While promoting her new movie, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," the talented, beautiful and witty Emily Blunt thrilled fans at an early screening by coming out after the show for a question-and-answer session.
Tufts Daily: So, about this film. Were you familiar with the book?
Emily Blunt: I had not read the book, and when I saw the script I thought, "How on earth is this film getting made?" because it was just such a weird title. I called my mom and I said, "I've been offered this movie, I really love the script, it's ‘Salmon Fishing in the —'" and she went, "‘In the Yemen?' Oh I really love that book, you have to do it, it's wonderful!'" So she was all for it.
TD: The director of this movie is LasseHallstrom, the one who directed "Chocolat," (2000), and the screenwriter is Simon Beaufoy, who was the writer for "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008) … Were they attached at the time that you [joined the project]?
EB: Yes, Lasse was attached and that was a real draw for me, because I think he brings the most unique sensibility to all his work, and he's just full of heart. He's a wonderfully odd person … I knew he'd bring something interesting and fresh to this film.
TD: It's beautifully filmed — I mean it looks extremely exotic. Was it fun to be in those locales?
EB: Yeah it was heaven. It was like being in some sort of desert-like Neverland when you're out in Morocco. It was just beautiful and between takes we were sipping coffee in a Bedouin tent. You just think, ‘Oh my God, what an extraordinary job!' ... It was just a lovely atmosphere and it was one of those magical films ... They're not all as easy and effortless as this one was, and everyone had a great time on it, which is quite rare.
TD: Now, the river in the film — is that real? Is it computer generated?
EB: We built it. We swam in it. Can you imagine green-screening that? … It was freezing, and it was only two feet of water, and we had to pretend we were swimming in this huge dam, [but we're really] scrapping our stomachs across the rocks, going "Isn't it beautiful?" It was one of those really weird moments of shooting a film. It was not the most pleasant experience, being in the wade.
TD: Romantic comedy — it's a very tricky thing, not done terribly well these days. But, it did look like there was a very believable relationship with Ewan McGregor.
EB: He's heaven, I mean he's really easy to work with and he's fun as hell. He's just lovely. It's a funny thing with chemistry, I feel like, with people I've had chemistry with — both men and women — that it comes out more effectively if you have a great rapport offset. I think you find a natural rhythm with that person that really resonates on-screen as well. ... He made it very easy. I'm sure a lot of people love Ewan McGregor. He's very easy to love.
TD: In Toronto, huge reaction to this film. People really loved it. What do you think it is about this film that's hitting people?
EB: I think it's uplifting. I think it has a really lovely message of the impossible being made possible, and I think it's important to show that relationship between the East and West and a shared aspiration. There's a really hopeful message in there.
TD: This character [Harriet Chetwode-Talbot] is very complex, how did you prepare for the role
EB: That's what drew me to the part actually, the complexity of her situation. She's ultimately grieving for most of the film and yet embarking on this hopeful aspiration, this ludicrous dream. So I thought that was an interesting juxtaposition for someone to be in. ... I really have no process [though]. ... I just sort of read it, and think, and listen to music and try to identify with this person and her situation.
TD: Do you really speak Mandarin [for the role]?
EB: I only learned how to talk about sandstone walls and water pressure. I don't know how to say, "Hello, my name is Emily." But I know how to talk about salmon!
TD: Do you have any funny stories from the set?
EB: Um … I managed to hook Ewan McGregor's dog when I attempted to fish. Is that funny or cruel? He has this really sweet little dog that looks like a lamb, I mean he's such a sweet dog, he's tiny, I almost just launched him into the lake! Ewan persuaded me to give fishing a go and I tried once, hooked the dog, and that was it. It's an awful sound, to hear that "arf." It's the worst!
