Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller and Steve Buscemi in Interview

The relationship between journalists and celebrities is a tense and tricky one. Only this week Heather Mills appeared live on GMTV berating the press for telling lies about her, the paparazzi for hounding her and calling for a boycott of certain tabloid newspapers. Sienna Miller may sympathise. The actress is better known as a pretty appendage to Jude Law, Daniel Craig and now Rhys Ifans, than for her films. And she’s earned more media coverage for her recent alleged bust -up with model and Top Shop collaborator Kate Moss than for her designs with sister Savannah. Now she stars in Interview, a magnetic two-hander which examines the multi-layered duet between interviewer and interviewee. The film - a remake of director Theo Van Gogh’s homonymous film – is directed by ( and stars ) actor Steve Buscemi - the unforgettable Mr. Pink in Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. Miller plays Katya, a seemingly shallow soap star who is interviewed by dismissive ex war reporter Pierre. A battle of wits ignites, then sexual attraction sparks, making their dialogue yet more charged. But what does Sienna Miller really think of the press - and what lies behind her fashionista façade? Vera Brozzoni found out.

VB: Are journalists sometimes badly prepared, like Pierre in the film?
SM: They are never badly prepared, but sometimes disrespectful. I have had some who are completely disinterested in any opinion I may have, but are unashamed to ask things that I would find embarrassing to ask a stranger. I have been there, but now I don’t have time for it:  now I know who is interviewing me and I can control which publications I
speak to.
Journalism is an incredibly important medium and journalists have a massive responsibility, but some abuse that power.

VB: Do you ever decide beforehand what you’d like to talk about?
SM: I like it when people want to talk about things other than the personal. But at the end of the day, a good journalist makes a good conversation.
It can be thought provoking and interesting, but I am not mad about talking about myself.
You are being analysed to a certain degree, and you  obviously feel threatened.
So I always try to turn it round on someone else.

VB: So is it easy for you to separate journalistic types?
SM: I think you sense when someone’s judgemental, when people are out to get a certain thing. I’m more astute now and am better at deflecting things, at saying ‘Actually, that’s none of your business!’. Some journalists are quite persistent, and then I get defensive. They say, You’re a public person, so why don’t you want to talk about it?’
Well, simply because I don’t want to!
Moreover, I think as an actor, the more people think they know about your private life, the harder it is for  them to see you as the character you’re playing.

VB: Do you feel as though things are changing for you now?
SM: I do! Just Steve Buscemi phoning me up and asking me to be in his movie, that was amazing. He called and said that he was directing a movie, and would I be interested in reading it. I just said that I’d do it, there and then. It turned out to be a fascinating piece. He is so intelligent, and has huge integrity. He’s an all round great person.

VB: This is a big year for you, with the films you’re working on. Does  it feel that way?
SM: I’m excited that I’ve had the chance to work with John Maybury (in The Edge Of Love), and with Steve, and in three weeks I finish Hippie  Hippie Shake by Beeban Kidron (Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason).
And  Kiera Knightley: I loved working with her, and having a partner in  crime. We’re going to have a drink later.

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