Highlights from the press conference of PHILOMENA by Stephen Frears
Steve Coogan “It needed comedy because the story itself is so sad that you need some relief from it. The humour was important to lighten the mood and sugar the pill. But it was also very important that we wouldn’t go overboard with it, and I told Stephen ‘look, keep an eye on me. If I get too animated just let me know.’”
Stephen Frears “It’s a story that had to be told and its right so we know that these things are wrong, like the Magdalene Sisters. This is one particular story about one characters, I do not personally know about other characters. For example, some women went with the Sisters and were able to raise their children from there. But I think it’s an important story and it’s important to highlight that it was just so wrong.”
Steve Coogan “Although the Church is criticised as an institution It dignifies people who have simple faith, so it’s not a polemic or attack which would have been quite an easy thing, and it was important that we would take a more holistic approach.”
Stephen Frears “I don’t worry about the social value of the film. I could see it was a very interesting subject and I could see that it was controversial. But the aspect about the Philomena’s faith was very affecting. You make films, and people respond to them, I don’t have grander ideas than that though I would like the Pope to see.”
Steve Coogan “I met martin before we wrote the screenplay, because his book is largely about the life of Anthony, who went on to become Michael Hearst. I certainly wanted to tell the story about him and his relation about Philomena. We sometimes turned up the volume to make things more dramatic, but martin understood them and he was very helpful and supporting”
Judi Dench “She gave no indication to us, she was that woman. The first thing that strikes you about her is her sense of humour. Funny, alert and interesting. And then she gradually wants to tell you the story, in fact I think I met her four or five time and each time she tells me a little bit about the story and sometimes even the same bit again. Probably the most unnerving meeting was while I was filming and she saw me trying to look like me. Yet, she didn’t give me any indication.”
Jeff Pope “Right away she told us that she had forgiven the Church and the people who had done that to her.”
Steve Coogan “Her daughter said ‘I don’t’ and I thought it was important to highlight the story as well. It was important to highlight that slightly more dignified response.”
Frears (when asked why he would like the Pope to see the film. “He seems a rather good bloke the Pope. Good for him.”
Pope “Yes, he is a good bloke and it seems like whatever has happened in the past, a policy of openness is surely on its way forward.”
Frears “what was good about this tragic story was the sadness and the romanticism. And the comic side is optimistic.”
Dench “I can only say that I can’t imagine myself being in that position and being able to forgive. I don’t have that scope of humanity that she has, though I have a faith like hers.”
- Matt Micucci