Interview in Los Angeles: Julia Roberts talks to blue News: «There are many people who make me nervous»

Julia Roberts is the protagonist of «After the Hunt», a comedy of the MeToo genre. In Los Angeles she told blue News what she thinks of the movement, why she “snorts” when faced with the topic of the role of women in film and what was her greatest moment of glory at school.

Together with the director Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts sits on the sofa in the bar of the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, right under a series of photos of Tina Turner in action on stage.

The Hollywood star rolls up the sleeves of his blazer and crosses his legs.

It’s time for the all-round blue News interview: “I’m running at half my brain power,” she immediately jokes, pointing out that she’s already given several interviews in the last few days, and she’s tired.

Nonetheless, the «Pretty Woman» star offers us some interesting insights into her world, both in Los Angeles and during the press conference in New York. We have summarized the key points.

Julia Roberts her…

… his children and the MeToo trap

I’ve never really understood these attacks, but that’s the way of the world. You cannot protect children completely, but you hope you can equip them with sufficient knowledge, understanding and attention. I worry about all my children equally. There are different risks for all of them.

My daughter is a strong girl, but it’s not like I worry about her more because she’s a woman. She assures me to be very careful when walking around the city. I also don’t want her or me to always live in fear that something might happen to her, because that reduces the quality of life.

…who is the best person to trust

I think we all have that voice inside us, or that feeling, that tells us what to do when we meet someone: get closer or take a step back? I definitely have full faith in my inner voice. It has always served me a lot in life.

…the omnipresence of mobile phones

I happened to enter rooms where every person was staring at a smartphone with their head down. I once said out loud: the only thing I know about you is who should rethink your hairline. It was the only thing I saw.

… about your right to privacy

We all have the right to privacy, even those who spend part of their lives in the spotlight. You need to be able to decide how open you want to be. For me this has changed over the years. Today it’s easier for me.

I no longer feel like I’m offending someone if I don’t want to answer a question. When I was younger, I thought it was bad manners not to do it. Now I realize that it’s not about good manners, but about what I want or don’t want to do with certain information.

… about moments of silence

We all want to be heard and seen for who we truly are. If I don’t say something – which rarely happens – it’s because I don’t have the right words at that moment. Sometimes it just takes time.

… roles that she particularly likes

I’m very demanding. I’m waiting for something I’m unlikely to find. I don’t have to love a character like Alma in «After the Hunt», but I feel a lot of empathy for her. There’s a lot that’s broken about her and she’s trying to protect herself. It was interesting to take it apart and let the light come in through the cracks.

He has completely different instincts than mine. She’s fun to play. In this film, I was also drawn to the small town setting. And then of course from Luca and the ensemble.

I must have spoken to one or more people from the cast again since we shot the film in August 2024. This shows that we obviously experienced something significant together.

… the co-stars who make her nervous

There are a lot of people who make me nervous. It’s exciting when someone you’ve admired for a long time, but have never met, comes to your house.

It was like this with Chloë Sevigny. All of a sudden he shows up at the door, she has this rush [devastante] and it hit like a nail in the coffin of my fears. It was a lot of fun.

…received a slap in the face from actress Ayo Edebiri («The Bear»)

He actually slapped me in «After the Hunt».

Director Luca Guadagnino asks: but not so much that it hurts, right?

Honestly? There is no such thing as a pleasant slap. [ride]. Ayo is amazing. She is so thoughtful and innovative. She is a great representative of her generation. We had a lot of fun. He takes his job very seriously, but also knows when to put it aside and have fun. I like this too. We are awkward in the same way. You can’t walk around all day in serious mode.

…the development of female roles on screen

We always and only talk about the development of women in cinema. Why not also talk about the development of men? It makes me turn up my nose a little, because every character is different. Some are powerful, some weak, some enlightened, and some lost, and it doesn’t matter if it’s 1920 or 2004.

… one of his great moments of glory at school

My English teacher amazed me with the “Canterbury Tales”. And he showed us the film «Becket». It was the first time I could identify with older English men. I felt their pain and cried their tears. I will forever be grateful to her for this.

… what subject do you imagine teaching?

If I were to teach myself, I would probably be a home economics teacher. It’s something you can do for a living.