1/6
Kate Winslet spoke exclusively to Switzerland about her role in the second part of the “Avatar” series.
Berit-Silja GründlersEditor People
When Kate Winslet (47) enters the interview room, one is amazed at first how such a delicate person can bring so much presence. But the British actress is aware of her effect, laughs and says: “I haven’t done any of that for so long. I hope I can still do that.”
With “that” Winslet means the press hype surrounding the release of the mega blockbuster “Avatar – The Way of the Water”. With a look, she talks about her role as Ronal, the chief of the Metkayina clan.
This is a people who live in Pandora, the world of Avatar, on land and in the ocean. Director James Cameron (68) created more than 13 years after the first part “Avatar – Aufbruch nach Pandora” a world that fans can only dream of: bright sea creatures in countless colors, giant whales, tiny octopuses, shimmering corals. On the other hand there are people who want to exploit this ecosystem, who hunt down the inhabitants of Pandora.
About the world of «Avatar»
In 2009, director James Cameron (78) created the world of Pandora with the first part of the “Avatar” series, an earth-like planet on which the Na’vi people live. Humans can make contact with the aborigines through the use of engineered Na’vi bodies and mind transference. US Marine Jake Sully falls in love with the chief’s daughter Neytiri during a mission. The humans want to exploit Pandora for its variety of raw materials and wage a bitter war against the Na’vi. «Avatar – The Way of Water» is the second part, taking place ten years after the events of the first film. Sully and Neytiri have three biological children and two adopted children and have to flee from human attacks. The family seeks protection from the Matkayina, a clan that lives on land and under water.
“Avatar – The Path of Water” will be in Swiss cinemas from December 14, 2022”
In 2009, director James Cameron (78) created the world of Pandora with the first part of the “Avatar” series, an earth-like planet on which the Na’vi people live. Humans can make contact with the aborigines through the use of engineered Na’vi bodies and mind transference. US Marine Jake Sully falls in love with the chief’s daughter Neytiri during a mission. The humans want to exploit Pandora for its variety of raw materials and wage a bitter war against the Na’vi. «Avatar – The Way of Water» is the second part, taking place ten years after the events of the first film. Sully and Neytiri have three biological children and two adopted children and have to flee from human attacks. The family seeks protection from the Matkayina, a clan that lives on land and under water.
“Avatar – The Path of Water” will be in Swiss cinemas from December 14, 2022”
The Winslets – a loud, energetic family
Right in the middle, Kate Winslet’s character, Ronal, manages her clan, her family, and the threat of the invaders with strength and stoic toughness. “In my clan, i.e. the people who are closest to me, I’m not that similar to Ronal. I’m more the one who solves the problems in the family. When something is up, it’s usually like, ‘What does Kate think, let’s call her.'”
According to the mother of three, her family is loud, energetic and crazy. «When we’re on the road, we might just burst into loud singing; and anyone who knows us is probably thinking: Oh God, there are the Winslets again.”
And yet the circle to the clans from “Avatar” also closes in her private life, reflects Kate Winslet. “When I think about it: Traditions and rituals are very important to us, we’ve been singing the same songs for ages, we dance to the beat of our own music, somehow.”
The fearless clan boss
Kate Winslet (47) has an Oscar and five Golden Globes in her awards cabinet. The British-born actress became world famous in 1997 with the mega-success “Titanic” penned by director James Cameron (78). With her Oscar-winning role as concentration camp guard Hanna Schmitz, Winslet developed into an absolute character actress. In “Avatar – The Way of the Water” Kate Winslet plays the clan boss Ronal. For the role, she learned how to dive without oxygen.
Kate Winslet at the British Academy Film Awards.
DUKAS
Kate Winslet (47) has an Oscar and five Golden Globes in her awards cabinet. The British-born actress became world famous in 1997 with the mega-success “Titanic” penned by director James Cameron (78). With her Oscar-winning role as concentration camp guard Hanna Schmitz, Winslet developed into an absolute character actress. In “Avatar – The Way of the Water” Kate Winslet plays the clan boss Ronal. For the role, she learned how to dive without oxygen.
Unpredictable Conditions
When the Oscar winner talks about her family, her husband Abel Smith (44), the three children and her sisters, she becomes gentle and humorous. When it comes to her work, she is focused, clear and passionate.
25 years after the mega success of “Titanic”, Winslet is shooting again with the Canadian director James Cameron for “Avatar – The Way of the Water”. And this time, too, water is the most important element. A circumstance that made the Brit nervous: “During the shooting of ‘Titanic’ we completely flooded the set, the water was moving and we were at his mercy. It was very unpredictable.”
Kate Winslet breaks UK freedive record
But the concern was unjustified: the underwater world of the Metkayina was shot in large indoor pools and under very controlled conditions, as Kate Winslet explains. “I knew I could do it. I feel good in the water, I’m a strong swimmer.” In general, she is a physical, active person, Winslet continues.
Although she keeps hearing that her acting doesn’t belong in the action corner, the Brit sees it differently. “I always wonder why that is. I like doing stunts. Even when James said we had stunt doubles that I didn’t have to worry, I made it clear to him that I wanted to do as much as possible myself. So I learned freediving, which fascinated me a lot.» What Kate Winslet modestly keeps to herself: The actress set a British freediving record of seven minutes and 12 seconds under water without air.