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Kate Dickie • Actress

Shooting Star 2007 - UK

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A well-known theatre actress, Kate Dickie starred in several television series in Scotland and UK. In 2006, she landed her first film role in Andrea Arnold’s Red Road [+see also:
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, winner of the Jury Prize at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Dickie also won the Scottish BAFTA Best Actress and British Independent Film Award (BIFA) in 2006. She answered our questions very openly, displaying a friendly and enthusiastic personality, quite different from Jackie, the emotionally damaged character she plays in Arnold’s excellent psycho-thriller.

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Cineuropa: Jackie is a lonely and obsessive Glasgow CCTV operator who wants to take revenge on Clyde (Tony Curran), the ex-convict who ruined her life some years before. How did you get into character?
Kate Dickie: Jackie is a very different role from the ones I used to play, but I felt like I knew the character. I understood where she was coming from. A lot of that must have been in Andrea’s writing; she wrote such a great character. Jackie doesn’t really pre-determine too much; she just gets caught up in something that is kind of compulsive. During shooting, I felt in safe hand thanks to Andrea’s presence and the excellent way she directs actors. Andrea knew exactly what she wanted.

What sort of film projects are you attracted to?
I don’t know… I think I’d like to act in some light and fun movies. I have recently played many damaged characters (Electra, to mention but one) so I would like to do some funny characters. I’m not so miserable in real life!

What directors would you like to work with?
I would love to work with directors such as Shane Meadows, Peter Mullan, Mike Leigh and Ken Loach.

What does being a Shooting Star represent for you?
It is a wonderful opportunity. At first I was both shocked and delighted. It’s a great opportunity to get to know a lot of people and meet European directors, actors and casting agents. I think it will be fun as nobody knows me and I don’t know anybody!

Would you like to go to London for more work opportunities?
Unless I receive an important offer outside of Glasgow, I would like to stay there, even if there are less opportunities for cinema and television. I think I’m too lazy, I don’t have the style to live in London…

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