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Peter Sarsgaard, a 52-year-old American actor who has been nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Emmy, first appeared on screen in the 1995 movie Dead Man Walking. He has also appeared in notable films such as The Batman, An Education, Jackie, and The Lost Daughter, which was directed by his wife, actress-director Maggie Gyllenhaal. The couple has two daughters together. Sarsgaard will be portraying the character of Saul, who has early-onset dementia, alongside Jessica Chastain in the upcoming film Memory, directed by Michel Franco. He received the Volpi Cup for best actor at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for his performance in this film.
Congratulations on your success as the winner of the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival. Can you share your thoughts on the excitement of awards season in your profession?
No [laughs]. It’s a necessary part of my job in the way that there are parts of everyone’s job. It’s especially good for bringing attention to a small movie like this one. But I’ve learned that it’s a machine that is well beyond my control, and it’s never been about the best thing. These days, the movies that are getting the attention of awards already have probably made a billion dollars, and have people campaigning for them to win.
During your acceptance speech for best actor, you mentioned the potential impact of AI on your industry, given the ongoing writers’ strike. What are your main worries?
Artificial intelligence may have a place in our daily lives, but I do not believe it has a place in art. For instance, I once had someone try to convince me of AI’s greatness by saying, “See, I can command it to create a Cézanne-inspired painting of my dog catching a Frisbee!” While I do now have such a painting, it lacks the human touch that comes from someone actively learning and creating. The act of doing is what brings meaning to our lives. I truly believe that humans crave engagement, while AI only creates disengagement.
Is the character you play in Memory a man of the same age as you, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia? Did your personal experience with your uncle’s struggle with the condition affect your portrayal of the character?
Dementia is a condition that impacts friends and family more profoundly in the long-term than the individual experiencing it. Instead of portraying the disease, I aimed to embody the character of Saul, for whom dementia played a significant role in his life but did not define him.
Who is your uncle?
He was really smart and ebullient. I’d love walking into a room when he was in it when I was a young boy – he was a fireman, he played football and was always up for a rumble. After his diagnosis, he still greeted everyone as if he knew and loved them, just in case he did. We think he had CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] which developed into dementia from playing contact sports.
Did you also participate in competitive soccer as a child? Do you still enjoy watching it now?
I stopped participating in sports at my college due to head injuries, but I still have a passion for it. I am a fan of Liverpool and admire players Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who show vulnerability but can also make impressive plays. I have made the mistake of trying to exercise while watching a game, and find myself imagining being on the field. On weekends, I sometimes listen to games on my headphones while having breakfast with friends, and if they seem occupied with something else, I’ll sneak away to watch the game on TV.
Who are some actors that you currently look up to?
Paul Mescal is a talented actor whose portrayal of sexuality is confident and captivating on screen. He brings a raw authenticity to his performances, such as in his role in Aftersun alongside Saoirse Ronan. This new generation of actors is quite distinct from my own.
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How?
Perhaps growing up watching real things on YouTube or Instagram feeds has given younger people a taste for reality. My generation was fixated on male legends like Pacino and De Niro, and actors used to base a lot of their acting on other movies, so we were imitating others, which made what we did less real. That’s not the case any more, which is great.
Maggie, your wife, directed you and Jessie Buckley in a sexual scene for The Lost Daughter. You have expressed that you would highly recommend it to others. What makes you feel this way?
The experience was not sexual, but it did diminish the control of something we believe constantly motivates us. It was a close and collaborative effort between the three of us. I enjoy collaborating with Maggie because she pushes me to express myself, both in my work and in my personal life. Our next project is The Bride, a grand romantic tale following a couple on the run, in which I will have the opportunity to act alongside Penélope Cruz once again.
How do you unwind?
I have experience in writing screenplays, but recently I have been focusing on shorter pieces that bring me joy, such as bite-sized stories. In addition to writing, I also have a passion for ice skating. My dream is to visit Scandinavia, where they have the tradition of thin ice skating after the first freeze. This involves wearing long blades and skating at high speeds, causing the ice to crack as you go. For safety reasons, skaters must go in groups in case someone falls.
Have you expressed your political opinions in the past? What are your current thoughts about the upcoming US presidential election?
We must appeal to younger generations to engage in politics by portraying it as an effective system. Currently, the role appears absurd and comical. During my youth, we had politicians we supported and opposed, but there was a belief that they were fundamentally good. Politics should aim to draw in more idealists instead of individuals with a tendency to steal.
What are some roles that you would like to portray in the future?
I have a strong desire to portray a musician, or to showcase my singing and dancing abilities. Upon arriving in New York, I had the opportunity to perform in a production with Meredith Monk, titled “American Archeology,” on Roosevelt Island. Even though I am at a stage in my life where I would likely play the role of an experienced choreographer, I am still eager and willing to take on such a role.
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Memory will be available in UK and Irish cinemas starting on 23 February.
Source: theguardian.com
