Hollywood whirlwind Natalie Portman has been moving on to bigger and better things with her career. In some instances, it’s a bit of a bummer, like her no longer being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaving poor Thor without a mate, but she’s getting comfortable in the director’s chair right now. Many actors find themselves dabbling with directing from time-to-time, with Portman following in that distinguished lineage with A Tale of Love and Darkness.
As it turns it, the role of director is one that Portman felt that she had to grow into, says US Magazine. Back in 2008 Portman directed a short called Eve, which featured legendary actress Lauren Bacall. Bacall, who has a staggering 72 roles to her credit over the span of her career that dates all the way back to 1944, has worked with tons of directors and she was less-than-impressed with an indecisive Portman back in 2008.
“I must be honest: She did not like me, but I loved her and admired her so much. She sensed in me what I learned later about myself … that I had a really hard time saying what I wanted and being the boss.”
Portman, like many before her, struggled with the idea of being in charge after spending so much time in front of the camera, but Portman claims that she has grown a lot since then and that Bacall’s criticism of her was a big part in her personal growth as a director. A Tale of Love and Darkness is a period piece entirely in Hebrew, making Portman’s major directorial debut leaning on the side of the artsy scale compared to some of the blockbusters that she’s been known for.
(Via US Magazine)
