Emmanuel Itier: Wow–great movie. I cried at the end.

Reese Witherspoon: Really…?

EI: Yeah–beyond being a parent and a husband, I’m a citizen of the world. As such, I’m angry at all these fuckers out there fucking up our beautiful planet because of their greed and illusions of power!

RW: Wow!

EI: There is no reason why we have war, misery, poverty… It’s all about a lack of will and therefore an absence of ways. But all the elements, the resources, the men are on this planet right now, everywhere, to seize peace and make it BE…

RW: Indeed, this is so true…

EI: It’s all about the illusion that every man is an island, when actually we’re all connected. We are all part of the big, whole, wide world. And was it, for you, one of the attractions to this film–to reflect on this matter?

RW: I’m indeed very excited to be part of a film that has an international flavor and perspective. Also, it has an international cast and a South African director, so it’s a reflection of what you’re saying–that we are a “global village” and need to be responsible on a global level. Also, my character is the quintessential American, and she will make people realize what it is to live a life with religious intolerance and with racial profiling as a threat.

EI: Is there also a desire to paint America not into the “cliché” of the imperialist it’s known for, but with a human visage?

RW: As you were expressing it, we’re all international citizens. All of us. It’s so easy to get anywhere in the world, so we’re very much global. I think we need to realize we are just people with the same dreams and goals of happiness and peace, and wealth and health. All of our lives, everywhere, are very similar. We’re all parents, brothers, sisters…and we’re all linked.

EI: This is true. We’re all Domino pieces, and if I fall, you fall. If I stand, you stand…

RW: Yes, and this is why each government on this planet has to act with global responsibility, because any policies they make, anything they do can have a horrible repercussion and alter the course of the world.

EI: You’re one of these rare actresses who dares. You dare to be and act different, whether it’s in Freeway or Walk the Line or Rendition, you always offer us a daring Reese. Is this a goal of yours, to be a daredevil?

RW: Ha! [Laughs] I have not a very boring life, that’s for sure! I’m very busy, and my children also are keeping me busy. I like being “daring,” as you say. I like to do a different thing every day. I like to be interested in people, discover new people, new horizons…

EI: Speaking of people and discovering new horizons, what did you discover when you prepared for this film—especially, what did you discover about Muslims?

RW: That a lot of Muslim Americans are living a very regular life, like us. And this is why some of them are very sensitive to the prejudices and the intolerance they can be the victims of. They really are living the same lives that you and I are living. So we need to recognize this and realize the difference between the smaller groups of Muslims that can do horrible things. These are not the Muslims living in America.

EI: The movie is also a look at how the notion of “family” has changed. Was it an interesting point for you to observe and express?

RW: Yes, I think so. We are, as I said, all very similar now in our desires, dreams, and ideas of what a family is. We are all mixed, and this is great.

EI: Are you surprised to be where you are today in your career–the success of your life? I will always remember the shy actress I met once at some premiere some 15 years ago, and the now Academy Award winner…

RW: Yes, this is quite surprising and amazing, the life I’ve had so far. Certainly every day I’m happily amazed by what happened to me. I wanted to be a doctor…and here I am! It has been wonderful.

EI: Do you think success comes with gaining lots of confidence in yourself? And confidence is a tough thing to gain in a society that always picks at you and tries to keep you in the box…

RW: It’s important to not talk people down and make sure you recognize the value of everyone. Indeed, a big part of being successful and finding your way is to find some level of inner confidence. You also have to be a genuine human being and not be judgmental. Just be yourself.

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