An Interview with Uma Thurman

The new Tarantino flick Kill Bill is released this month and is set to establish the lovely (and newly single, if you believe the tabloids) Uma as one of Hollywood's hottest properties once more.

How did you prepare yourself for the role of karate-kicking warrior for Kill Bill?
It was strange really because the character in Kill Bill is in many ways totally alien to me, yet I can't say I didn't enjoy it. I trained very hard to be convincing as a martial arts expert and I have to say that I really liked that. The training was hard work and most of it was done under the guidance of an expert who didn't believe in letting you get away with anything. By the time we were ready for the movie, I felt that I could walk down any dark street without a worry.

There was a Bruce Lee influence in the film...
Yes - that was something else. I got to wear Bruce Lee's famous yellow tracksuit from his last movie, Game Of Death. That was really inspiring. Putting that on made me feel as if I could take on a whole bunch of guys single-handed. Not bad for someone who believes that opening a bag of cookies uses up too much energy.

You had to lose some weight to prepare for the role. How did you feel about that?
Training helped but I am proud to say that I lost 20lbs and got really fit. How did I do it? I ate stuff. Yeah, I know it sounds a little crazy but I ate desserts. I had ice cream, chocolate mousse, the whole lot but I didn't have anything else. So I got to eat stuff I really liked but lost weight because I wasn't having other meals. Instead of being torture, it was a pleasure.

Is you character in Kill Bill a sexy one?
It is a risqué role - a female on the rampage, out to kill guys and girls. She's a tough character, ruthless and ready for close contact. I guess some people find that sexy. Others might find it scary. I did not deliberately play it as sexy but some people will get turned on if you sneeze...

Do you see yourself as being a Hollywood sex symbol?
What a joke. No, that's only the image that the media and the publicity people create. It used to worry me once because I am not at all the kind of man-eating sexy gal that is presented. Every girl wants to turn heads, sure, but I don't wear spray-on clothes or hardly any clothes at all. I like to dress like a lady. When I was first talked of as a sex symbol it freaked me out a little but I am old enough now to know what it's all about. I just ignore it.

So you don't enjoy publicity then?
I try not to read anything about myself or Ethan, my husband. I sometimes look at the pictures to see how I'm looking but I don't like to read about myself even when someone is saying something nice. It can give you a distorted view of yourself. I don't need that.

Will you let your kids see this film?
Not until they are no longer children. I don't like my kids to watch too much television or too many movies. Maybe... if they want to, they will see it one day, but that day is a long way off.

How was your own childhood?
I had a good childhood at home but I wasn't so happy at school. I think it was because I was so different. I was always much taller than anyone else and I think I looked a little strange. My eyes were big and seemed to me to fill my whole face. I wasn't very clever and not at all sporty so I felt quite isolated at school.

You began your career as a model. How did that come about?
My mother, who is Swedish, used to be a model and in fact there is a statue of her in Trelleborg. She pointed me in that direction. I was surprised because I didn't think I looked anything like the models I had seen but it worked out. It got me used to being looked at. I was always shy before that. It opened the door for me to become an actress so that was good for me too. I was doing modelling work while I was going to drama school. And I was also washing dishes to help with my income... I've never had my head in the clouds!

How do you spend your time off?
We live in New York so Central Park is popular with us. We often go as a family, take a walk, do a few things and just enjoy being out. Sometimes you see a photographer hiding in the bushes but we have got past worrying about that too much. We make sure our kids are safe and happy. If you spend all your time watching out for photographers you will never have time with your kids.

Do you find that living in New York means you miss out on Hollywood parties?
No. You can't miss out on what you don't really want. We have some good babysitters, but we don't really like to leave our kids, so rather than one of us going to a party while the other is at home, we just don't go. If there is something very special, like the Oscars or whatever, we will both go but we are quite happy to miss the parties and have fun with our kids instead.

Is it true that you met Ethan at a cash machine?
Yeah. I didn't recognise him when he told me he was an actor too; I thought he was a fan. He looked good but it was a brief encounter. We didn't meet again for five years and he had to remind me of our first meeting. He still looked good but I have to chase him a little now because he likes to slop around looking grungy.

Are you superstitious?
A little. My wedding ring has seven numbers on it because it is a lucky number. To be honest, it actually has eight diamonds because there is another one hidden on the inside, a kind of secret jewel. I don't do all the throwing-salt-over-my-shoulder stuff, but if I realise it's Friday the 13th, for example, I am a lot more careful.

What makes you sad?
The things people do to each other. I think especially when you have children you become much more aware of the need for all kids to be protected and made happy and comfortable. It upsets me to see kids unhappy.

What surprises you?
The capacity for love. You love someone and you think 'that's it'. You have a child and your love seems to grow to engulf both people and then you have another and it grows again. I thought I understood the limits of my heart but then you realise that your capacity to love is inexhaustible; it stretches to meet your needs. It's amazing.

Have you tried to stop smoking?
Not really. I will one day, maybe.

So, will Kill Bill relaunch you as a sexy vamp?
I hope not. I'm an actress, but I also have to get my kids' supper ready

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