When considering a film, some actors might steer clear of a character that dies in the first few pages of a script. But not Gemma Arterton. When she read the script for the Marjane Satrapi directed flick, The Voices, she was eager to play Fiona, a woman who is decapitated in movie’s first moments. “I was really looking for something different,” the actor says of the film’s unconventional plot.

The film, which premiered at Sundance 2014, and stars Hollywood mainstay Ryan Reynolds, is about as weird as they come. We follow Jerry, a seemingly normal, likable factory worker who is hiding one fatal secret: His pets, and all the animals he encounters — the goldfish at the Asian restaurant, the deer he hits with his car, and the dog and cat he lives with — talk to him, and tell him to commit sinister crimes. One such crime being the murder of Fiona, the cute British girl at work he wants to date. And it isn’t a spoiler to say that Arterton’s character exists as a talking, severed head for the remainder of the film. “When I met Marjane, she said, ‘Who do you want to play? Do you want to play the head in the fridge or Anna Kendrick’s role?’ And I said, ‘No! I want to play the one that’s always in the fridge!’”

If it sounds cringe-worthy, it’s because it is. But the film utilizes a unique comedic perspective — like Ryan Reynolds voicing Mr. Whiskers, Bunny Monkey, and most of the animals that talk to him — to broach the topic of mental illness. “We like him, even when he’s done these terrible things,” Arterton says of Reynolds’ character. “It’s controversial, but it’s an exploration of mental illness. That’s what the point of the film is, and it’s quite beautiful. But it’s difficult to talk about it if people haven’t seen the film. People who read this interview may not understand, it’s a delicate subject.” Read More

A new UK promotional poster for The Voices has just been released (thanks to Empire) and it has been added to the gallery.

Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick and Ella Smith perform Sing A Happy Song from the motion picture The Voices.

A woman who’s not satisfied with only one man and who doesn’t accept to stay a step back: that’s the protagonist of a mytical novel, and of the film that it inspired. But that’s also Miss Arterton, who lends her her body (and what a body!). Hollywood sexists, stay away!

“Men lose weight in order to win an Oscar, while women do it in order to get work.”

GALLERY LINK:
– Photo Gallery > Magazine Scans > Scans from 2015 > Vanity Fair (Italy) – February 4, 2015, thanks to Ivonne

Shakespeare’s Globe’s production of The Duchess of Malfi starring Gemma Arterton will be broadcast to cinemas on February 26.

The production is the first in the new season from Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen, which is now in its fifth year.

Dominic Dromgoole directed the production, which has designs by Jonathan Fensom and music by Claire van Kampen.

Mark Foster, chief executive of distributor Arts Alliance, said: “Authentically capturing the unique candlelit setting of this production of The Duchess of Malfi on film is an incredible achievement and a stunning opening to the new season.”

The season also includes Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and Titus Andronicus and The Comedy of Errors, which were all part of the 2014 season at Shakespeare’s Globe. (source)

Updated the gallery adding new photos from the Made in Dagenham Opening Night – Curtains Call, new candids from her visit at the Global Radio in London and new additions to the Annual ICAP Charity Day event. Thanks to Mouza and Haylie for their donations! :)

GALLERY LINKS:
– Public Events > Made in Dagenham Opening Night – Curtains Call
– Public Events > Annual ICAP Charity Day