Interview with Gabriel Byrne (1996)

Описание: We take a look at the past to shape our future.

In 1996, Gabriel Byrne sat down with Charlie Rose to discuss his films "Mad Dog and Glory" and the upcoming "Smilla's Sense of Snow," while reflecting on Irish identity, moving to Los Angeles, and his new production company.

Byrne reveals he arrived in LA on January 17, 1994, the day of the Northridge earthquake: "I was actually asleep in the hotel and slept soundly. I didn't even hear anything and was amazed the next morning."

On the mythic pull of Ireland versus its reality, Byrne offers a thoughtful critique: "Ireland has been, like many countries, a victim of cliche. John Ford, who was under the spell of this mythic Ireland, created a country that was full of his movie. It is based on reality, but populated with incredible graphics."

He discusses the complex feelings of leaving home: "Once you move to another place, you are no longer the same person and you can never really go back to the place that you've left. I suffer from that rootlessness and restlessness because I love my home, the people, the language, the humor, the weather, all the things that make me uniquely Irish."

On "Mad Dog and Glory," Byrne describes it as "an allegory based on observations of the Rat Pack in the 60s in Las Vegas," featuring Jeff Goldblum, Diane Lane, Richard Dreyfuss, and Ellen Barkin. He shares that reuniting with Barkin on screen was "nerve-making" but "very fulfilling."

Byrne discusses his production company deal, directing ambitions, and seeing Bruce Springsteen perform for four hours in Copenhagen.

GUEST: Gabriel Byrne, Actor, Producer

Interview from 1996

0:00 Introduction: Gabriel Byrne's career
0:51 Moving to Los Angeles
1:20 Arriving on earthquake day
2:13 The pull of Ireland
2:51 Irish landscape absorbs history
3:38 Ireland as "victim of cliche"
4:30 "Brilliant talkers and brilliant failures"
5:11 Irish culture finding confidence
5:45 Can you ever go back?
6:26 "Rootlessness and restlessness"
6:56 Myth of Tir na nOg
7:47 "Mad Dog and Glory"
8:25 Rat Pack allegory
8:33 Clip: Mad Dog and Glory
9:25 Working with Ellen Barkin again
10:00 Production company deal
10:39 Directing ambitions
11:21 Seeing Springsteen in Copenhagen
11:55 Universal themes in music
12:32 "Smilla's Sense of Snow"
13:03 104 words for snow in Greenland

This interview captures one of Ireland's finest actors reflecting on identity, home, and the journey between two worlds. History offers the clearest roadmap for our future.

Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.

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