You firstly directed almost 20 years ago. What intensive did you have to direct again after so many years?

Motivation is always the same.Since that time I was directing a lot in theatre I started to study a drama at the age of 25 and I support idea of young people not having to decide about their future occupation too soon. I directed that “ Winter guest” firstly in theatre and then in film and I felt it was the ideal connection of my creative abilities on scene and I thought it was innevitable that both of my parts got together there.You have to be very sure in what you do and gain confidence so you can step infront of bunch of actors and answer their questions with reply “I don’ know”.And it takes some time.

What impressed you on the story of your costume drama “A little chaos”?

You must get very good script that you won’ t let go before you finish reading it.It’s like animal instinct which leads you and it can be said that the story choose you.I didn’ t pick it since it’s from France of 17^th century, but because it is an extraordinary story of man and woman that could never happen and because this is film, you can do whatever you like.

When you get an offer for film, what is the first aspect you look at:length of time you will be on screen, depth of character you are to play, who is your mate and director or the cheque?

None of what you have mentioned. It’ s the quality of the topic and idea of the whole story.It is interesting that your attitude towards the story changes as the time goes.

As a director are you satisfied with you as an actor in your film “A little chaos”?

I act in that movie only because producer asked me to do so.I am not silly enough to put myself in my movie.I know some actors/directors do it by that is very hard.When producer tells you, you must play in your movie, it means, you do it for free.Well, he doesn’ t tell you that so straight, he says he will pay you one day, soon.Maybe...My role isn’ t that big, he either stands still or sits still with same expression on his face.The way he sits there, he looks like film director. Shame that in era of Louis XIV. The film wasn’t invented yet, he could have been good film director.

Do you think that film directing is nonstop balance between control, selfcontrol and freedom?

Now I teach young would- be- actors on London Academy of Art that selfcontrol and freedom are both sides of the same coin.One can’ t exist without another.Absolute freedom is meatless, while pure discipline kills imagination.

You played lots of villains in your movies. When you accept role, do you consider also moral aspects so you couldn’ t say play Adolf Hitler or Bin Ladin?

Hmm, how many villains did I play?

Six or seven?

Aha, can you name them????To save your time, I played only 2,5 villains and it was 28 years ago.I don’ t judge the character I am to play otherwise I couldn’ t depict it.But I know I wouldn’ t play in anything promoting rightwing politics.Funnily if these plays are showed on theatre, they are usually very badly written.I also played Ronald Reagan which is probably the half of that villain I mentioned before.If you do your homework and study the  character you realize that it is not always so clear.Of course  here is the author’s view but for me it was important to show that Ronald Reagan was a human being.

You played with many top British actors.Is it different when you play with them and when you direct them?How did you like collaboration  with Kate Winslet?

For me is inescapable, when I direct in theatre or in film that I look at it from the actors ponit of view.I direct the way I would like to be directed and I always ask actors what they think about their role.So my attitude is very democratic.As director I of course have to make final decision but when we talk about the way we will do it, we are all equal.I met and played with Kate already long time ago. She was about 19 then and since that time she made a huge step in film business.So I was kind of surprised when she told me one day that she is not used to being asked about her opinion and what does she think about her role.It is strange since she is very intelligent woman and as an actress always perfecttly prepared.So as director I often say “I don’ t know”but I also often ask  “What do you think about that?”Actors are very good source of opinions.

You help many charities. What is the aim of the one called “Saving faces” and the other called “International performers aid trust?”

Many actors help various charities since it’s good way how to obtain money for them. That’ s reality of life.Sometimes I feel embarassed, when actors are asked about their opinions about everything happening around us.As an actor I should concentrate at my work and channel my energy that way. Some intimity is important there.I wouldn’ t be happy if people looked at me in movie and said “ It’ s him who is selling insurance”.Well, maybe not insurance but cars or clothes.So back to “ Saving faces”.....Ian Hutchinson and his wife are great friends of mine and he is one of the best surgeons doing plastic surgeries and saving people who suffer from cancer or are disfigured after car accidents.He asked me to be one of his sponsors since my name looks good at the list of his donors.And I know his score since person who looses face looses part of his identity and personality and me as an actor knows how face is important.

“International performers aid trust” is a charity whose president I am.It is much closer to my profession.We provide small grants which means a lot to small groups of actors, theatre groups or musicians who try to perform in countries with tough regimes.So we support three musicians from Salvador or small theatre group from Nigeria.It is nice when you as an actor see  what is done when you toss a pebble into water and how far the circles go.

You play in films, you direct them, you play in theatre and teach.Would  you like to play more in television?

World is changing.Many top actors, mainly in America, play on TV and one has to go with a flow.It would much depend on the story and screenplay.But if the best screenwriters find good job on TV, it is obvious, they are followed by the best actors.What I don’ t like on TV is that we loose that common film experience.It is different, if you sit in the movie and watch the film or you can stop it and grab a beer from the fridge.

What is your attitude to commercials?Would you play in any and would that have to be the product close to your heart?

I have no interest at all in playing in commercials. But lets imagine, that I would play there.I think I would be fired very soon for total lack of attitude and will to promote anything.

This interview was realized at Febio Fest.