Amid all the scandals and controversies plaguing Hollywood and the Oscars, the seemingly endless flurry of accusations and accusations, talking to Jude Hill feels like a restorative balm. Instead of solemn criticism, he reminds you that the film industry can be associated with joy, fun, adventure and talented people doing something they love. He makes the meeting with Anthony Hopkins sound like the embrace of a soft, giant teddy bear. This actor is a credible emissary of such unusual stories, because he has just spent a year working with the Hollywood machine, and has remained untouched by cynicism. It may help that he is 11 years old.
“It was such a fun trip. I met a bunch of really, really nice people along the way and I really hope to do more acting in the future. I can’t wait for that, “he said. Jude probably won’t have to wait long, given the applause for his stellar turn in Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical homage to his hometown.
Jude speaks through Zoom from his home in a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Framed by an artfully hung white sheet, it is composed and articulated and looks a little older than Buddy, the character who lived, but the glittering abundance is the same.
“I think he’s starting to calm down now,” says Jude. “I feel good going to school with my friends and playing with them on the playgrounds. I have always been and will be Jude Hill. But yes, the return to normalcy was a relief.
Hey Jude … Director Kenneth Branagh and Jude Hill on the set of Belfast. Photo: Rob Youngson / AP
By this he means the whirlwind that began in 2020, when he defeated 300 hopes to play Buddy, the son of working-class parents, played by Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balf, who are agonizing whether to leave Northern Ireland at the dawn of Trouble; Kiaran Hinds and Judy Dench play Buddy’s grandparents. The riots form the backdrop of a lyrical adult story that won Brana Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Jude also won gongs, including the Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Newcomer.
The Oscars have been marred by controversy in recent years over the film industry’s treatment of women, ethnic minorities and informers, but its new star adored almost everything in Tinseltown except the heat. “People in Los Angeles are really, really nice – in fact, they’re too nice and super fun. You can sit down and be friends with them right away. ” No one remarked on his accent, although some American film critics have grumbled that Belfast should have had subtitles, a suggestion that Jude eloquently kills. “I don’t think there is a need for subtitles, to be honest, just paying attention will probably work.”
Accompanied by his parents, Jude found himself on the red carpet a little sweaty and utterly fascinated. The Belfast cast secretly shared Twizzlers, American sweets, to keep them going all night. “I think it was my first. It was very nice.”
Jude was amazed to see that the A-list veterans looked as tense as he did. “All the big stars looked a little nervous. I was literally shivering with adrenaline and nervousness. I just said to myself, oh my God, I can’t believe I’m here. I kept pinching just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I think if someone goes to the Oscars, they will be quite nervous, because I would say that this is one of the biggest events in the world. All these celebrities … they were like me – they were trembling, jumping around. “
During commercial breaks, he toured the Dolby Theater, exchanging greetings with celebrities. “It was just a perfect night. These are the only three words that describe it: perfect night. All those famous people there are laughing, having fun. It was so cool to be a part of it. “
Which brings us to Will Smith. Asked about the actor’s attack on host Chris Rock, there is a pause. “Well, I love Will Smith myself because I met him at several of the other awards ceremonies, and he was probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” says Jude. “He complimented my suit and said, ‘This is fire.’ And I will always remember that compliment. ” There is another pause. “The incident that night was… yaaah.” His face tightened, his voice trailed off. In short, Jude is lost in words. This is a melancholy moment, cracks in innocence.
Anthony Hopkins walked past him and hugged me. Wow, that was such an accent. What an aura it betrays
“Some of the audience thought it was a play. There was 10 seconds of awkward silence because neither of us was sure if it was a joke or not. Everyone wrote on their phones to see if it was true. No one really knew tonight until we all got home. Jude is clearly agonizing how someone obviously good can do something bad. “Personally, I love Will Smith. He is one of the funniest, most exciting and kind people I have ever met. ” He’s not sure what to do with Smith’s 10-year Oscar ban. “I’m just an 11-year-old, I don’t really pay much attention to social media, but I heard it. I’m not so sure how I feel about that. It’s very mixed at the moment, I have to say. “
The smile returns when Jude remembers meeting Anthony Hopkins at the post-Oscar governor’s ball. He walked past him and hugged me. He said, “I loved your movie, oh my God, what a masterpiece.” I was frozen in shock, saying to myself, “Jude, this is Anthony Hopkins, say something, just tell him something.” Jude gathered to thank Hopkins and praise his work. “Wow, that was the accent. What an aura it betrays. Talking to him just made me feel so confident and calm. “
Safe and calm with the actor who froze a generation with his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter and forever changed the way we think about chianti and fava beans? But then The Silence of the Lambs came out in 1991, two decades before Jude was born. He knows Hopkins as Odin, Thor’s father in the Marvel franchise. “In Thor: Ragnarok, he was very emotional. I cried a lot while watching this movie. This man is an actor. “
Film Family Бел Belfast cast (left) Luis Makaski (Will), Kaitriona Balf (Mom), Judy Dench (Grandma), Jamie Dornan (Ba) and Jude Hill (Buddy). Photo: Rob Youngson / Focus Features, LLC
Four months to less than 12, Jude may sound like an old pro. He no longer worries when he is locked up by strangers. “They ask me, ‘Are you that Belfast boy?’ The idea of someone coming up to me on the street or at the airport and saying, ‘Oh, I know you,’ is a little crazy, but I like it. It’s pretty cool. “
Jude’s balance is remarkable. After being cast as Buddy, he explored the history of Northern Ireland. “Before Belfast, I didn’t know what the problems were. I don’t think a child my age would know what the problems are unless their parents or grandparents are affected. “Books, movies and documentaries are filled in the blanks.” It really helped get into the minds of people from “I think Northern Ireland is much calmer now than it was then, and I’m grateful for that.”
There is a scene in Belfast when Buddy, essentially young Brana, is in a movie, mesmerized by the flickering screen. The actor who plays him looks at his acting career in the same way, despite the obstacles. “I know this is a very, very difficult way to go down. You don’t get a share every second, “says Jude. He shrugs, smiling. The future is a blank, creamy page. “I will continue to audition and return my calls, and I hope to receive one.”
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