Aruba International Film Festival

Kim Cattrall on red carpet at AIFF 2011 

ARUBA FILM FESTIVAL- Kim Cattrall on red carpet.

Actress Kim Cattrall opened the 2nd annual Aruba Film Festival (AIFF) on June 10th, 2011 with the world premier of her film MEET MONICA VELOUR (2010). She was met by crowds of fans consisting of Aruba locals as well as visitors from all corners of the globe. As she walked up the red carpet, she answered questions about her film to inquiring press.

ME: Can you tell us about your character Monica in this film and why she was a challenge to play compared to the characters you have played in the past?

KIM: Because I usually play characters who are so hopeful and strong and this woman, she has strength but she’s at her wits end and she came from a very raw place. I had to so transform myself from vanity and I’m a woman. I want to look attractive and be beautiful lit and all of those things that you get in Hollywood but I really wanted to take this jump. I wanted to first of all see if I could do it and I relished it. It was like letting go of something. There’s no way that I would change anything. It was one of the most exciting experiences to go into the unknown and just have faith that it was going to work on some level and some ways it was about setting myself free from things that are expected of me to things that are…because I don’t want to look 20 or 40 for the rest of my life. I want to age and play different kinds of roles. I want to encourage women to like what they see and not what Hollywood or Madison Avenue dictates so it was a big jump.

ME: Can you tell us if maybe you and your character Monica share some similarities?

KIM: Well, we’re both about the same age and we’re both single. And we’re both brave and courageous in some ways. She scared me, Monica, because she’s angry and people don’t like angry women but she’s also hurt and I wanted to get inside of that and see what that was like instead of always playing someone fabulous and in control and has all the answers, I wanted to play someone who didn’t know where to go who was at her wits end and it opened up a whole new world for me and the choices I make I will continue to do that. It’s a very exciting time in my career. I’m very happy.

ME: That leads to my next question.. You are an icon for so many women, a symbol of strength for many. Can you talk about how that feels?

KIM: Sometimes its overwhelming because I am flesh and blood and I am scared just like everybody else is. But I’m not scared of trying to work things out. I’m not scared of trying to be something I’m not. I love women. I come from very strong women, English north of Liverpool women and they have given me a tremendous foundation to go about my life and be responsible and my work now...I don’t have children. I’m single so this is really my passion, even more so now.

ME: And how do you feel with women like you in the industry are such pioneers? Where do you think we are going in what is still very much a man’s world?

KIM: I think it’s hopefully changing, slowly but surely. I’m now a producer. I have a production company. I have a project I’m trying to get off the ground. The fact that this film was made, the fact that Sex In The City 2 was made or One was made or MAMMA MIA was made starring women in their 40s and above, shows me that there is change. Is there enough of it? No. And a lot of it is unfortunately being consumed and being made into something less than originally intended.

ME: One more question… How does it feel to have your film screen here in Aruba during the 2nd annual Aruba International Film Festival?

KIM: It’s very exciting. It’s thrilling. You know, you never know if your film is going to go out there in any form or on DVD and we’ve had a life and a lot of really good films have not. But I think our film is special. And it got me and I care.

ME: Well, congratulations. See you inside!

Interview by: Vanessa McMahon

photos by Vanessa McMahon