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Theron, 32, won the best actress Oscar of 2005 for playing
a female serial killer in "Monster," and her new movie, "In the
Valley of Elah," which opened last week, looks at the impact of
the Iraq war on returning soldiers and their families. The South African actress, who also acquired U.S.
citizenship this year, took some time to talk to Reuters about
the movie and her interest in politics and social issues: Q: WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF YOU LATELY SINCE 2005'S "AEON FLUX" AND "NORTH COUNTRY." DID YOU TAKE SOME TIME OFF? A: "I took about a year off. I wanted to go and live life a
little bit. So I did a little traveling, which was really nice.
And there was nothing out there I was interested in, so I threw
myself into a few things I wanted to development." Q: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN FILM PROJECTS? A: "I've always been fascinated with the process of
filmmaking and not just acting -- with putting a project
together, starting from nothing then building it and nurturing
it and seeing it through." Q: WHAT ABOUT "IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH" STRUCK YOU? A: "This had a real element of being based on a true story
and that affected me. I couldn't stop thinking about how he
translated it from the real story to the fictional version. It
was something that kind of haunted me." Q: YOU SEEM TO LIKE "BASED ON A TRUE STORY" MOVIES. "NORTH COUNTRY" WAS. "MONSTER" WAS. DO YOU? A: "I think it's kind of how it turned out. I will say
there is an element, when you read something and it's really
good, then on top of it, somebody says, 'by the way, this
really happened.' It's extreme and riveting." Q: "ELAH" HAS THE IRAQ WAR AS THE CONTEXT TO TELL A TALE OF HOW WAR IMPACTS PEOPLE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HUMAN
ELEMENT. A: "There is a split opinion on where we are, politically,
on this war. People are arguing and debating on whether it was
right to go. We've forgotten we did go. What (the troops) are
doing is really brave, but psychologically how could it not
take its toll. They are coming back and we are not taking care
of them." Q: DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A POLITICAL PERSON? A: "I'm very politically aware. I don't think I can be one
of those people that can walk around with blinders on. I
question authority, question what the government is doing, and
I think that is an incredibly patriotic thing to do. I think if
I didn't care I wouldn't ask any questions. I love America and
love living in this country. And I think, maybe coming from a
country like South Africa, and being used to political turmoil,
that's just the way I grew up."
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL RACE?
A: "I'm still watching and doing my research. I think it's
important to see and hear what everybody's agendas are, and I
think it's a little early to make a decision."
Q: YOU'RE ACTIVE IN HUMANITARIAN CAUSES. WHY IS THIS
IMPORTANT FOR YOU?
A: "Because I'm a human being. I don't ever, for one second
live in an imaginary world where I don't realize my
circumstances easily could have been very different from what
they are. If I can do something to help, I don't know why I
wouldn't. I don't know how people ignore it."
Reuters |
Oscar-winner 
