Well, I'm half Australian, half English and I live in London. That is the only reason I came upon this story. My Australian mother, Meredith Hooper, was invited in late 2007 by some Australian friends to make up a token Australian audience in a tiny fringe theater play reading of an unproduced, unrehearsed play called 'The King's Speech.

I was always obsessed with finding truly researched images to add authenticity, out of that came something totally contemporary and modern. Research is very key to my process because over and over again, reality provides more interesting images than you could have invented.

I don't even like football.

Some of my most special shooting experiences have been at weekends.

I think directors can become overly infatuated by gilt and gold, and the word "lavish" and everything being magnificent.

I think English film is very embarrassed by patriotism, generally.

Great acting is all about being in the moment, being in the present tense.