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Old acquaintances: Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell (right) in «The Banshees of Inisherin».
Interview: Patricia Danaher
He himself calls «The Banshees of Inisherin» a «small, very typically Irish film». Because of small! Thanks to the black tragic comedy about a broken friendship, Colin Farrell (46) is about to peak in his career. Having just secured a Golden Globe for Best Actor, his name is now being considered a hot Oscar nominee.
What intrigued you most about the role?
Colin Farrell: I’ve already worked with director Martin McDonagh and actor Brendan Gleeson in See Bruges…And Die? worked together. That was some time ago…
In the year 2008!
Has it really been 14 years? Man, those are the moments I hear my mortality knocking on the door. In any case, since then we’ve talked about filming together again. And then came this extraordinarily good screenplay for “Banshees” and it was clear to me.
Her film hero, Pádraic, lives on the fictional Irish island of Inisherin and is suddenly ignored by his lifelong friend and drinking companion Colm, seemingly for no reason. The social media generation calls this ghosting. Has this also happened to you?
You mean in terms of breakups or relationships? Sorry, I don’t want to comment on this topic. Because otherwise we would be sitting here for a very, very long time (laughs). I think the ghosting in the film is a mature achievement. You first have to manage to completely avoid someone else on a small island.
As an actor you have to travel a lot. How do you manage to maintain your friendships?
Good question. Of course, technology helps to keep in touch. However, I don’t really like to use the phone, and writing messages isn’t really my thing either. The good thing is that I’ve known most of my friends from Dublin since I was a child. And you don’t have to maintain these friendships, they last. Sometimes you can’t see each other for a year or longer and yet we continue where we left off.
Personally
Colin Farrell (46) is the youngest of four children of an Irish footballer. From an early age he earned his living with commercials. His most famous films include “Miami Vice” (2006), “See Bruges … and die?” (2008) and Batman (2022). Farrell was once married and has two children. He was heavily addicted to alcohol and drugs for years before entering a rehab clinic in 2006.
Colin Farrell (46) is the youngest of four children of an Irish footballer. From an early age he earned his living with commercials. His most famous films include “Miami Vice” (2006), “See Bruges … and die?” (2008) and Batman (2022). Farrell was once married and has two children. He was heavily addicted to alcohol and drugs for years before entering a rehab clinic in 2006.
Nowadays, people often prefer to write to each other rather than talk to each other in person. Has it made it harder to form or maintain deep relationships?
I believe face-to-face conversations are important. We live in an age of video snippets on social media. Many get their information from there instead of having a conversation with other people and finding out more. When you exchange thoughts with your counterpart, both sides are more willing to open up. However, sharing your opinion online can be dangerous.
How so?
Because other people make it their business to value your opinion. It’s no longer about an honest exchange, but about judging others who don’t exactly share your views. And you will quickly be deleted from our Cancel Culture.
In the film, Pádraic’s friend worries about his professional legacy and whether he will be remembered after his death. As a legendary actor, do you worry about going down in Hollywood history?
no I don’t see myself as legendary. For me, my sons, whom I have raised for 13 and 19 years, are the only important legacy for me. Only my children count.