I remember Anthony Perkins saying, "Real is not necessarily interesting." So real is not enough. But what happens as an actor is that you're really trained to listen and to be open and have empathy. It's such a natural consequence that you end up being more political. You can empathize with the mother whose kids are going to be sent to Iraq, or you can emphasize with the mother who is losing their child to a disease. How could you not then be active? So you're automatically drawn to that aspect in the rest of your life.
Susan SarandonI think where you get into trouble - for instance the mixing of sex and violence - is when you're telling an audience that this horrible thing is enjoyable. The suffering just gets out of hand too much. It becomes pornographic.
Susan SarandonSo I would hope they would develop some kind of habit that involves understanding that their life is so full they can afford to give in all kinds of ways to other people. I consider that to be baseline spirituality.
Susan SarandonIt's a very exciting time in the history of this country, to even see people responding to a different way of doing business and really wanting to make a change.
Susan SarandonEvery time you enter into a job it's a whole new universe. There's a new language with a new power structure. If you are in an all Black cast its a different dynamic, the same with an all male cast or a crew that is mainly women.
Susan SarandonNow, Tim has been really, really busy, and it's been my job now to kind of deal with everything. And trying to figure out how we balance that, logistically it's a nightmare. But these little jobs make it much easier.
Susan SarandonSuffering should not define you as a woman! And just because youโre a man it doesnโt mean that it doesnโt affect you! HELP HER to remove the taboos and the loneliness surrounding this disease; be understanding, show empathy, and donโt accuse her of being sensitive, delicate, or overly dramatic โ this is a big opportunity for you guys to show that you care and to be a real man!
Susan Sarandon