South African-born actress Charlize Theron is not one to be concerned about maintaining her good looks.
Which is completely different from her beauty-obsessed character Queen Ravenna in 2012’s Snow White And The Huntsman and its sequel, The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
But the 40-year-old does not need to worry about her looks as she is one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.
Theron is ravishing in person, with minimal make-up and dressed in a chiffon tunic paired with three-inch rocker booties.
“I think there is a lot of misplaced value in how women feel about themselves,” said the former model at a press conference yesterday at the Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa.
“Snow White may be a fairy tale, but there is a very strong story in there for women.”
The Oscar winner explained that Queen Ravenna’s obsession is a reflection on how “the society has made youth a very strong currency among women”.
Theron was in Singapore with her The Huntsman: Winter’s War co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Jessica Chastain for the Asian leg of the publicity tour, as was director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War opens here on April 14 and is based on characters from the Snow White and The Snow Queen fairy tales. It explores Queen Ravenna’s backstory, including her obsession with beauty and youth, and the relationship with her younger sister, Queen Freya (Emily Blunt).
Hemsworth and Chastain play Eric and Sara, two huntsmen caught between the two sisters.
Theron felt the story is “powerful as it showed how lonely and desperate Ravenna is despite having good looks”.
“I constantly worry for my little girl and for other girls. I want (them) to know that they are worth so much more than how they look.”
But does the mother of two adopted children – four-year-old boy Jackson and eight-month-old girl August – see herself as a role model for the fairer sex?
“I think there is a sense of responsibility to myself as a woman. I want to do something authentic and truthful, something that will resonate with other women.
OWNERSHIP
“Women have to take ownership and start changing the concept that we wilt like flowers, while men age like fine wine.”
Theron said one factor that made her agree to star in the sequel was to be in the same film as English actress Blunt.
“If Emily isn’t married, I’d marry her instantly… I love her so much,” Theron proclaimed with a laugh.
“We had instant chemistry from the first moment we got together. We just couldn’t stop chattering.”
Theron said having Chastain in the movie made filming even more fun.
“Jessica and Emily are two actresses whom I really admire… they are my peers, but they are also the people who raise the bar for me as an actor.
“Their work are so inspiring. To get to work with not one but two really strong powerhouses together is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
joannes@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 5, 2016.
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