Going to the movies has always been a vital part of Olivia Colman’s life, so it’s no surprise she jumped at the opportunity to play a downtrodden cinema worker in her latest film, Empire Of Light.
The Oscar-winner grew up in Norfolk and says her teenage trips to watch the latest releases in Norwich were life-changing.
“As I got older and I became a teen, I discovered the Arts Cinema and it was a game-changer,” she tells us. “I felt very cool that I was going to see some arty films, and I discovered a whole new genre of filmmaking that I didn’t know existed before. Going to the cinema was a big event – travelling into the city for an hour to go and see a film – that was very exciting.”
Prior to that, The Crown star says she hadn’t always been able to watch the films she wanted – something that didn’t do her many favours socially. “I’m reminded of sleepovers where we’d all try to get scary films,” she recalls. “I’m still not one for scary films. But when it was my turn for a sleepover, at about 10 or 11, I said to my mum, ‘Please, can you get a really scary film?’
“All the other girls had films like A Nightmare On Elm Street and I just wanted to be as cool as them. Well, my mum went into the video shop and she said, ‘I’ve got you A Christmas Carol.’ I said, ‘What?’ And she said, ‘Well, it’s got ghosts. I thought that would be scary.’ I was so embarrassed I pretended that the video shop was closed. That was really not cool.”
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 16, 2023 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities