Here are some photos from this past weekend’s 14th Marrakech International Film Festival. Viggo Mortensen screened his new film there, plus he was honored with a lifetime achievement award (presented by Melanie Laurent). Viggo looks good here, doesn’t he? I’m happy to see that his weird easy-breezy blonde phase is over and he’s currently doing the salt-and-pepper thing. He’s 56 years old right now.
Variety did extensive coverage of Viggo’s speech – you can read the piece here. Apparently, he spoke in French through most of his acceptance speech, but offered some words to Arabic as well to the mostly-Arab crowd. Some highlights from his speech, plus some quotes from a press conference:
We must try to see how we’re similar: “Different zones of the world seem to be really different, but when individuals from different backgrounds are forced to work together they often find that they’re not so different from each other. By showing this we can help people see eye-to-eye. This is particularly important in places torn by conflict, such as Israel, Syria, Libya or Egypt. It may seem to be impossible to bring people together, because of differences of religion, economics, race, class, politics or money. But if you don’t try, nothing will change. You have to try. Knowledge isn’t just about power. It’s also about freedom.”
Awards don’t make you better: “I don’t think that awards make you any better as an actor. They don’t enable you to do the job any better. I think ‘Eastern Promises’ was a special case, because it struck a chord. But you never know what the audience or critical reaction will be to your films. It doesn’t change my way of acting.”
His favorite film: Mortensen revealed that he considers Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence” one of his best films to date. “It’s a near perfect film noir/thriller.”
Eastern Promises is such an uneven film, but he’s right about it striking a chord – and he’s really, really good in it. The story is just weak and uneven in some parts. And yes, A History of Violence is probably one of his best films. I think his Dr. Freud in A Dangerous Method was really, really great too.
So, would you hit it? At this point, I would not. No disrespect! I would just rather have dinner with him and listen to him talk about all of his interests.
Photos courtesy of Bouknadelabdou / PixPlanete/WENN.com.
In many cases winning an Oscar appears to be a death knell for your career.
Dicaprio should thank the gods he’s not won one yet.
yeah but thats exactly what Viggo is talking about. People take show business awards way too seriously. otherwise they wouldnt make so many bad choices after winning one. its really that they think they are the best of all time and that they can only do the most awards baity movie ever and end up doing crap movies with overdramatic performances.
I agree.
Its astonishing to me how many Oscar winners of the past 10 years have seen their careers in free fall.
Most of them become more famous for their private lives, or endorsements rather than putting bums on seats at the cinema plex, post Oscar glow!!
Daniel Day Lewis, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Tilda Swinton and many others have done just fine after winning their Oscars.
Actually Angelina’s filmography was poor post Oscar
until Mr and Mrs Smith came along years later and re-energised her.
There are outliers but for each person you’ve mentioned there are 5 others who have struggled film wise and are now famous for other things or their personal lives than actually being in good/hit movies.
but then again, Daniel Day Lewis, or Tilda was never Oscar hungry, they never desired the title “Oscar winner”. So it never shaped their career so much.
thas probably why Jegede wrote “many” not all. there are obviously people with a lot of talent and wise choices, no doubt about that.
its just a very common thing for someone to disappear after winning an award. because that award is only a marketing thing.
its a lot of bad choices as i said above. on the other hand there is only a limited amount of spots anyway. some will be dropped to the sidelines naturally.
it could also be compared to One Hit Wonders. some bands stay around forever, others have one hit for a summer and bam gone. that happens with actors too. you can make a lot of good movies and never win (Hi Leo and Hi Amy) or do one good performance and then go back to sucking.
I’d rather to listen to him talk, too. I’m afraid if I hit it, Viggo would crumble.
Love him. Keeping it real.
Yep, he is awesome.
And so much more!
I agree that his Freud was one of my all time favorite portrayals. That film probably makes psychology historians cry, but the acting was flawless.
He seems really grounded for somebody who’s been in the industry this long. One of my favorite actors.
Just speaking as someone with a psychology degree. I LOVED that film. The cast was fantastic!
The film wasn’t that bad historically speaking. They tweaked some things but not a ton (trust me — there are some cringeworthy ones out there). The movie was really good and very interesting too.
Aye, I was being a tad silly, but its worse crime was probably the embellishment of certain points. I really do appreciate the director’s insistence on giving Keira Knightley first billing, though. Sabina’s contributions to Freud and Jung’s work is something that’s been smoothed over for far too long.
*Swoons*…
Yes, yes I still would. But I’m almost 49, so it really isn’t a stretch.
So good then. He’s mine :).
I’m 45 and I definitely would!
A while ago, Viggo was looking a bit ropey. I thought to myself ”Oh well, age catches up with us all sooner or later, and Viggo has had a good run of it”. But now, he’s looking great again. He could pass for several years younger in these pics.
Oh, yes, he is still delicious, isn’t he? The shorter hair and somewhat fuller face are gooooooood.
I would. He’s hot. And I wish he would give Jennifer Anniston some advice because watching her try hard these past few months is just getting old. I am 100 percent sick of everyone at this point. Let the damn Oscars come so we can stop watching all of the campaigning.
Hi, is this the Over Forty line for Viggo hitting it? Excellent, I will take my place.
I’m 46 and excuse me while I get in line right behind you!
Get in line, my dears!
BTW another thing I love about Viggo – apart from his stunning looks, intelligence and acting talent – is that unlike so many actors his age, he doesn’t go out with starlets 2O years his junior. He seems to prefer women of substance close to his own age. Which kind of makes me think I might be in with a chance…. in my dreams!
Of course we need to have someone like you Ethelreda. It wouldn’t be complete without a comment like yours.
Um, actually he DOES go out with starlets and socialites 20 years his junior if he feels like it. But I think he’s been with the same Spanish woman for years now. Prior to that, though, he did date his friend’s daughter, who was more than 20 years younger than him.
Oh yes, I would hit it! Hard. Then he can talk about whatever he wants to talk about in whichever language.
•Lilacflowers•
Can we add him to our ménage of men? Methinks I need to capitalise that…. Ménage of Men. Hmmmm that has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Yes, Hunky Dude on a Horse shall be owned by The Flowers.
😉
Viggo speaking French? Now that’s a thing I would like to hear. Video please.
He does! He even presented Guy Lafleur in Montréal : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-1x7YJ51uY
•Tinuvielle•
His funny throat noises killed the sexy French speaking parts.
Drats. I’ll just need to gag him instead.
Thanks Tinuvielle!
Used to love him, but a History of Violence killed any physical attraction for him. In spite of that, I do think he’s a fine actor.
I’m only 34 and I’d still hit it, but I’d make him recite some Aragorn lines first, and maybe give him a sword to hold the whole time.
(snorted coffee at this, perfect!)
Agree! Love Aragorn, of course. Does Viggo have a girlfriend/wife?
and an armor to wear? pretty please? ^__^
Yes….I would still hit it. All I have to do is watch a few minutes of A Walk On the Moon to remind me why. And he does look better in these pics than he has in a while.
That’s such a sexy movie, I love him in that role.
If Viggo were sitting across from me having a highly intelligent conversation in French then yes, I may be persuaded to hit it! I don’t necessarily find him attractive in any role other than Aragorn. BUT his eyes are mesmerizing.
I agree with him A History of Violence is such a good movie probably his best. He’s sexy as all get out.
I agree. He was positively made for that role. Perfect combo of manly man and sensitive family man.
“Winning awards won’t make you any better as an actor.”
Tell that to Benedict Cumberbatch.
If someone hadn’t said it I was going to. Don’t mean to thread Jack, but it is sorta topical.
Even though I am 20 years younger than him, I would climb him like a tree.
But he’d have to put that Aragorn wig on first… yum.
hahaha, yesssssss
My favourite viggo movie is captain alatriste. Swoon! I recommend it to all fans.
I don’t think anything, appearance wise, could kill my crush on him.
I preferred eastern promises to a history of violence, Maria bello ruins any movie she’s in.
Thank you for the viggo post, May there be many many more!
Loved Eastern Promises. Such a dark movie and Viggo was great in it!
Meryl Streep, Sally Field, George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Morgan Freeman…
The Indian Runner and Appaloosa are great movies and I really admired what he did in The Road
I was very skeptical about an adaptation of this book but he was impressive in it.
His thoughts on awards make me think about his friend Ed Harris, one of the “always nominated, never rewarded”, who is living proof you can achieve an amazing body of work with zero trophy on your mantelpiece.
I would hit that so hard that whoever pull me out will be the next king if England +1
I think he is really aging well and I’ve also enjoyed most of the movies he has been in. And he is right, awards do not make one better at anything, including acting!
They’re all fixed, anyway.
It’s like there’s a massive machine behind every, say, Oscar campaign. Sometimes the audience sentiment/popularity will sweep a particular actor or indie / low-budget film into a win, but it looks like most candidates have a big marketing team (funded by studios etc) to get the nominations and then the win, for the marketing benefits. But if the acting’s crap or the film’s rubbish, throwing a billion dollars at it won’t help.
Tell that to Angelina Jolie
I love Viggo. 🙂
I can’t remember A History much, but Eastern Promises was a great film and Viggo is an outstanding actor. I was reminded of this when I recently saw Two Faces of January. I love Oscar Isaac too. These guys don’t do superhero or the “everyman” type of films, so they fly under the radar. But they’re such wonderful actors. Viggo’s a bit poetic and arty-f@rty, and he’s a bit senior for me to consider him hot, but he’s just wonderful as an actor. They blend right into the role and I’ve never seen them “acting” in a role.
While I enjoyed the interview excerpts, (and I love History of Violence) my guilty pleasure is watching him in GI Jane wearing those UDT shorts. *sigh*
*shakes fist*
Damn you! I had forgotten about that role!!!
*fans face again*
I couldn’t stand A History Of Violence. Thought it was hokey and cliche and predictable.
We are only a year apart & we share several commonalities that I would love to discuss with him if I were ever to get the chance !