Tilda Swinton's Transformation

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Tilda Swinton's Transformation

Tilda Swinton is frequently known, as she puts it, "an art freak." She usually looks otherworldly, but in her latest film, "Julia," she looks very worldly.

In the movie, she plays a self-destructive alcoholic who kidnaps a tycoon's granson in hopes that the ransom will fix all her problems.

She spends the movie doing odd jobs, having one-night stands, or in a blackout.

She felt that the alcoholics that are usually shown in film are nothing like the drunk people she's known and loved.

Instead, she experienced them as courageous and energetic.

Swinton doesn't drink (alcohol makes her fall asleep), so she had to ask friends about their experiences being drunk.

For the role, she had to gain weight and chain smoke. She also had to be covered in bruises.

She says her character has no boundaries.

The director of the film, Erick Zonka, says Swinton could be described the same thing. He described her as present and bold.

Swinton, for her part, says she isn't afraid of transformation. "That effort to sustain the status quo has never been something I’ve personally been drawn to."

Gina Wilhelm Actress