You play a strike organiser in "Bread and Roses". What kind of research did you undertake?
I joined a union and went undercover - even though someone recognised me and kept it a secret. That was very interesting. I don't think I could've done the film without that. It gave me such an exact knowledge of what was required of an organiser, the techniques that they use. We picketed a major hotel, where I was again recognised and asked for my autograph! I had Spanish lessons too - there was a lot of research involved.
Do you agree with Ken Loach's politics?
To a certain extent I do. I don't have as fervent a belief, but I don't like people being taken advantage of. I was oblivious, to a large extent, to the injustices going on there, and I live there. I split my time between New York and LA, but I live there. You are consumed with the wealth in LA, the business and the success, and that's the discussion that's going on. Not, oh, people are working for nothing. It put a lot of things in perspective for me. You don't need the wealth. It doesn't make you happy, and it's not why I'm doing what I do.
Most Angelinos would've regarded the Janitor's Strike as an inconvenience - right?
It was an inconvenience. It was an inconvenience to me as well. Had I not done this film, I would've probably been more pissed off. But I was pissed off, anyway. I had a major audition for "Elizabeth" director Shekhar Kapur, which was very difficult for me to get. Most casting directors say I'm too urban, too ethnic, and this was to play a very English solider. It was an incredible role. I studied very hard for it. I didn't get it. These janitors were outside making a racket, picketing Paramount. It sounded like a game show was going on. I saw the humour in it, but had I not, I would've been very upset.
Read an interview with Paul Laverty, the writer of "Bread and Roses".
