Since her breakthrough role in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Gemma Arterton has become one of the top British actresses of her generation, comfortable in such independent hits like Unfinished Song as blockbusters Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Moira had mentioned Byzantium to me on the set of Tamara Drewe,” recalls Arterton. She didnt have me in mind for a part or anything, it was one of those passing conversations you have on such location shoots. Then I was in Germany in Spring 2011 making Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters when Steve turned up and gave me the Byzantium script to read. I thought it was great with a brilliant story and super characters. I loved the part of Clara instantly and knew she would be a terrific challenge to play. Look, I would never see Saw or Paranormal Activity but I do like traditional Gothic horror because of its more romantic bent. Thats why I responded so much to Byzantium and the Nosferatu inspired style Neil said he would bring to the movie, which is far more in line with my horror preferences.”
She adds, When I was offered the role, I thought it was the perfect thing to do as I was looking for something different. It turned out to be a gift as I can be physical, relentless, charming, funny, frightening and Clara is all those things, motherly and loving too. It meant I also got to sing. Music is a big part of Claras life because its one of the things that gets her through the day and helps her move on. She uses song as a siren call to lure and calm and seduce. Neil told me to view Clara as a revolutionary, someone its taking characters like Darvell and Ruthven centuries to catch up with. He also told me I had to think long and hard about what Id been up to through the ages so I did a lot of research about the Victorian era and the fact prostitution and hanging around the music hall was mutually inclusive because it was so risqué. We rehearsed a lot to show interesting ways of incorporating that subtle way of showing her true age, even though Clara is very modern, because she always adapts to her surroundings. That came with specific challenges though as you have to be the same character in different scenarios. You have to change timbre too, make the contemporary modern scenes authentic while remaining true to the Victorian era she lived through.”
Arterton concludes, Ultimately though Byzantium isnt about vampires, its about life. Clara has to let her daughter go because thats what every mother does. The emotions we raise are very moving because they are truthful ones. Moira and Neil have taken everything the horror genre has to offer and embraced each facet. Thats why Byzantium is such a refreshing, ambitious, smart and provocative take on the whole vampire movie tradition.”
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