Press & Updates

MTV
May 2003

Hugo Weaving, best known for his role as Agent Smith in the "Matrix" films, navigates through a selection of critical favorites at the video store while pointing out previous roles in his own virtual "Me Me Me Festival."

"2001: A Space Odyssey"
One of the great directors of all time, as everyone knows, is Stanley Kubrick. There’s a great character in this called Hal. And Hal has an extraordinary voice. He’s not a human being, but he’s one of the major influences on Agent Smith.

"Romper Stomper"
Here’s a film with an old friend of mine, Mr. [Russell] Crowe. It’s a "bone-crunching" movie, apparently. It is actually. This is an absolutely extraordinary film and I suggest you all see it if you haven’t.

"Aguirre: The Wrath of God"
Klaus Kinski. He’s dead now, but he was a madman as an actor. This film by Werner Herzog, although it’s a period piece, it’s kind of filmed like a documentary and it makes you feel like you’re really there. Everyone dies in the end, but you should see it anyway.

"8 1/2"
This is one of the most beautiful films ever made by Federico Fellini, "8 1/2." That’s kind of Fellini’s, well, it’s like his life. It’s beautiful.

"Children of Paradise"
It’s on everyone’s top-ten list and it’s also in mine. It is a masterpiece. It is utterly beautiful. It’s very long, but who cares? It’s gorgeous.

"Kind Hearts and Coronets"
A colonel (?) film about a goodie. It’s a very, very — it’s a black comedy, a classic black comedy. Alec Guinness plays, I think, about ten different roles in it. And it’s a gem.

"About a Boy"
It’s quite fun. Toni Collette, I think, is just about the best actress in the world. She’s got a little cameo role in this, but she’s wonderful.

"Bad Taste"
Bit of Peter Jackson here, "Bad Taste." Very bad taste, fantastic film. Peter Jackson is, of course, the "Lord of the Rings" director.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"
Agent Smith doesn’t turn up in this one. Well, sort of, in another form — he’s got pointy ears. This is pretty good. … Someone’s having a Me Me Me Festival!

"Babe"
We’ve got to do another "Babe," I think. I only do trilogies: three "Matrix," three "Lord of the Rings," two "Babe"s.

"Proof"
Actually, this is my favorite, by a wonderful director called Jocelyn Moorhouse. It’s got Russell Crowe and a great Australian actress called Genevieve Picot.

"The Interview"
This one is also a favorite, which you may not have seen. It’s basically me talking to this guy at a table. And it’s "riveting."

"The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"
"Priscilla," of course. That’s fun. [Pointing at video cover] Which one is me? The one with the nice ass. There’s Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp.

"The Matrix"
This is the first big budget film I ever did, really. I’ve worked on a lot of small films in Australia. This was a big departure for me and it turned out pretty big. An extraordinary experience. We filmed it over a long time. I got to get pretty fit and it was totally grueling, but wonderful to do. The two directors Larry and Andy Wachowski were great friends and geniuses. If you haven’t seen it, I’d be very surprised.
 

These are my three picks: "Children of Paradise," "8 1/2" and "Aguirre: The Wrath of God." And I’m going to go and watch them now just before I go and see the premiere of "The Matrix Reloaded."