Hiya

The USA Today has a great article in which it talks to some nominees. Here’s what Nat had to say.

Natalie Portman (actress, Closer) called in from Israel, where she’s studying at Hebrew University and in rehearsals for the film Free Zone.

Q: How did you hear this morning?

A: “Kelly (Bush, her publicist) called me, and then my mom called me.”

Q: When you read the script, did you think it was Oscar material?

A: “I just thought it was a role that was really complex, and the story was really accurate and strong. And obviously the opportunity to get to spend every minute for three months with Mike Nichols means everything.”

Q: Have you seen the other performances in your category?

A: “None of these movies have come out here yet ? everything comes out like six months after (the U.S. release), and I’m not an academy member so I don’t get the tapes. But when I was in the states, I saw Sideways, and I’m always such a huge fan of Cate Blanchett (nominated for The Aviator). And you know what? I saw Laura Linney (up for Kinsey) also. She was wonderful. I’m really, really excited to see Hotel Rwanda (up for three awards).”

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the big day?

A: “The best part of the Golden Globes was when I left the ceremony and I had like 40 messages from all the people I love in my life. All of my friends and family. People who I haven’t talked to in a while. People who I know could really care less about it, but they’re still proud of me no matter what.”

Q: Who will you bring?

A: “My parents definitely!”

Q: Have you spoken to Clive (Owen, her co-star, also nominated) yet?

A: “I haven’t, but I would love to. I don’t even know where to call him or if he’s awake or anything.”

Q: There were four great performances in Closer. Why do you think you and Clive were singled out?

A: “I have no idea. For me, the film was such a collaboration. If one member of the team hadn’t been up to the challenge, we all would have fallen. It was such a group effort that it’s sort of hard to be separated because everything I did was related to what the other actors did.”

Q: What was the hardest thing about this role?

A: “Because I liked all the actors so much, it was so hard to have cruel scenes, because so many of the things we did and said to each other were so cruel. It’s amazing how hurtful it feels to have these things said to you.”