Yesterday I came across this brilliant Q&A session/interview with Meryl Streep and Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia), the director of Streep’s latest film The Iron Lady. I found the interview particularly interesting because in all the years of listening to Meryl Streep interviews I’ve always found her to far too modest and humble for someone of her stature. Notoriously shy, Streep has a tendency of making light when it comes to talking about what she does for a living, and more often than not she turns the conversation towards lighter fare — appearing to me as if she’d much rather try and make the interviewer laugh or feel at ease, than go too deep into the philosophy of acting. But not this time. There are so many nuggets of Meryl Streep goodies here that I wish the session had lasted two more hours at least. But Streep saves the very best for last when she elaborates on the power and wisdom of “old ladies”. If you don’t have time to watch the entire piece (although you really should make the time), then at the very least try and watch the last ten minutes. This is easily one of the most compelling conversations on the art of filmmaking that I’ve seen in quite some time.
