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Rhys Ifans interview: The 51st State (2001)

Promotional image from The 51st State

Interview by Jane Crowther; previously published on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Movies.

Last updated: 28 November 2008

You're involved in a memorable scene in The 51st State in Anfield football ground - was that good fun?

We weren't actually at Anfield for that, it was a set, but it was a big buzz to have guns, motor cars, and football in the same film.

Your character is very into yoga. Have you ever been tempted to have a go yourself?

Well, I've been really experimenting with breathing in and breathing out. As for a guru, yes, I do have a guru - he's in The Priory at the moment.

Do you think the setting of Liverpool was important to the film?

I think that Liverpool's particular modern history lends itself to the cinema better than London in many ways. When you go to Liverpool you absorb that whole sound and humour.

It's a harbour town and before computers it would have been the equivalent of surfing the web, that's where all the information came in and left. And that type of culture is a very vibrant, busy place to be.

What was it like working with Samuel L Jackson?

It was alright, but now I know that he wasn't wearing anything under his kilt the whole time... well, I don't know. I thought it was another actor!


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