Rachel Weisz Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Rachel shares stories from her performances in The Favorite, The Constant Gardener, The Mummy, The Lobster, Regina, About a Boy, The Shape of Things, The Thief, To the Wonder, Swept From The Sea, Denial, My Cousin Rachel, and Disobedience in this interview on her acting career. She recounts working with Yorgos Lanthimos, her time in theater, moving from the UK to the US in her career, and gives advice for actors on auditioning, finding representation, acting style, and taking direction. This Q&A moderated by Mara Webster is part of the SAG-AFTRA Conversations series, an essential resource for actors, filmmakers and students of discussions with performers, exploring the process and profession of acting.
The views expressed in the presentation materials and films, and by the guests and moderators are solely those of the organization and/or individual providing them and do not reflect the opinions of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, its staff or Board of Directors.
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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most comprehensive, educational and state-of-the-art resources to SAG-AFTRA members. The Foundation believes that the contributions made to our culture by performing artists are not only valuable, but essential.
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0:00 - Intro
1:01 - Theater Group in College
4:36 - Non-English Parents
6:01 - Avante-garde vs. Natural Acting
7:20 - Transitioning to the States
8:21 - Finding Representation
12:00 - Holding and Dropping Characters
13:42 - Auditioning Process
15:25 - The Shape of Things (2003)
17:14 - The Thief (2010)
19:33 - Regina (2013)
20:21 - Film Production
24:21 - Theater Experiences
28:53 - The Mummy (1999)
31:32 - About a Boy (2002)
32:33 - To The Wonder (2012)
33:57 - The Constant Gardener (2005)
37:55 - Denial (2016)
40:37 - My Cousin Rachel (2017)
42:14 - Disobedience (2017)
49:13 - The Lobster (2015) and Yorgos Lanthimos
52:17 - The Favorite (2018)
59:24 - Women’s Issues and Politics
1:03:44 - Swept From The Sea (1997)
1:05:06 - Most Helpful Director’s Note
1:07:55 - Advice for Actors

[@Viviiyeeen]

She is fearless yet fragile and so honest and real. She really is a woman full of excitement and keeping her inner child alive as well as a realist who is so respectful of others. Elegant, eloquent, sophisticated, attentive, engaged, present and inclusive. Just a well balanced woman who illuminates femininity and the power of it. So intelligent yet so simple in her thinking. Unique human being, could listen to her anytime. Weisz as in Wise and so beautiful! Wow wow. So effortlessly natural and so humouristic. I can go on and on.

[@harleyquiinnnn]

What I think is remarkable about her and what's the reason I like her so much - I just realised - is, that she does not only think very intelligently, but also NEVER speaks more than she needs to. She is careful with her words and what she says is of great quality and importance but she never speaks too much. Not in order to gain more attention, not out of nervousness, she just says what's really important and no more. She is so mature and I would love to know her personally.

[@jenniferwong2987]

Rachel Weisz is undoubtedly an extremely intellectual and accomplished actor. Always quite “correct” when holding conversations, no crap answers or beating around the bush. And, NO obnoxious political garbage. Enjoyed watching her performance in The Favourite immensely 👍👍👍

[@camilla60731]

I agree with you,

[@oscarfun100]

Should win her second Oscar for The Favourite. Amazing performance.

[@janelmarie321]

She absolutely should have won for that role. Totally robbed. It almost felt like the Oscars were operating out of a space of affirmative action. No disrespect to Regina King but Rachel’s performance was much, MUCH better than Regina’s in Beale Street. Just my opinion.

[@edie8931]

16:23 i’ve never seen anyone take the lid off a bottle and have a drink that elegantly why is rachel weisz so effortlessly beautiful

[@algernonsidney8746]

Full credit to Weisz for politely refusing to discuss her political views and instead focusing entirely on talking about her acting career which is the reason why she agreed to do this interview in the first place.

[@peacenow4456]

Fabulous interviewer, she drew stories from Rachel so easily and Rachel felt she was talking with a knowledgable friend.

[@SilviaZed]

She is such an amazing actress. And I love how engaged in the conversation she was. She really thinks before answering and she is very genuine. I love her!!

[@laika5757]

Rachel is beautiful. This interviewer is the best I have seen. Would love to see more of her.

[@crystallam7335]

Her beauty and intelligence transcend time, country, and medium. I am so thankful that I was able to grow up watching beautiful strong women like her as role models. She’s definitely one for the ages 💖💖💗

[@WarmBeachWoman]

Great interviewer, excellent questions. Wonderful to hear Rachel's responses. Such a talent, I enjoy her acting, always. I love also that she has her own production company aiming to create more female centered tales. Disobedience is one of the best films I have ever seen. I can't wait to see what future films she is able to make happen.

[@poodlepup97]

The Mummy is one of my favorite movies. I love that it was mentioned!

[@drinkcoffeewithjasmin5938]

I love her. She is my favorite actress. I love nearly all of her movies 🌟

[@marieeast8616]

Me too.

[@TomRipley7350]

The interviewer is excellent.

[@marieeast8616]

Rachel took time to answer the questions. Very thoughtful and honest and I admire her deeply for that. Rachel Weisz you are one of the best and brilliant actress of all time. Good luck to you.

[@asteriaabjelina4065]

Rachel Weisz is such a great and amazing actress.I love all of her movies.

[@rockrboy]

AAAAHH!!! I was *JUST* going to say, you guys should interview more female actors for this, AND was going to recommend Rachel Weisz!!! Thank you!!

[@sofika3095]

Her voice is my asmr

[@harleyquiinnnn]

You profile picture is a mood

[@Danielek71]

I adore her...she is one of my favourite actresses

[@gordonfarrell2718]

What a wonderful woman. Candid , informative but just like us...on a level we all know. Honest....great artist

[@camilla60731]

I truly enjoyed listening to her give interviews and conversations about her life. She is gorgeous and seems like she would be so fun to be around.

[@chewychibi03]

God, yes. She’s a beautiful human. Just a genuine soul.

[@xjma9946]

She is so humble and honest , brilliant interview, informative,meaningful and real

[@harleyquiinnnn]

Exactly what I thought :)

[@vargo0515]

Rachel very beautiful and sweetheart!❤😘

[@jylyhughes5085]

Rachel was superb as Hypatia in Agora ... such a powerful character.

[@ampmri2434]

She was breathingtaking in "Agora".

[@ejm6460]

I find it sad that no one ever asks her about that movie and performance

[@alinnita]

Is so very delightful to listen to Rachel Weisz at any interview!

[@zszs2882]

She is so brilliant and beautiful too. I love the way she acts in her movies. I am from Hungary. 😊😊

[@TimFisheroo]

The Fountain is one of my favorites of her's and a terribly underrated gem of a film.

[@kandorstevenson]

Miss Weisz is brilliant!

[@kiranjafri4123]

If you listen to her interviews and then listen to Daniel, they practically seem to be the same person in 2 different bodies. Even use the same words and tone in their interviews. Makes sense why they are together!

[@masrirahmawati7855]

I really love both of them..Rachel and Daniel.

[@emilypeperakis8676]

this sag-aftra foundation is the best and i'm learn a lot from it

[@dxmxo9427]

Loved Rachel in Agora and The Favourite

[@syreddy74]

My favorite actress, she is beautiful and intelligent

[@kennethcarvalho3684]

I really loved her acting in Enemy at the Gates ..that was a great performance.

[@janetta98]

It was never normal here to clap during a perfomance or so easily give a standing ovation. That all began changing within the past, I would say, 20 years, or so.

[@auralepiphanies4055]

Rachel's intelligence is what makes her so hot.

[@bleumarin1968]

loved her in "Runaway Jury" with another favourite of mine John Cusack

[@FireOpal.]

I absolutely adore her.

[@soniarr9523]

Love this actress!!!!! she is "My Favourite"

[@userb00]

How wise Rachel’s message is

[@samlucas7493]

fast question fast answer..wow! you're brilliant ms weisz genius ! I love you forever😘😍

[@getlauriekor]

My favorite actress.

[@star-monkey]

I love her. Thank you lol

[@lluvia3thkpsp]

Loooove her

[@Muzulive]

She is a true artist! An experienced actress! Unfortunately, the questions were merely shallow... We lost the chance to see a bold conversation.

[@blu7878]

KZbin: An hour about Rahcel Weisz Me: Yes please *clicks* Im such a big fan, I love her so much, she's such a good actress.

[@soniarr9523]

She is very intelligent woman and so strong actress, pretty y lovely girl.

[@SOUPRUN01]

really liked lobster

[@lilith_287]

Rufus Sewell next ! 😍

[@stephenmichalski2643]

Oh god....here I go again......another actors work I'm gonna have to look up and see as many as possible.....haven't been following actors till maybe in the last year......find these people just incredibly engaging and articulate....suppose its something to do with the profession itself that makes them so proficient at projecting such and eliciting that response from me anyways.Didn't really connect her with the mummy immediately.....then when I did it was like.....oh sh-t!!!.....that girl??!!??!!........I remember seeing that and saying who the hell is this chick???....she was like so strong/independent ....so quirky and yet hot as hell......I had to look her up and find out about her.....some women are so hot when their young as she was........then you see them a couple decades later........and their personality/character has grown of course with them and its hard not to think......damn she's even hotter now.She answered almost everything so spontaneously and insightfully ......left me rather mesmerized.Then there was the other side of the table.......even though she might of had the ability to read what her next question was going to be off the paper on the table.....those questions asked so effortlessly ......she wasn't reading them like word for word......the knowledge of the subject matter.....and the pertinence of the questions themselves.....she was like equally engaging and enjoyable as the respondent. Have her interview more!A great interview.Two beautiful women.....two wonderful minds.This channel.....these interviews......kick a--- so eloquently.its silly.

[@studio3ten]

you are JUST like me......'here we go again' and then it embarks on amazing movies/works that I didn't know existed - and finding out about them as people/actors.....love it

[@jessica5497]

@@studio3ten same lol

[@reegstasaurus]

Such a babe

[@flordocampoandrade1136]

Rachel Weisz is wonderful, stunning, smart but seems that she is very tired here.. I love her

[@attagrrlsports]

New mom at 48 and running back and forth across the U.S for all the awards shows will do it! ; )

[@flordocampoandrade1136]

@@attagrrlsports yes, i know..

[@flashonezerothree]

The sound man was out to lunch!!

[@Nazaba09]

How are people still having issues with her last name? The w is a v. THAT’S IT. Mine is more complicated. Eta: gay man and straight Latin American are kind of the same thing. 😂

[@ilanadasilva9192]

Essa atriz e senssacional

[@bhoqeem1975]

Where' Janelle?? Sigh!