Taking climate change personally17 March 2009
Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite tells us why he felt compelled to be the anchor man for The Age of Stupid.
Think of the actor you want. Then Google him.
That's how director Franny Armstrong bagged Pete Postlethwaite for The Age of Stupid.
Pete plays an archivist in 2055 wondering why we didn't stop climate change when we had the chance.
And Franny hopes he will help her film turn millions of us into climate activists.
Why did you get involved in Age of Stupid?
[I play] a human being who is mortified at what's happened - and perplexed. I understand him because I feel that.
I had no difficulty at all in deciding to do this part. Some things just have to be done.
I got interested in climate change mainly through Jacqueline, my missus. Her Open University course six or seven years ago started to make us aware of what was happening.
It's something we've got to live with and do something about now.
Any surprises?
As far as I was concerned it was a voice-over. Then I turned up on the day and there were all these cameras.
I was amazed that for a film that contains so much information it actually kept me gripped. It is very moving. And the opening section - that's Spielberg eat your heart out.
Aside from helping launch a global campaign are you greening your own life?
There's lots we can do in our own little worlds. It is a question of altruism and economics.
We're getting a wind turbine at home. We live on a hillside. But I don't think it'll look like Teletubbies - I hope not.
Insulate, insulate, insulate. Everybody can do that. In a way it's an economic thing. I just don't want to pay the bills any more for electricity or gas.
Check out the Age of Stupid website to buy tickets or see if a cinema near you is showing the film.
© Spanner Films
