Opening this Friday is director Joe Wright’s adaptation of the classic Leo Tolstoy novel Anna Karenina. The film takes place in late 19th century Russian society and stars Keira Knightley as an adulterer who questions her happiness. In true Wright fashion, this isn’t exactly a straightforward adaptation; the director has set much of the film in a lush theater that uses over 100 interconnected sets to allow the action to move fluidly through a door and into a separate setting entirely. The film also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Olivia Williams. For more on Anna Karenina, here's Matt's review, five clips, and all our previous coverage.At the press day for the film, I spoke to Keira Knightley. We talked about her working relationship with Joe Wright (they've previously made Atonement and Pride & Prejudice), how she found out Wright wanted to tell the story in an unconventional way, her love of doing long takes, and why she wanted to do Kenneth Branagh's Jack Ryan. Hit the jump to watch.Kiera Knightley:
- Talks about how she found out Joe Wright was changing the way he wanted to tell the story
- Talks about the way Wright has unique camera movements and his long takes
- Talks about how she loves doing long takes without cuts
- Why she wanted to be part of Jack Ryan
