Striking beauty Melissa George is from Australia and now taking over Hollywood. This young actress recently appeared in the remake of The Amityville Horror, as well as in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive and The Limey. She also appeared in the TV shows Alias and Friends. In 30 Days of Night, she is striking back at vampires and is emotionally involved with actor Josh Hartnett.

Emmanuel Itier: What was your approach about “vampires,” and what is your symbolism about them? What do vampires represent to you?

Melissa George: Well, this is a new breed of vampires in 30 Days of Night. I have never seen this type of vampire before. They kill with no moral–they kill for food, which is quite unusual. They don’t want to produce more of them. They are quite an elitist group. Also, the look they have is almost human but not totally, and they have these razor-like teeth. Also, their eyes are quite frightening–they show no soul whatsoever. For me, the symbol they represent is all about seduction and animal instinct. We are all fascinated by vampires. Also, they are about immortality–about the idea to stay alive for 500 years.

EI: Are they also a symbol about a certain “freedom of speech” that we don’t have any more in our society, where everything needs to be politically correct and censored?

MG: Yes, I think so. Today you have to be careful about what you say and what you do. Vampires don’t care about being PC! They live by their animal instinct and do as they please. They are totally free to do whatever they want when they want it.

EI: What will you keep from this experience?

MG: Lots of good stories and good friends. Nothing really spooky happened, and the atmosphere was very relaxing and fun. But it was an intense shoot because we shot mainly at night, and it was quite cold. Especially at the end, for the scene where I’m in an upside down car, this was really tiring and cruel. Also, for me it was about being a strong woman. Not necessarily a kick-ass girl, but I wanted to have a message about how a woman can stand for what she believes in and how she can fight back like a man. The film also is about the notion of sacrifice. Eben (Josh Harnett) is scarifying himself for his love ones. This is something you don’t find in our selfish society–the notion of giving it all to someone else–giving it up, your own life. This is such a powerful symbol of love. But sometimes it happens in real life. I remember this story in Venice, during winter, about a man who saw his wife jump in a canal and how he jumped as well. And both of them died. It’s about Romeo and Juliet…

EI: Does anything scare you in real life?

MG: Well, I’m afraid of rattle snakes. I found one in my backyard recently, and this was a scary experience! Also, I’m always scared of the possibility of somebody breaking in my house. But I’m not afraid of vampires. I know they are not coming to knock on my door!

EI: Do you believe in the notion of evil and paranormal events?

MG: No, I don’t. I need to see it to believe it! I’m very pragmatic.

EI: Why do you think there are so many horror movies made?

MG: Horror is a great way to release your anguish. It’s like a cathartic experience, to watch a horror movie. It makes you feel alive, in a way, because you face your demons–you get rid of this inner fear that we all have. Here, for me, it’s more about a graphic novel being brought to the big screen, like 300 or Sin City. It’s not your typical horror movie.

EI: How was working with Josh Hartnett?

MG: Phenomenal. He is a such a great guy, and we had four months of constant laughing. He took care of me. It’s much better when you have a good script and also a great leading man. And again, New Zealand was so much fun. I love Oakland, where we shot a lot of the movie, and this was perfect. The people are so nice, and it’s beautiful. I also loved the action in the movie, and I never felt bored. It was a very emotional drama to shoot.

EI: It seems you travel a lot in your private life.

MG: Yes, I do. I spend time between Buenos Aires in Argentina and New York. But I also often fly to L.A. for business meetings and to visit, from time to time, my family in Australia. Like my friend Naomi Watts, I’m going to spend lots of time in New York these days. But I will also always fly down to Buenos Aires.

EI: Are you a fan, in general, of horror movies?

MG: Well, not really. I liked Nosferatu, of course, but I mainly love films by Wong Kar Wai or Pedro Almodovar. I love movies like Life is Beautiful. They make me feel alive. But I’m a fan of this particular movie, 30 Days of Night, because it’s original and it’s interesting.

EI: What are you doing next?

MG: I had a very busy year, so you will see lots of me in the next few months. I’m in Music Within, with Ron Livingston and directed by Steven Sawalich. After this, I will be in Was, with Selma Blair and Stellan Skarsgard. I’m also in an HBO series called In Treatment, with Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest. I’m also going to shoot an action film in Berlin with John Cusack and directed by Jan De Bont. It’s called Stopping Power. So I’m fortunate to get that much work these days, and I love to work. I love to lose myself totally in my work.

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