STACK NZ Jun #63

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Feature

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Dakota Johnson submits to the role of Anastasia Steele in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. BLUE STEEL

This is a big film for you. How did you get the role and what does it feel like at this point to be in your shoes? Dakota Johnson: Well, I auditioned for it – and auditioned and auditioned... It was a crazy process. And sometimes it feels scary because it is such a high profile project and people have had an eye on it for a while. It makes you feel a little scared, watched and judged. But I cannot live my life wondering what people are going to think of me. So I am excited for it. I think we have done a good job.

for people to not be ashamed of their sexuality, whatever it is, then that is great. The film is directed by a woman, the book is written by a woman, and the screenplay was written by a woman. Do women do erotic fiction better than men?

Did you hesitate at all to take the part or did you just jump in?

I think that a woman has a greater attention span for the emotional undertones of a sexual story. Erica (author E.L. James) and (director) Sam Taylor-Johnson and (screenwriter) Kelly Marcel – I think that they really captured the things that made readers continue reading the book. If it were all just sex scenes, you would get kind of bored. You do not because you are fascinated with the story between these two people, the trust that they have, and the fact that they completely, ultimately, love each other. And that they both change for one another. I think that the women behind the movie really amplified that.

This movie embraces sexual awakening in a way that it is not a taboo subject.

I hesitated, for sure. But the whole time I mostly was just really intrigued by it. I was really interested by it. The emotional journey that Anastasia goes through is something that I have not seen in a movie in a long time. It was interesting to me… And I wanted to try and bring humour and strength to a woman who most of the world views as a sensitive little creature. Why was that important to you? Because I think that it is okay for women to be sexual. I think that it is beautiful. And think that it is especially beautiful that Anastasia Steele has so much self-worth and grace and

strength, and then she discovers a sexual side of herself. She tests her limits and her boundaries. And I think that that’s important to do in every aspect of your life… This movie embraces sexual awakening in a way that it is not a taboo subject. And it should not be. If I can in some way bring a strength to the character, that shows Anastasia as an advocate

JUNE 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.co.nz

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