Natalie Portman Urges Caution in Early Film Career Pursuits
Emmy and Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, best known for her role in "Black Swan," encourages young individuals to avoid diving into the film industry too hastily, emphasizing their importance in nurturing personal growth and education. In an interview with "Variety," Portman, aged 42, voiced her thoughts on this matter, drawing from her experiences as a 13-year-old breakthrough actress in the film "Leon: The Professional."
Portman acknowledged the stroke of luck that protected her from potential harm within the industry, expressing gratitude towards her "overprotective and wonderful" parents who played a significant role in shielding her from any potential hazards. Portman stressed that children should be encouraged to play and attend school rather than jumpstart their film careers at a young age.
Despite her early film success at 13, Natalie Portman recognized that young people should prioritize their childhood experiences and focus on personal development, rather than heeding the allure of the entertainment industry.
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Natalie Portman defended her stance against the early start of a film career in an interview about her role in "Léon: The Professional." Here is a recap of her arguments:
- Criticism from Moralists: Portman criticized the moralists who criticized her and her parents for permitting her to portray a mature role at 12. She argued that such judgement often stemmed from the reviewers' personal biases and issues rather than genuine concern for her well-being[1].
- Personal Autonomy: Portman emphasized that she herself was not the one engaging in any questionable behaviors that the critics were objecting to. She pointed out that she merely acted in a role, not reflecting her real-life actions[1].
- Misguided Criticism: Portman highlighted a critic who wrote a harsh article about her, focusing mainly on her appearance, and suggesting that she might mirror Linda Blair. She questioned what film this critic had actually seen, implying that the criticism was unfounded and was likely based on a misunderstanding of the film[1].
- Separation of Reality and Fiction: Portman asserted that acting is a form of pretend and that the content of the film should not be perceived as real. She noted that sometimes people's reactions to the film say more about themselves than the film itself[1].
In essence, Natalie Portman argued that the criticism she faced for launching her cinema career at an early age was mostly misguided, stemming from the biases and issues of the critics rather than a genuine concern for her well-being or the content of the film.
