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A sense of humor is vital

July 7, 2012, 12:01 AM

Actress Susan Sarandon will be awarded a Crystal Globe for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema at today’s Official Closing Ceremony of the 47th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Yesterday she introduced the screening of Jeff, Who Lives at Home (directed by Jay and Mark Duplass), in which she plays Jeff’s mother.

In Jeff, Who Lives at Home your character has a life; there’s an independent storyline evolving next to the one about her two sons. Were you surprised when you read the script?
I was very moved by the whole script when I read it because family is so important and I liked the fact that they talked about how easy it is to get stuck in your life. Here are people who all think they’re doing the right thing and none of them are happy. There is this very important day in all of their lives and this woman is wondering “Where did I go wrong? I don’t like my children any more. I’m stuck in a job I don’t like. I’ve given up all my dreams.” Yet, family is very important to her. The kid that seems to be doing everything right is even more unhappy than the stoner. His marriage is falling apart. And I think that they’re very close to their parents and they’re very close to each other – the Duplass brothers. Mark has a wife who makes movies and is an actress and a director. I think they’re very open. Jay’s wife is also very independent and a really great gal and I think they’re just indicative of a new generation of people who see female characters as multidimensional.

You play a woman who doesn’t feel attractive any more. Was that a challenge for you?
No, I have plenty of days when I don’t feel attractive. I think that one of the most tragic things that can happen is when you lose your sense of humor, and she’s just gotten herself to the point where she feels so taken advantage of by the son who is at home. I understand how that happens because the way that parenting is set up anyway, usually the woman is Wendy and the father is Peter Pan. He’s the one that represents all the fun and it’s up to the mother to nag about coming in for dinner and doing your homework... And after a while you just turn into this grouch that you don’t want to be but if you’re a serious mom that can become your job. I totally understood...how that happens.

You will find the complete interview of Veronika Bednářová in today´s edition of Festival Daily.

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