Up-close and personal with Liam Neeson

Noted Hollywood actor – Liam Neeson, rose to prominence with his titular role in the film ‘Schindler’s List’ in 1993. Directed by ace director Steven Spielberg, the film had 12 Academy Award nominations and won seven of them including Best Picture and Best Director.

Liam Neeson also earned the Best Actor nomination for the film. The North Ireland actor since then has carved a niche for himself in the industry. He played numerous roles in big banner films. Some of his prominent works are 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace' as Qui-Gon Jinn (1999); 'Kinsey' (2004), 'Batman Begins' as Ra's al Ghul (2005); the action series 'Taken' (2008–15), 'Clash of the Titans' (2010) as Zeus; 'The Chronicles of Narnia' series (2005–10), 'The Grey' (2011) and A Monster Calls (2016) among others.

Empire magazine ranked Neeson among the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" and "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time".

Liam has given yet another remarkable performance in Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’. The film released in India on February 16 is garnering rave reviews.

Tryst with acting began when Liam was 11 years old; he took part in a school play because his crush was in it. “Yes it’s true that I went on to take part in the play because of the girl I was crushing on, the one with red lips and skin of alabaster but it wasn’t until I was on stage that it was like - my God this is great.” And the rest is history!

In a freewheeling chat, the actor speaks about his new film ‘Silence’, which is adapted from the book of the same name.

Excerpts

What was going through your mind when you first heard the script?
I found the script very revealing and a real extraordinary meditation on faith and doubt and God himself. It took more than 10 years for Jay and Martin to develop the script and it was absolutely goosebump-inducing stuff, the way they wrote it.

How did you prepare for the role?
I wasn’t very impressed by Shusaku Endo’s novel when Martin offered me a role in the movie adaptation, it was very dull. However, the issues of the novel really came alive to me when I read the script. A major scene in the movie is the torture of Father Ferreira. It was an actual torture - many martyrs were punished that way and lost their lives in Japan. We knew exactly what had happened and what the pit was filled with, which was human excrement, and they were hung upside down.

Then these boards were put around them so that after some time you didn't have a sense of where you were in space or time and you were constantly suffering. You didn't die but there was an agony and you couldn't move your body because you're harnessed in like a straightjacket. To get the same type of feel for it, I hung upside down on inversion tables that you find in a gym and you can hang upside down. So I did that in preparation. I had a long-standing interest in the Jesuits and that is what prompted me to take on 'Silence' when Martin offered me the movie.

How is it to work with Martin Scorsese?
It’s great. Martin demands real focus. He requires 100 per cent. He is intimidating. He requires complete silence on sets; if he hears one tiny sound, it shatters it for him. He creates a space for you to do your best work. So, you get the drift.

Tell us about your rapport with the cast.
It was great working with Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver. They are good to work with. We had this special bond and it just grew.

What is the best thing that ever happened to you while shooting?
Martin wanted all of us to drop some weight. Adam told me he dropped 51 pounds. I dropped 16 -17 pounds. Best thing ever.

Who are your biggest influences?
Ian Paisley. I used to go to a little gospel hall to hear him preach. He was such a powerful orator, putting the fear of God in people listening to him. He was extraordinary, and had much charisma. At the Catholic Church, we tend to be a lot quieter. But Reverend Ian was doing was bible thumping – fire and damnation. I remember thinking that I’d love to be able to do that.

What do you like to do when you are not working?
When I am home and not working, I love taking power walks around Central Park, I love working a sweat. Also, fly fishing - I love it.

How important is social media for promoting films?
I think social media is very important. The reach is unfathomable and that is the best part- not only for promoting movies, but also for causes. I was a part of a recent campaign, where we are propagating integration of North Ireland schools and it was trending all across social media. It’s a great platform.

Tell us about your future projects.
‘Operation Chromite’ by Korean filmmaker John H Lee, ‘The Trainer’ directed by Neil Jordan and reuniting with Jaume Collet-Serra for ‘The Commuter’. I’m playing the Watergate whistleblower Mark Felt, aka “Deep Throat” in the biopic ‘Felt’.