Theron: Women are worth more than their looks
Oscar winner Charlize Theron talks about new film The Huntsman: Winter's War and its message for women
South African-born actress Charlize Theron is not one to be concerned about maintaining her good looks.
Which is completely different from her beauty-obsessed character Queen Ravenna in 2012's Snow White And The Huntsman and its sequel, The Huntsman: Winter's War.
But the 40-year-old does not need to worry about her looks as she is one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.
Theron is ravishing in person, with minimal make-up and dressed in a chiffon tunic paired with three-inch rocker booties.
"I think there is a lot of misplaced value in how women feel about themselves," said the former model at a press conference yesterday at the Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa.
"Snow White may be a fairy tale, but there is a very strong story in there for women."
The Oscar winner explained that Queen Ravenna's obsession is a reflection on how "the society has made youth a very strong currency among women".
Theron was in Singapore with her The Huntsman: Winter's War co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Jessica Chastain for the Asian leg of the publicity tour, as was director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan.
The Huntsman: Winter's War opens here on April 14 and is based on characters from the Snow White and The Snow Queen fairy tales. It explores Queen Ravenna's backstory, including her obsession with beauty and youth, and the relationship with her younger sister, Queen Freya (Emily Blunt).
Hemsworth and Chastain play Eric and Sara, two huntsmen caught between the two sisters.
Theron felt the story is "powerful as it showed how lonely and desperate Ravenna is despite having good looks".
"I constantly worry for my little girl and for other girls. I want (them) to know that they are worth so much more than how they look."
But does the mother of two adopted children - four-year-old boy Jackson and eight-month-old girl August - see herself as a role model for the fairer sex?
"I think there is a sense of responsibility to myself as a woman. I want to do something authentic and truthful, something that will resonate with other women.
OWNERSHIP
"Women have to take ownership and start changing the concept that we wilt like flowers, while men age like fine wine."
Theron said one factor that made her agree to star in the sequel was to be in the same film as English actress Blunt.
"If Emily isn't married, I'd marry her instantly... I love her so much," Theron proclaimed with a laugh.
"We had instant chemistry from the first moment we got together. We just couldn't stop chattering."
Theron said having Chastain in the movie made filming even more fun.
"Jessica and Emily are two actresses whom I really admire... they are my peers, but they are also the people who raise the bar for me as an actor.
"Their work are so inspiring. To get to work with not one but two really strong powerhouses together is an opportunity of a lifetime."
Women have to take ownership and start changing the concept that we wilt like flowers, while men age like fine wine.
- South African-born actress Charlize Theron
Jessica Chastain has a nose for durians
US actress Jessica Chastain loves her durian.
While many consider the fruit smelly and repulsive, it is her favourite.
The 39-year-old wasted no time indulging herself upon arriving in Singapore for The Huntsman: Winter's War publicity tour.
The redhead's love affair with the fruit started over a decade ago when she was in Thailand filming the miniseries Blackbeard.
"I was in Thailand for four months and discovered the fruit there, and immediately fell in love with it," she said at the film's press conference yesterday.
"I had it when I was in Singapore a few years ago. Actually, every time I come to Asia, I'll make sure I'd eat it.
"We don't get it in the US, so for us, it's very exotic."
Chastain is also adventurous when it comes to film projects. She is known for dramatic roles in films such as Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Interstellar (2014) and last year's The Martian.
She also starred in gothic romance Crimson Peak last year. Now, she tackles her first action role in The Huntsman: Winter's War.
"I approach it as how I'd approach any film," said the two-time Oscar nominee, adding that she spent about five weeks doing stunt training in New York and London.
Co-star Chris Hemsworth, 32, was impressed by her ability to take on all the fight sequences.
'FANTASTIC'
"Jessica was fantastic, and making it more impressive was that she did all of her fight scenes in high heels," said the Australian, best known for playing Thor in the Marvel films.
"I remember being blown away after watching the first big fight sequence we had. She made it look so easy," he added, laughing.
Hemsworth and Chastain also share some romantic moments.
He said: "We are lucky we got the chemistry right. Jessica and I have a lot in common, so we just hit it off."
Chastain chipped in: "You got to be open with your co-workers.
"You can't expect to have chemistry if you go back to your trailer or leave the set after every take.
"We all hung out on set and so we got to talk a lot and were able to get to know each other better."
As to whether fighting Hemsworth or kissing him was more difficult, Chastain laughed and said: "Fight scenes burn more calories."
We all hung out on set and so we got to talk a lot and were able to get to know each other better.
- US actress Jessica Chastain on being open with co-workers.
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