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Five minutes with… Mischa Barton
She's starring in the new David Attenborough film Closing the Ring (in cinemas now).
How did you land the role in Closing the Ring? "I had heard about the script beforehand, but I met with Richard (Attenborough, the Director) at my house because he’s a friend and we had lunch. We were talking about the script and the character and we just really clicked and felt the same way about everything. I felt so comfortable with him, so that was a beginning. Shirley MacLain was already attached to the project, to play the older version of my character so it was really exciting for me. I knew I wanted to do it right away."
How it was working with someone like that? "It was great! It was really great to work with Shirley because she’s such a fun person. Because of the nature of the script, filming was split up into two different parts. She shot her scenes first, so by the time we got around to film my part I’d seen Shirley’s performance and where the character was going, so that was really cool too. "
You’ve been busy filming a few movies over the last 12 months, so how often do you get time off? "Not that often! But I’m excited because next I’ll be staying at home for some holidays for awhile."
What’s the difference to you between acting in a film and a TV program? "It’s an exciting time for me, because I was on a TV show for three years and now I get to mix it up. It’s fun just to try different things. I’m doing my fifth project in a row, so after this I’m definitely going to take a break. It keeps me doing things and it keeps me challenged. The characters I’m doing are all completely different and I get to change my look every time and so that’s fun for me."
Do you have a fashion icon? "My fashion icons growing up were all those women like Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg and rock stars from the 60’s because they had such cool style – it’s sexy and comfortable. Definitely the picture that I had on my wall was of Marianne Faithfull in The Girl on a Motorcycle. She was my icon."
Do you ever get tired of being in the spotlight? "Sometimes. It’s not such a big deal and it depends on how much you’re working. I can still go and chill out at certain places where I just get to be me. And I’m so lucky to have my friends and family because they’re so supportive and I love them so much. I just don’t spend too much time in LA. I keep moving around, otherwise it gets overwhelming."
Where are you now and what are you doing? "I’m in Ireland because Closing the Ring is premiering here tonight, so I came over to see Richard, plus Shirley (MacLaine) is here doing press too. I just took some time out of filming because I honestly just love to see Richard and its great to come here and spend a few days with him."
Are you quite close with your family? You get photographed with your sister quite often. "Yeah, I’m very close with my family. Definitely."
If you weren’t acting, what do you think you’d be doing? "I don’t know. I find it funny, because I’ve been acting for so long but I’ve always had different things I’ve wanted to do. I get restless quite often. I think probably college, since all my friends are in college and I’m almost jealous of them. I would’ve studied English Literature and Psychology."
What are some of your favourite destinations that you’ve seen in your career? "I love the Maldives. My dad and I are planning a trip to India which will be fun and really cool. I’m going to Mozambique too which I’m looking forward to. I love Australia. I really love it. My sister and I always have so much fun there. I filmed a movie in Brisbane and up along the Gold Coast when I was 15 and so I have really fond memories of spending an entire summer there and all the things I got to do. We drove all the way up to Port Douglas and that was one of the best road trips of my life."
Do you have any Duty-Free must-buys? "Poison by Dior."
Who would you most like to get drunk with? "(Laughs) I don’t know. In reality, my dad. Otherwise someone really cool, like Bryan Adams."
How would you describe yourself? "I’m organised in my own way, but I am also pretty last minute."
Whats your favourite place to shop? "I love shopping for anything vintage! In LA there are heaps of vintage shops."
Closing the Ring is in cinemas now.
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