Julie Walters
Interview by Brandon Judell
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The effervescent British actress Julie Walters has played many strong
female roles over the years. She recently sat down with PlanetOut's
Brandon
Judell to talk about her latest role as the ballet teacher who nurtures
the dance talent of a coal miner's son in Steven Daldry's
Billy
Elliot.
PlanetOut: Being a strong woman, at least on screen (and you seem
strong
off-screen), have you seen many
gay actors who faced prejudice like this who had to be in the closet?
Even though the boy is not
gay himself in the beginning, he hasn't really decided on his sexuality.
The film seems to deal with
gay prejudice -- at least gay people feel that way. Is there much in
England?
Julie Walters: I haven't come up against it, no. I always say to
people at home with
regards to prejudice that
the theatre is wonderful, because it embraces everybody. It doesn't
matter what color or creed or
sexual orientation they are. That's why I love it, because I'm sort of
conscious about that. My mother
was a bit snobbish, so that's one thing I can't bear, is another's
prejudice. So I haven't
come across it, no, and I know loads of gay actors. Ian McKellen, when
he came out, it
didn't alter his career. I know homophobia exists in Britain, but
I don't think it does to a
huge degree in the business.
PlanetOut: There are incidents, especially in England in the last
few weeks,
where gay people have been beaten
up -- and there is homophobia. When gay people see this film they'll
feel so liberated. I mean it's so
strong. I was crying nonstop. It's so liberating.
JW: It is a moving film on lots of levels. It's liberating for
dance as
well. Ballet is a very middle-class, small, closed setup in Britain.
It's great to see a working-class
boy do it. And they do do it,
but people don't know that in the general public.
PlanetOut: Michael Caine -- we brought him up earlier -- has
starred as a few gay
blokes. Will we ever see you play a lesbian? I know the women of America
would love to have posters of you over their
beds.
JW: Would they? Well, for them, yes! I don't see why not. ... The
fact that [a character] was a lesbian would not
put me off. It'd be really interesting. I'd love to do that.
PlanetOut: We have to get you a screenplay!
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