DEADLINE: How did you get involved withOh, Canada?
Im so glad I did.
I love Paul Schrader.
Richard Gere and Uma Thurman in ‘Oh, Canada’Oh, Canada LLC
THURMAN:No, I didnt know him.
I mean, Ive certainly been in a room with him here or there.
But no, I didnt know him.
Uma Thurman at theCannes Film FestivalRocco Spanziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Now I do, and Im all the better for it.
DEADLINE: What grabbed you about it?
THURMAN:The script.
I think its probably more clear filmed than it was on the page.
It was such an unusual read.
DEADLINE: How would you describe it?
But its also a very lyrical, sort of loosely knit, poetic, kind of dream-state illusion.
So, written down, I found it more confusing than it is on the screen.
DEADLINE: Is there anything it’s possible for you to tell us about your character?
THURMAN:I play a woman who has dedicated her life to documentary filmmaking.
She married her professor, whos played by Richard Gere.
She went to work with him and found much success.
So, shes married to an older man that she passionately adores, and whos dying of cancer.
Hes sort of her mentor, partner, and husband rolled up into one.
Shes being present there with him as he processes the end of his life.
I dont think theres a spoiler alert about the fact that its the end of his life.
DEADLINE: What kind of shoot was it?
Its like the wind that hits you when you get off a plane in the tropics.
Theres only one thing of its ilk, and hes kind of a master like that.
You could really be anywhere; you cant miss it.
you’ve got the option to fact-check me [laughs].
I think Im right, but Im not pigheaded about rightness.
DEADLINE: What kind of discussions did you have with Paul about the movie?
It seems theres a lot to debate there, a lot to talk about.
THURMAN:Oh, I wouldnt be able to vaguely answer that.
I read the book, and talked to Paul, and kind of understood his feelings about the author.
I didnt find that there were things to debate with him about it, really.
Its one man writing about another mans lived experience, told in a fictitious narrative.
DEADLINE: Its interesting, though, that its about a documentary filmmaker whos debunking his own myths.
Its about getting at the truth and asking, what even is the truth?
Your character says at one point, I know everything I need to know.
What does that mean, to you, in terms of that idea of reality versus filmed reality?
So, her confidence in this greater truth doesnt mean…
It means shes unbuffeted by the things that contradict it, the facts.
[Pause].Perhaps.
DEADLINE: Had you worked with Richard Gere before?
THURMAN:With Richard?
DEADLINE: But you hadnt worked together since then?
THURMAN:No, no.
It was a very beautiful cast.
Theres Michael Imperioli, whos great.
We went to go see his Broadway debut last night,Enemy of the People.
Basically, Paul does attract very inspired and inspiring people.
He has very good taste.
DEADLINE: In people or in material?
THURMAN:In all things.
His legacy is basically one of the main vertebrae of the backbone of American cinema.
DEADLINE: He never makes the same thing twice.
Well, he does sometimes make similar films, but he doesnt rest on his laurels.
Do you have a particular favorite of his?
THURMAN:I dont know.
We were talking aboutCat Peoplelast night.
You cant make the same film over and over.
You cant pass multiple generations the same cup of tea, per se.
He is quite special.
DEADLINE: Whats next for you?
THURMAN:Im going to Cannes, and, after that, I dont know.
When everyone was on strike, I just kind of cooled my jets down.
I havent figured out yet what Im going to do next.
DEADLINE: Are you looking forward to Cannes?
You must have been quite a few times now.
THURMAN:I have.
DEADLINE: Its been 30 years sincePulp Fiction.
What are your memories of that occasion?
THURMAN:Oh, it was extraordinary.
I wish I had been there.
I was shooting something else, so I wasnt there when it won.
Thats a real sadness and a regret, that I wasnt able to be there when it won.
DEADLINE: What would you say Cannes means to you?
THURMAN:Its really special.
I mean, Ive had so many films play in the festival.
