Orange Rising Star Interviews
LOVEFiLM was front row at BAFTA Headquarters in London, for this year’s Orange Rising Star Award nominees’ announcement. Hundreds of hopefuls were whittled down to reveal the final five: Carey Mulligan, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult and Tahar Rahim.
Nominee Nicholas Hoult and 2009 winner Noel Clarke (who is a member of this year's Jury), talked us through what the Orange Rising Star means to them, and who they think will take home the prestigious award this year.
- LOVEFiLM: What does winning the Orange Rising Star mean to you?
Noel Clarke: It means a hell of a lot. To be on the jury this year, to really see the process, you appreciate it more. The debates the Jury had would become quite passionate because you want to make sure you get five people who deserve to be nominated. The fact that it is an award which the public choose makes it all the more important, because it’s the public saying, ‘these are the people we want to see’. - LF: When you won The Orange Rising Star Award, how did it feel to be acknowledged by the public?
NC: It felt great because I think I was written off by a lot of people. I think there was a clear favourite in the industry who people expected to win. For me to win a BAFTA because the public had said, ‘yeah we love what this guy is doing,’ that was very important. I was honestly really humbled but also glad that I won it, because it gave the middle finger to the people who had ignored my films. - LF: This year’s category has some very promising talent. Who do you think will take home the trophy?
NC: I think Kristen Stewart could potentially run away with it because she has such a huge fan base.
Nicholas Hoult, because he was in Skins and he was in my film Kidulthood as well, which both have a huge fan base. And he’s great in A Single Man. Carey Mulligan could maybe come through, but she potentially be up for Best Supporting Actress anyway for An Education. Jesse Eisenberg in Zombieland - maybe he has a following but whether the public will get behind him, who knows. And then of course you have Tahar Rahim, who no-one really knows, but his performance in A Prophet is one of the best performances I’ve seen. I think the British public have become very film aware over the past few years, and I think they might vote slightly different. - LF: Which film really stood out for you in 2009?
NC: An Education was good, I did like Nowhere Boy.
- LOVEFiLM: How does it feel to be nominated?
Nicholas Hoult: It’s a bit surreal. To be considered in the same category as these guys, who I already consider to be movie stars, it’s awesome. The award was set up in honour of Mary Selway who unfortunately passed away a few years ago and my agent strangely enough is her daughter. So when she rang me and said you’ve been nominated for my mum’s award we were both over the moon. - LF: Are you a fan of your peers in this category?
NH: Yeah, they’ve all done some really great films. I love Jesse Eisenberg, and enjoyed Twilight and Into The Wild, I haven’t seen A Prophet yet but I’ve heard brilliant things about that. And Carey Mulligan is practically a star already. An Education has done fantastically well. It’s a very strong category and I feel lucky to be in it. - LF: Your new film A Single Man is already receiving some serious awards buzz…
NH: I had good fun with Colin Firth. He’s so relaxed and we’ve kind of got the same approach to acting, where there’s no huge pressure, you just stay calm and focused and then go in and do it and just see how it goes.
I met Tom Ford, and didn’t even realise he was a fashion designer, which I think was a good thing because I didn’t have any preconceptions about the film being all style and no substance. Which is not the case. - LF: Was there a film for you which stood out in 2009?
NH: Avatar. I managed to go to the premiere which was awesome. I was sitting there with my goggles on, watching everyone arrive thinking, ‘wow’. - LF: Is there anything you can tell us about your upcoming film, Clash of the Titans?
NH: I am one of the soldiers on the journey with Perseus - played by Sam Worthington to kill the Cracken. From what I’ve seen the film looks epic. It’s a dream to have a sword and jump around pretending to kill scorpions. It’s madness that’s my job.
Jennifer Trevorrow
January 14, 2010
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