Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Sir Kenneth Branagh: Knighthood 'surreal' (BBC NEWS)




Actor and director Kenneth Branagh has said it was "a surreal experience" to have been named on the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The star has been knighted for services to drama and the community in Northern Ireland.

Branagh, who returns to TV screens in detective series Wallander next month, called the honour "very touching".

He is also preparing to direct actor Chris Pine in a film about author Tom Clancy's fictional hero Jack Ryan.

Branagh told the BBC about his latest project, returning to the role of detective Kurt Wallander, and how he feels about being called "Sir Kenneth".

What does this honour mean to you?

It would be amazing at any time, but in this Jubilee year it feels very special and absolutely fantastic. So many people are pleased for me and pleased about it.

It seems to me a tribute to everybody that I've worked with and learnt from, over 30 years of making films and being involved with British theatre and film and television. It's very special.

You have received an honour that has been given to some acting greats - how does that feel?

I started being interested in acting when I heard the voices of Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud and Sir Alec Guinness. I've had the great privilege of working with Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Anthony Hopkins. These are people who inspire the work that I do.

Having first encountered that kind of actor when I was 15, from a long-playing record in the school English cupboard, to be at this point where you can be, in some way, amongst their number, it's a very humbling thing.

There are some amazing stories from all over this country, where people's work and contribution has been acknowledged. To be part of that is an absolutely fantastic feeling.


READ MORE:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18493574


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