My Irish Roots Helped Me in My Latest Role

By Benji Wilson
Irish Independent
October 30, 2013

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/judi-dench-my-irish-roots-helped-me-in-my-latest-role-29709023.html


As one of Britain's acting greats, Judi Dench is probably best known for playing Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown or 'M', head of M16, in the Bond films.

But the classically trained actress had no problem switching on an earthy Dublin accent for her latest movie, Philomena, the true story of Philomena Lee who was banished to a convent, for the 'sin' of having a child out of wedlock in 1952.

Then again, Judi has been studying the lilt from a young age. "[Philomena] is older than me but not much, so I can identify with her past and I can identify with Ireland.

"My Ma and her family were from Dublin."

Based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, the film, out on Friday, tells the story of Philomena's 50-year search for her son, Anthony, who was bundled into the back of a car aged three-and-a-half and never came back.

With the help of journalist Sixsmith (played by Steve Coogan in the film), she finally discovered her child, renamed Michael, had been adopted by a middle-class Catholic couple from St Louis, Missouri.

Tragically, it was too late for a reunion: Michael, a successful lawyer and rising star of the Republican Party, died in 1995.

"It made me very angry," admits Judi, "but what struck me much more was Philomena's level of forgiveness and her belief and faith.

"Even now that's completely unshaken. I was just arrested by her incredible compassion."

While many actors think meeting the person you're playing can muddy the waters, for Judi, who's already tipped for an Oscar for the role, it was a must.

"I met Philomena beforehand and then two or three times during filming," she says. "I just wanted the impression of her so that you have something in front of your mind.

"If you met her, I suppose you'd think, very nice, smart Irish lady, but then you suddenly realise what an absolutely remarkable person she is.

"I have no doubt at all we'll be in touch again."

For her part, Philomena (80) is just as full of praise for the woman playing her on the big screen: "She got me to a T – I felt I had known her all my life."

"They showed us a tiny bit of the film at the wrap party," adds Judi, who made her first appearance at the Old Vic in 1957.

"Suddenly there was [Philomena's] little boy on the screen and the only remark I heard her say was, 'Ah, God love him.' I hope she feels we told her story properly."

Despite the heart-breaking subject matter, mum-of-one Judi reveals there were plenty of laughs on set too.