Daniel Day-Lewis made a highly anticipated return to the screen with his latest film, Anemone, during the 69th BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2023. This marks his first appearance in the public eye in several years, where he was greeted by a warm ovation from fans after signing autographs prior to the event. The film, directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, is a family drama that explores themes of brotherhood and reconciliation.
In an engaging discussion at the festival, Day-Lewis shared the motivation behind his return to acting after an eight-year hiatus. He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with his son, stating, “It began with a pure wish really to work with Ronan.” He noted the “sadness” he felt at the thought of not having the opportunity to work with him in film otherwise. The narrative follows a middle-aged man, played by Sean Bean, who embarks on a journey into the woods to reconnect with his estranged brother, portrayed by Day-Lewis.
The film’s world premiere took place at the New York Film Festival, showcasing Ronan Day-Lewis’s debut as a feature director. He co-wrote the script with his father, and both emphasized the intimate nature of the production. Ronan described the filming environment as “claustrophobic” yet “incredibly intimate,” creating a unique atmosphere for their collaboration.
Day-Lewis also reflected on his approach to acting, especially in relation to his earlier roles. He recalled how he prepared for his Oscar-winning performance in My Left Foot with “very gentle steps,” noting that he viewed the wheelchair as a “cage.” He acknowledged that immersion in characters makes sense to him, although he respects that other actors achieve success through different methods. “I still find that process a joyful thing. We’re playing games for a living,” he remarked.
During the discussion, Day-Lewis addressed the criticisms surrounding method acting, which he believes are often misconstrued. “It is invariably from people that have little or no understanding of what it actually involves,” he explained. He described method acting not as a “cult,” but rather as a way to foster spontaneity in performance. Day-Lewis humorously admitted to being “clueless” when he first entered the film industry, reflecting on the perception of film as a lesser medium compared to theatre during his early career.
The actor shared anecdotes about his experiences with directors, including Jim Sheridan, with whom he has had a long creative relationship. He expressed admiration for legendary actors such as Marlon Brando and shared fond memories of his childhood favorites, including Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.
Ronan joined his father for the final segment of the discussion, revealing the dynamic of their working relationship. He noted the benefits of collaborating with family, highlighting that “it takes the edge off because you know they will give you the benefit of the doubt.” Their shared commitment to storytelling was evident as they discussed the collaborative process of crafting Anemone.
As the event concluded, Daniel Day-Lewis reflected on his previous announcement of retirement in 2017 following his role in Phantom Thread. He admitted, “Looking back on it now — I would have done well to just keep my mouth shut, for sure.” He clarified that he never intended to retire but rather sought to pursue different types of work.
Before the farewell standing ovation, Day-Lewis offered words of advice to aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself in the industry. “It takes a certain steadiness in yourself to say, ‘No, I need to just do this the only way I know how,’” he concluded, encapsulating his journey as an actor and his commitment to his craft.
