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Kiefer Sutherland interview - Radio Times, April 2002 |
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Andrew Duncan learned how the 24 star's parents inspire him, and how his disillusionment with the film industry prompted a career hiatus which unexpectedly led to greater things.
On his father Donald Sutherland
"I wasn't
aware of what he'd done. I'd go,
'Yeah, yeah,' when friends told me
he was one of the greatest actors.
I hadn't seen most of his films -
MASH, Klute, Kelly's Heroes.
After I left home I spent a couple
of days watching them all on
video and phoned to apologise
for not realising how truly brilliant
he is. He laughed and said, 'That's
really sweet.' "
"I have huge respect for him but
we don't see each other as often
as I'd like because of our
schedules. We want to make
a film together - just once.
I'd either have to be a younger
version of him, or father and son."
On his mother Shirley Douglas
"She was so
phenomenal [on stage as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?] that by the second
act I'd forgotten that she was my
mother. I sat in the auditorium
for a long time afterwards and
thought, 'That was cool - I'd
like to do it.' I acted with her in The Glass Menagerie, and
it was my nicest professional
experience."
On his early career
"I had a blast - more fun
than anyone. There were a few too
many parties, girls, and I drank a
lot, but was never late for a day's work. I had a brief moment
of drugs, but not really,
because I couldn't handle
them. After ten years I began
not to wear LA so well. I was
tired and unhappy with my
work. I made films back-to-back
for two years, 14 hours a
day, one day off a week,
because of this pervasive fear
you don't know how long work
will last. Whenever you're
fortunate it spawns insecurities
that it might all end tomorrow. "
On taking time out
"I needed to change, and it was
easier to do on my own, when
I wasn't working. I competed in
rodeos, and planned to wait until
something exciting came my way.
The break made me
realise how grateful I am for my
opportunities and how much
I enjoy my career. "
On acting
"I hate watching
myself because actually
I always think I was doing
something different than shows
on screen. When I direct a film
I'm acting in, my part is the first to
get shorter. It flies away. However,
there are exciting moments, when
it's better than you expect. It's like
golf - I'm not very good, but I hit
one or two shots a game that make
me return. Acting is the same."
On his attitude to life
"I hope I'm getting sussed
and will figure things out about
myself until I die, which makes
life less dramatic than in my
20s. I'm comfortable with
my life, love my parents and my
family. I can look back and say,
'It wasn't boring - and a lot of it
makes me laugh.'"
**
Read our Q&A with Kiefer Sutherland - or take a look at our full 24 guide.
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