The most important thing in my life, and the thing I try to focus on, is to try not to live a life of cruelty. That means trying to make sure I look people in the eye when I meet them. Sometimes you jump in a taxi, or maybe you only have two minutes with someone, and you never see them again. I try to always look them in the eye and have a real experience of what it is to communicate with someone.
Jessica ChastainI am the first one in my family to go to college and I felt a great responsibility when I was at school, because my family was making so many sacrifices for me to be there. I was raised by a single mother, my grandmother got on the plane and helped me move to New York and moved me into the dorm. It was just a big moment, and, yes, it was my dream to be an actress, but also I didn't want to let them down.
Jessica ChastainIt's a fact, the majority of films in Hollywood are from the male perspective. And the female characters, very rarely do they get to speak to another female character in a movie, and when they do it's usually about a guy, not anything else. So they're very male-centric, Hollywood films, in general. So I think it's incredible that Ned Benson, when I said I'd love to know where she goes, says okay, I'm going to write another film from the female perspective.
Jessica ChastainI donโt mind if the character is a small character, but I would just like her to have a journey in the film. Sometimes the characters are just there as a prop to further the manโs story. The great directors Iโve talked to, Iโve said listen, I donโt mind playing a woman that is a tiny part, but how does the story affect her? What can I play in the end thatโs different from the beginning? Otherwise, it doesnโt make sense, because itโs just like being a prop.
Jessica Chastain