10 Questions for Natalie Portman
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The Oscar-nominated actress answers readers' questions with TIME's Carolyn Sayre
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What was it like working with Scarlett Johansson in your new movie The Other Boleyn Girl? —Michael Nassar, College Park, Md.
They never put two young women together in a movie where both parts are really strong. Usually, if two women are of the same age in a movie, one is the lead and the other is the best friend. It was amazing to get to work with her. I admire Scarlet's work so much. She's an incredible actress.
Do you think today's films are excessively violent? Should the government do something about it? —John Price, Beijing
I think the world's excessively violent. It is hard to say where that originates—whether it's a reflection, or it's reflecting, the world. I think there should be protections in place for parents so that they know what their kids are being taken to, but I don't believe in any control of art.
Will you ever retire from acting? —Luda Klein, Jerusalem, Israel
I don't know. It is impossible to predict where you're going to be—I change so quickly.
Is it difficult to lead a normal life with the paparazzi? —Bob Garrett, Albany, N.Y.
I'm relatively lucky, though it does get worse and worse. There are choices you can make about where you live that help. I really don't enjoy being in Los Angeles or certain parts of London. New York is getting pretty rough too, because anyone who can get a camera can be a photographer.
Do you think there will ever be peace between the Israelis and Palestinians? —Mara Zivkov, Belgrade, Serbia
I think there will be. They are two incredibly wonderful and educated cultures. I don't think anyone really cares about the down and dirty specifics of what the deal is. The majority of people just want their kid to be able to go to school, play and not be afraid.
You have been compared to the late Audrey Hepburn. Did you grow up emulating her sense of style and global consciousness? —Amy Lynch, Tallahassee, Florida
She was definitely someone I admired growing up—I watched her movies over and over. I was also incredibly influenced by the kind of work she did outside of her acting career. It's a compliment, but I think saying that anyone is like her is an insult.
Do you believe that Michael Vick should be allowed to play in the NFL after his awful abuse of dogs in his care? —Giles Troy Page in Cary, N.C.
I think mistreatment and cruelty to animals should be treated with the same seriousness as cruelty to people if not more. Animals are clearly never at fault.
I know you have a love for animals, if you were an animal, which one would you be? —Rafael Calzada, Davenport, Mich.
An elephant—I love elephants. I saw them a lot in Kenya right before I was in Uganda. I think they have such deep levels of emotion and communication. They're amazing animals.
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