Tilda Swinton (as Martha)

The point I was making is that we are absolutely in the room next door to everyone all the time. The film is about not looking away on the micro and the macro level. And it was a very interesting moment because here's the thing. Those people who came to make a statement in that room I believe dignified that room.

And it was of interest to me that Pedro and I, as Europeans, in concert, immediately offered them our microphones. And that that was apparently remarkable. It's something to do with the fact that we're brought up in unarmed societies. I talked to my American friends afterwards, and it never occurred to me that somebody coming in with a banner might be armed. But that's my privilege.

And it was of interest to me that Pedro and I, as Europeans, in concert, immediately offered them our microphones. And that that was apparently remarkable. It's something to do with the fact that we're brought up in unarmed societies. I talked to my American friends afterwards, and it never occurred to me that somebody coming in with a banner might be armed. But that's my privilege.

But also the idea of being frightened of free speech is something we really have to take on. And it is true. I did say it is uncomfortable. But that doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing for them to do it and that we didn't welcome them. It's also true, by the way, we didn't hear what they wanted to say very well because they were masked. And I would say to them, next time, don't be masked.

But also the idea of being frightened of free speech is something we really have to take on. And it is true. I did say it is uncomfortable. But that doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing for them to do it and that we didn't welcome them. It's also true, by the way, we didn't hear what they wanted to say very well because they were masked. And I would say to them, next time, don't be masked.

Don't mask yourselves because we want to hear what you have to say. And then you can say it clearly and own that presence, that statement, that gesture and be clear.

Don't mask yourselves because we want to hear what you have to say. And then you can say it clearly and own that presence, that statement, that gesture and be clear.

Well, that is the lead that I buried. You're absolutely right to mention that. And we need to look at that. Are we really content to live in a society where someone making a very valid point publicly in a completely appropriate setting is frightened that they will be persecuted for doing that essentially non-threatening thing?

Well, that is the lead that I buried. You're absolutely right to mention that. And we need to look at that. Are we really content to live in a society where someone making a very valid point publicly in a completely appropriate setting is frightened that they will be persecuted for doing that essentially non-threatening thing?

Yes. I left London in 1997 when my children were born and went to live in the north of Scotland where I've lived ever since. And I never went back to London for years. But I happened to be there last autumn for a few weeks. And I It was really interesting because both of my children at the time were living in London. And they were both 26, which was an age I was in London.

Yes. I left London in 1997 when my children were born and went to live in the north of Scotland where I've lived ever since. And I never went back to London for years. But I happened to be there last autumn for a few weeks. And I It was really interesting because both of my children at the time were living in London. And they were both 26, which was an age I was in London.

And so I was very much awash with nostalgia. And I was constantly making beautiful plans to meet up with my children. And I realized that every Saturday they were marching. And it struck me so deeply.

And so I was very much awash with nostalgia. And I was constantly making beautiful plans to meet up with my children. And I realized that every Saturday they were marching. And it struck me so deeply.

deeply that that's what i was doing when i was 26 every saturday we were marching for one thing or another whether it was against the iraq war whether it was against clause 28 which was the repressive bill that thatcher was basically a homophobic bill homophobic bill about um and we we campaigned long and hard against that or whether it was in support of the miners strike we were

deeply that that's what i was doing when i was 26 every saturday we were marching for one thing or another whether it was against the iraq war whether it was against clause 28 which was the repressive bill that thatcher was basically a homophobic bill homophobic bill about um and we we campaigned long and hard against that or whether it was in support of the miners strike we were

Constantly in Trafalgar Square. And my children were too. And I realized that there was something in me that was grateful for them that they have this experience. I mean, long live the opportunity to assemble freely and to protest, especially as a young person and especially as a young artist.

Constantly in Trafalgar Square. And my children were too. And I realized that there was something in me that was grateful for them that they have this experience. I mean, long live the opportunity to assemble freely and to protest, especially as a young person and especially as a young artist.

Well, that brings me back to a question that I kind of asked you again. I probably wasn't clear right at the beginning of our conversation. When you explained that you'd had these three experiences with the concept of death with dignity, experience with your mother, the conversation with the doctor, and then seeing a piece of art. And I asked you a question and we went off another alley.

Well, that brings me back to a question that I kind of asked you again. I probably wasn't clear right at the beginning of our conversation. When you explained that you'd had these three experiences with the concept of death with dignity, experience with your mother, the conversation with the doctor, and then seeing a piece of art. And I asked you a question and we went off another alley.

So I'm asking it again. What do you think? in terms of those three experiences, what did the art manage to do for you?