While actor Eva Green says that films like Dumbo are important because we live in a crazy chaotic world, actor Colin Farrell shares that it was more about overcoming his limitations. By Team Viva

We heard that you really wanted to work with director Tim Burton, is that true?

Colin Farrell: Yes. He is brilliant in the world he creates and the way he transports you immediately into whatever he is presenting. He has the ability that very few filmmakers have, along with the awkwardness and the otherness of the characters that he presents, there’s a heart at the centre of all his works. This heart, beauty and vulnerability in his work is there ever since Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands.

Which was the first film that introduced you to Tim?

Colin: Actually, it was Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. I just forgot that he had made it. He’s so brilliant, my brother showed it to me. Edward Scissorhands is my youngest boy’s favourite.

Was it difficult to film scenes of character with a physical challenge?

Colin: Initially, I thought it will be more about the emotional and psychological difficulties. But I realised later that it was all mixed — my personal emotions about the character I was playing, as he was dealing with a lot. He lost his wife when he was away fighting in World War I. As a single parent, he then has to deal with his two children, who have grown up while he was away. They now have their own opinions, dreams, ideas and a way of behaving. So handling them is not too easy. Moreover, he is physically impaired. There is a canvas of all these different issues that he was facing. His journey is more about accepting himself and his children while overcoming his limitations.

How was the mood on the sets? Did you feel some kind of pressure?

Colin: Yes. There was tension everywhere. It was all practical and they had built the most extraordinary set that I’ve been on in 20 years. And I’ve been on a few really incredible ones like Alexander, Total Recall and many others.

The one that was put here had the little guy Dumbo flying around. But in some of the scenes, where he wasn’t airborne, they had his static model who would help in moving the things that were kept far away. However, it wasn’t hugely helpful. Instead, Edd Osmond who played Dumbo, was dressed in green spandex from head to toe and they gave him sticks that elongated his arms and he would move, command and do other stuff. What he would do was really moving. This turned out to be helpful. He was extraordinary to work with. Everything else was great too. You’d walk onto the set and there were like eight Ford model T from the 20th century, a bunch of popcorn and hotdog concession stands, fairground rides everywhere, people on horseback — all inside the building.

Do you remember watching the original as a kid?

Colin: I didn’t watch it as a kid. I didn’t see it until months before I flew to London to do this. I hadn’t seen it; I just had no reason. I had seen The Aristocats, Lady and The Tramp, The Jungle Book but never this.

How does it feel to be in a Disney modern classic, Dumbo?

Eva Green: Oh my god, I just can’t believe I am in it too. It’s such a surreal beautiful story. I saw it last night. Usually, a lot of actors don’t like watching themselves on the screen but I completely forgot I was in it. I was really invested in the film and got really emotional. I really felt for Dumbo, it’s just beautiful work.

How did you film flight scenes with Dumbo?

Eva: I was surrounded by Green screen and on some kind of weird mechanical bull, like the one cowboy’s use to train on for rodeos. It was attached to a very long arm and you kind of lift it in the air and it moved. I don’t know what exactly it is but maybe some kind of a weird car. It’s an odd mixture between a bull in a car and an elephant. But it’s completely surreal to have those wind machines as well, sometimes you really feel you are flying. It’s completely crazy.

You had tweeted that this is a film we need right now...

Eva: We live in such a crazy chaotic world. So it’s just wonderful to have a film about love, hope and dreams. It is important for us to believe that our dreams can turn into reality some day.

You have worked with Tim before also. What made this experience special?

Eva: It has always been special to work with him. He is such a wonderful man, a beautiful human being, very delicate, sensitive and a genius. He gave me roles that are different, Dark Shadows which was a ‘crazy witch woman bird’ and now a ‘trapeze artist’. It’s a real gift and privilege for sure.

(The film will be aired on Star Movies on May 3 at 1 pm.)