” So I entered the university at the Faculty of Law. It is now clear that I am frankly lucky in life. Studying was easy, and soon I was elected president of the law society. Moreover, I graduated with honors from the university. I still wonder how it happened. You see, I'm not an academic person at all. Well, one who constantly learns something, studies. If I'm interested, I can master it in a minute. Ask the stuntmen. (Laughs.)

Well, here it is. I took a vacation and went to America. There has come a period of time when something weighs on you, everything becomes wrong. Fresh air was needed. At home, I controlled myself, they controlled me, but here I could do anything and did anything. I lived in Los Angeles on Venice Beach with three Irish guys who were constantly drunk. It was a great time. I convinced myself that this is youth, that this is life, and I just have such a character - I am eccentric. We got by doing odd jobs at some fairs, in some dubious places. Did a lot of stupid things. And one day I found myself handcuffed at the police station. I spent time in a cell in my old Levi's and a leather jacket and Jim Morrison hair. But formally I was still President of the Glasgow Law Society. I can't believe I'm saying this. I'd rather not. (Laughs.)

- Please continue. This is the best interview of my career.

I hope you're not the type to twist everything I say and make me into some stupid, narcissistic fool.

Photo: Instagram.com/officialmadalinaghenea

- In no case!

Eh... There were some great stories at the time. However, I returned to my last year of university. And there the final year of study is not theory, but practice. That is, you go to work in an already existing office and start to really plow. In general, such a full-fledged internship. And my employers fired me a week before I qualified, can you imagine? By that time I had become notorious among the lawyers in Scotland. A lot of things got out of control at that time.

When I put on a tie and a suit, such despair consumed me, such melancholy ... In general, when they drove me, I could not imagine what to do next. You have no idea how humiliating and bitter it was to tell your mother about this. Because I ruined her dreams. The next day I left for London. And you know what I think? If I hadn't lost my job then, I wouldn't be sitting with you now. After my departure, my mother sent me a letter where she wrote that she would support me and be proud of me in any case. But even now, years later, she will not fail to read notations and teach life. (Smiles.) You probably thought that if there is a star in the family, then there is some special relationship with her? Maybe someone does, but my relatives, literally everyone, just love to teach me. Love them. (Smiling.)

- They say that your relationship with your father was far from ideal ...

He died a long time ago, and yes, we haven't seen each other for fourteen years. Nevertheless, I decided to fly to his funeral in Canada. Another crazy story is connected with this, by the way. At this time, I met with one girl with whom I often quarreled, and one day she tore my passport. Can you imagine? I have to fly back to Scotland and I don't have papers. I go through security at the airport and beg the employee to let me through the student, I explain everything to him. He says: “Okay, come in, but arrange with relatives to be met at the Glasgow airport with a birth certificate. Otherwise, they will not let you out of the airport.” I flew and worried that they would not let me go home. I arrive and go up to the counter, show my student ID, and they say that they are in the know, there is a woman with my birth certificate. It was my mom. And then I thought: “God, what a jerk I am, who needs to voluntarily come to Scotland illegally?! After all, there is no sadder country. Everywhere is better than here.”

But now I understand that I was wrong. Scotland is a great country. I owe all my good and bad qualities to her. She made me who I am. There is no better land than the Motherland. We once shot a film where I played Attila, and there were such sensitive moments for the history of my people. I sobbed. Is it true. I almost had a tantrum. My country endured so much, so many people gave their lives for it. It's very scary, and you're proud of it.

- So, we found out that you almost became a lawyer. And when did the passion for cinematography appear?

I went to a variety of festivals, some theaters, until one day I got to the play "Trainspotting". I knew I could do as well as the guy on stage starring. And most likely better. I did telemarketing, persuading people to buy things that I found out ten minutes ago, worked as a waiter, and many others. One day, in a coffee shop on the ground floor, I ran into Steven Birkoff. He was a stage director in the theater and by that time was on the crest of success. I approached him and said that I wanted to try out for the role. Birkoff replied, “Why not? Come." After the audition, the casting director came up to me and literally with tears in her eyes said: “This is the best thing Stephen has seen in the last two days.” I felt empty and happy, feeling that I had given myself to the last drop. I was in seventh heaven: got the lead role from Birkoff! That's how I became famous. At least in my head. Well, then there were already “300 Spartans”, and “Rock and Roll”, and “Phantom of the Opera”, and much more.

Speaking of The Phantom of the Opera. They say that you did not do vocals, but you will sing in this film yourself, without understudies. Is it so?

I have always loved to sing. True, I have no special singing education. So, I took a couple of lessons from professionals. Somehow I approached a familiar professor and asked his opinion about his singing. He praised me and advised me not to give up this occupation. So I don't quit. (Smiling.)

- What about tricks? Again, they say that you are a little crazy in relation to yourself, you do not take care of yourself at all.

There is such. I get injured on set all the time. I break things from time to time. However, one must understand that stopping filming means very large financial costs. After all, this is a whole industry, a lot of people, props, equipment are involved. And you suddenly jump unsuccessfully and substitute a huge number of people with whom you work. Over the years, I have become more responsible, but still I can not deny myself the pleasure of performing some kind of trick. You have to feel everything for yourself. I am absolutely convinced that if you fight in a movie, you should understand how it is to get in the eye, to break your arm. After all, without knowing this, it is impossible to play well. Almost anyone can run, jump with a gun, shoot a dozen blanks. But not everyone will be able to say so that everyone would feel and believe you. This comes only through the physical experience of what is happening. There, in the Conqueror of the Waves, for the first time in my life, I took the board in my hands and began to train. One wave hit me, then another and another. Then it hit the rocks. I thought I wouldn't swim. I was saved by a daredevil who rushed into the water after me. But now I know in my own skin what it is to drown and what emotions a surfer experiences at this moment.

In general, I think my problem is that I perceive each role as a challenge. Will I be able to sing? Will I be able to be King Leonidas and lead my people? Can I be a good surfer? I do not realize that this is just a role, a movie. Everything becomes real. Like when I was running away from the train as a child. And on the one hand, as a rule, the role is obtained. But on the other hand, scars often remain. There was even hospitalization and a defibrillator. Nothing is given just like that. Everything has a price. And you know what? I cry with joy. Because it's a huge pleasure when some guy comes up to you and says: "You know, such and such a hero impressed me so much, motivated me so much that I decided to quit drinking, started playing sports and became braver."

Look, let's be honest: you've had a few frankly failed films. Well, for example, Beowulf and Grendel or Trapped in Time. How do you deal with failures?

Well, first of all, they didn't fail because of me. (Laughs) This is not my fault. And secondly, it's an experience! Amazing experience. You find yourself in a different world, a completely different world that the writers invented, and you have to live there. These are different universes. It is difficult to describe such feelings. Now I shoot two or three films a year on average. And also advertising, photography, interviews and festivals. I don't dwell on mistakes or, conversely, on success. For me, the process is more important and how accurately I was able to play my character. It's so amazing, so diverse that sometimes I say: “That's it, I'm empty. Enough". And then I leave for Malibu. I have a house there. Recharging batteries, so to speak.

- Oh, you still have an apartment in New York, don't you?

Yes, it is, but there I appear extremely rarely. In addition to the undoubted advantages, life in a metropolis has its disadvantages, the city takes a lot of energy. For some reason, I can’t live long either in Los Angeles or in the Big Apple. And in Malibu, I have a house in a mountainous part, not on the coast. There I feel just like in my native Scotland.

- And what is the story with the clinic, where you were treated either for drug or alcohol addiction?

On the set, I got injured again. And when I say "injuries", it means that I didn't cut or flay the skin on my knee. Everything is much more serious. I ended up in the hospital. There they gave me painkillers, and I got hooked on them. Well, this is my character stock - I destroy myself and do it regularly and with pleasure. One way or another, I ended up at the Betty Ford Center, where they help people like me. When you hear the phrase "rehab center", a gloomy clinic with lost people who screwed up in full comes to mind. But you know... I'm glad that I managed to overcome it. I took a course with Betty Ford called Pain Management. It helps me. The truth helps. I learned to deal with physical suffering, discomfort. I still remember the words of one guy, he told me: “Yes, I absolutely do not care about your x-rays or MRI. To spit and grind what happened to you there. I will teach you how to send pain into three cheerful letters! And I learned. At least I think so.

- Many people call you a womanizer, and in general you have the glory of a ladies' man and heartthrob. What do you think about it?

What kind of womanizer am I?! It's definitely not about me. Paparazzi and journalists always see what is not there. But I will reveal a secret: I have a talent for keeping secrets. I have been in a long-term relationship for two years and five years. And no one, not a single journalist knows about them. But on the other hand, they are happy to attribute to me novels with women whom I met at an official reception or played in the movies. I remember how they excitedly, interrupting each other, talked about mine. It was funny, by God. Or Hilary Swank. And then they showed me a photo of me and Cameron Diaz and also claimed that we were in a relationship. I am by nature monogamous and a family man. It's true.

"So why haven't you gotten married yet?"

I myself am surprised. I honestly don't understand why. Some time ago I had a fight with my girlfriend. Since I am constantly on the set, we communicate mainly via Skype. Well, I call her after filming, we start chatting nicely, and suddenly she notices a wedding ring on my hand. And my movie character, according to the script, is married, and I just didn’t take off this ring after filming. Well, the claims began: they say, you secretly got married and all that. And at that moment of the quarrel, I caught myself thinking that I was pleased to wear the ring, I wanted to get married. I feel warm at the thought that I will spend my whole life with someone.

The picture of one of the best French directors Francois Ozon was released

Chloe has a full range of psychological problems: she is an unwanted child, she has questions for her mother, she lives with a cat, her stomach constantly hurts, with which she turns to a psychologist, with whom she eventually falls in love. And here it begins: the heroine, like Alice in Wonderland, wanders in the dark nooks and crannies of her suspicions, complexes, conjectures and, ultimately, dislike for herself. However, her adventures are quite exciting. François Ozon insists that the genre of his film is a sexual thriller.

“Relationships in a couple are always difficult,” Francois Ozon is sure. - This complexity and innuendo is always very interesting to reveal in the cinema. Even for couples who are doing well, freedom is always necessary in a relationship, imagination and fantasy are important. And I think you should always have some secret, you don't have to share everything. Some kind of second life, albeit an imaginary one, can also be a secret.

The intrigue of the film is built around the twins is not easy. “The theme of twins is very cinematic,” explains the director. - Many at least sometimes wish they had a twin. After all, they always have so many stories, anecdotes. And many twins talk about some kind of almost mystical connection that remains between them even at a distance.

It is necessary to warn: Ozone - for adults. Everything is here - and fantasies are on the verge of perversion, the inner world of a woman is not only. And for men, Ozone raises the theme of dominance and a sense of one's own uniqueness, provided that there is exactly the same copy.

Gerard Butler: Exclusive Interview

The disaster film "Geostorm" is released in Russian distribution. Starring Hollywood star Gerard Butler

"Geostorm" this weekend led the Russian film distribution. Curiously, this is the directorial debut of Dean Devlin, the man who over the past 20 years has written screenplays for Independence Day, Godzilla, Universal Soldier, Stargate and, of course, Geostorm. This is a story about the near future in the spirit of today. The plot is based on the main topics that are being discussed in the USA - the fight against global warming, hacker attacks, the development of space technologies by the Americans and the Chinese (there is not a single Russian cosmonaut on board the ISS. The root of all evil is hidden somewhere in the White House. Starring Gerard Butler starred in an unusual role for this actor, the role of a scientist.The actor gave an exclusive interview to Channel One.

“I love disaster movies,” the actor admitted. "When I'm on set, I feel like I'm in space." Gerard Butler noted that he was interested in trying himself in a new, unusual role - a father with a child. The main message of the film, according to the actor, draws attention to the interaction between man and nature and reminds of the need for careful handling of the planet and its resources.

Russian cinema in the world

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards have announced the nominees. Among the contenders for the awards are four Russian films

Good news for fans of Russian cinema. The Asian "Oscar®" - the Asia Pacific Screen Awards - has announced the nominees, including four Russian films. The award recognizes films created by representatives of the Asia-Pacific region, which unites 58 countries of the world and is home to 3/4 of the world's population.

Among the contenders for the awards are four Russian films: Andrey Zvyagintsev and his "Dislike" claim for the prize for achievements in directing. In the nomination "Best feature film" - "The Meek" by Sergei Loznitsa. Natalya Meshchaninova and Boris Khlebnikov may receive a prize for the script for the film "Arrhythmia", and Rustam Khamdamov's film "A Bag Without a Bottom" may be awarded a prize for achievements in the field of cameramanship. The results will be known on November 23, when the solemn ceremony of awarding the 11th rather young Asia Pacific Screen Awards will take place in Brisbane, Australia.

Communicate with Gerard Butler- a real pleasure, no wonder the actor has a reputation as one of the most benevolent stars in Hollywood. He is ready to talk not only about his new films, but also about his personal life. No secrets, no taboos.

We met Butler in Hollywood, at a hotel with the not-so-logical name for the area, London. Although the Scot does not hide the fact that Los Angeles does not particularly favor and comes here only for work, and if so, the very opportunity to say: “I went to London” should bring him, albeit a little, but satisfaction. When I entered the room, I found Gerard sitting on the couch rubbing his legs, and it looked like I couldn't help but ask if he was all right.

- How are you feeling?

Yes, the legs are just like two pieces of meat, they are killing me! I just got a special massage: I train and groom my legs so that they don’t let me down during the filming of a new picture. I'm leaving Los Angeles tomorrow for two and a half months. Fantasy film begins production in Australia "Gods of Egypt", in which I will play Set - the god of rage and sandstorms.

- What movie?

The scenario is based on the mythology of ancient Egypt: Set kills his brother Osiris and usurps power; Horus, son of Osiris, whom he will play Nikolai Coster-Waldau, trying to get revenge on my character. But the thief Beck cares little about the games of the gods, however, faced with a curse, he joins Horus, thinking that the death of Set will help him get rid of evil rock. But the goddess of love Hathor will help everyone. This is an adventure story and will be directed by Alex Proyas (director of the science fiction film "I, Robot", which grossed $347 million worldwide - THR).

- Are you a villain?

And what else! Set destroys almost all of humanity and goes to war with the gods. This is an epic story, and I have never starred in such projects before. Its budget of $140 million is like "Avatar" or "Lord of the Rings", but with a very unusual story. My character is in a world where the gods live among the people: they liked their own creation so much that they decided to live in it. The gods are not eternal, although they live much longer than people - from a thousand to two thousand years.

- It turns out "Gods of Egypt" grander "300 Spartans"?

Yes, his budget is twice as large.

- Before meeting you, I watched the second part "Spartans"…

“…And they didn’t find me there, did they?” (Laughs) By the way, I definitely know one Russian fan of the first part. And do you know who it is? Fedor Bondarchuk! I met him in Los Angeles and he praised my work in "Spartans". I didn't owe either. Looked the day before "Stalingrad" and he made a deep impression on me. I confessed this to the Russian director with pleasure. We had a great conversation!

- I just calculated - you have not appeared on the screen for more than a year. It took so long to prepare for filming in the tape "Gods of Egypt"?

Everything is much more prosaic. Actually after "Olympus Has Fallen" I paused. But this year I am shooting in three films at once.

- That is, you yourself plan - when to work and when to rest?

Yes, yes, I decided to take a break and took a year's vacation. I was happy! Traveled, wrote scripts. I wanted to get away from acting, and I didn’t force myself - I decided to relax. I was drawn to a spiritual quest. I know that such desires arise during periods of crisis, and it’s good when there is an opportunity to step back from everything, to look at your life from the outside. It helped me a lot, and I set to work with enthusiasm, even, in my opinion, with more than necessary, because I took on too much. But this is my usual cycle - I say: "I give up" and refuse to work. But then I work with special zeal. (Laughs.)

- I know, you decided to move from Los Angeles, what did Hollywood not like so much?

When I lived here, my energy dried up very quickly, so I decided to move to Malibu, where it is easier to keep my creativity. When traveling, I prefer to stay in quiet places. I understand the value of life in megacities, but in order to enjoy the benefits of civilization, you need to take breaks and retire.

- You somehow do not look very much like a guy from Malibu.

Well, I’m a Scot after all, and in Malibu I don’t live on the ocean, but in the mountains, I feel at home surrounded by them, it seems to me that I am in Scotland. Now, when I think about my next trip, I understand that I can hardly find a more pleasant and comfortable place than Malibu. (Laughs.)

- What about New York? You seem to have an apartment there.

Yes it's true. But even with my lair there, I never really lived in the Big Apple - only visited it. As for Los Angeles, it is very difficult to make a career here, even more difficult if you do not live in this city. I know a lot of British actors who come here, go to auditions and after a series of rejections they say, they say, Hollywood is not for them. And I think: “Well, of course, then why do you fly here to audition for every new film ?!” The truth is that you can count on the fingers of those who, while living in London, were able to make a career here.

- What can you say about own career- many films that you are proud of?

I've had enough victories like "Phantom of the Opera", there were also failures, like "Trapped in Time". A "300 Spartans" they took me to another dimension, I remember the time of filming in it as, on the one hand, the best in my life, and on the other, the most difficult. In the future, I would like to act in a romantic comedy, drama and thriller.

- Are you afraid to get stuck in one role?

After "Spartans" I've had a lot of offers to do action films, and that's what I'm going to do in "Gods of Egypt". But then I definitely need to change the record.

- Cartoon "How to Train Your Dragon 2"- you need to understand one of the ways to do it. Let you work in it behind the scenes. Doesn't it surprise you that animated films often become more popular than games?

Yes, I think animation had a tough time about 20 years ago, but it's been back in favor ever since. But for me, the most interesting thing about it is the voice work. You put all your emotions into it because you cannot display them on your face.

In this sense, I was most shocked by the reaction of your hero Stoick to meeting his wife, whom he had not seen for 20 years.

You will be surprised, but this scene was given to me quite easily. A similar thing happened to me in my life. I didn't see my father for 14 years and didn't even know if he was alive. And then one day I came home, and my stepfather said: "Don't take off your jacket - your father is in the city, and you will have to go to meet him." So I didn't have to strain my imagination to voice this scene. When I saw her in the finished film, I thought: life is full of surprises ... In our story, Stoick did not suspect that his wife was alive, and meeting with her literally inspired him, despite heartache which he experienced. At that moment, he realized how much he loves his wife and that they can still be happy together. A very powerful scene.

Stoick is not very balanced, and I was afraid that the hero might experience a surge of rage due to the fact that his wife left him and her son alone.

Me too! (Laughs) The scene looks so beautiful because this huge, muscular Viking is childishly fascinated by meeting the woman he loves and looks at her with adoration. I myself liked this unexpected manifestation of his soul.