‘The Souvenir’ is an American-British drama film, written and directed by Joanna Hogg. It stars Tilda Swinton, her daughter Honor Swinton Byrne and Tom Burke, Honor Swinton Byrne as Julie and Tilda Swinton as Julie’s Mother!
The Souvenir was presented at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival – world premiere screening on January 27, 2019 at the Ray theatre in Park City.
Dhaka based journalist Tarique Choyon got a chance to meet ‘2007 Academy Award’ (Oscar) winner Tilda Swinton and had a chat with her at Dhaka Lit Fest in Bangla Academy on 9th November last year just after she read an excerpt from the book “Last and First Men: A Story of the Near and Far Future’’.
A short video directed by her was also screened where her dogs performed.
The talks between Tarique Choyon and Tilda Swinton as follow:
Tarique Choyon: Hello Tilda. How are you? I am your big fan.
Tilda Swinton: I am fine. Thank you.
Tarique Choyon: You are such a great actress and a sophisticated lady with down-to-earth sense of humor. Your vocal command is amazing! Everyone loves you and your acting.
Tilda Swinton: Oh! Thank you so much! It’s my honor!
Tarique Choyon: Just like the movies you are amazing today. Congratulations!
Tilda Swinton: Thank you again. You were there in the auditorium!
Tarique Choyon: Yes, I was. Once in an interview you said your acting inspiration came from a donkey. Is it true or a fun?
Tilda Swinton: Yes, it’s true. Actually, I never wanted to be an actress. The best performance I have ever seen and continue to be an inspiration for me is a donkey in 1966 French tragedy film called Au Hasard Balthazar (The story of a mistreated donkey and the people around him).
Tarique Choyon: I know you love animals and also nature too.
Tilda Swinton: I feel everything humans have needed to survive and thrive is provided by the nature. Human beings and animals are complementary of each other and as quick as we realize that is better for this beautiful world.
Tarique Choyon: I have seen so many movies acted by you and loved your acting. You are the favorite actress of my friend Sedef Dundar from Turkey who is a student of Film and Media. I mean, adults as well as children love you though you acted as a white witch in superhit Disney movie Chronicles of Narnia.
Tilda Swinton: (laughing) I don’t think kids get scared now a day by watching scary movies! Anyway, convey my ‘hello’ to your friend.
Tarique Choyon: You get so many movie offers. How you select movies to act?
Tilda Swinton: I work with people whom I can trust and feel comfortable. I always choose people first before choosing a project.
Tarique Choyon: Are you satisfied with your career so far?
Tilda Swinton: You know, I think in a different way than others. I don’t have a career, I have a life. I follow my life and the way I’m living it.
Tarique Choyon: You are admired by everyone at everywhere for your fashion sense. You are looking fabulous in this blue kurta too.
Tilda Swinton: Thank you.
Tarique Choyon: Goodbye now. You might be exhausted. Anyway, belated Happy Birthday! (Tilda’s Birthdate is 5th November).
Tilda Swinton: Thank you so much for remembering my birthday and for your wishes! Goodbye and see you again.