*UPDATED* This interview took place in Israel, the entire interview is in Hebrew........it has french subtitles. UPDATE: Thanks to thingofwonder I now have a translation of the interview: IN: Interviewer NP: Natalie Portman [translation starts when they sit together at the hotel room] NP: I'm glad you came to my home [points to hotel room, laughing] IN: It's very pretty, this home of yours. NP: [laughs] I've always wanted to live here [in Israel] for a while, to see how it was, because I left [Israel] at an early age and it was great [back then]. It was really fun. I studied a bit of Arabic and a bit about the history of Islam and the history of Israel, and Hebrew, obviously. I thought of maybe studying in Tel Aviv but I'm glad I decided [to study] in Jerusalem, because I really had no problems with regards to [paparazzi] photographers. IN: [mumbled in background] [walking around the hotel room] IN: maybe you'll show us the view from your window? NP: [the view is] very beautiful. IN: are you used to hotel rooms? NP: yes. IN: what do you hate the most about hotel rooms? NP: the heating [laughs]. IN: and what do you like the best about hotel rooms? NP: I most like the fact that they get cleaned for me. IN: let's got out to the porch so you can show us Israel. [talks to cameraman:] come over here, she's going to show us Israel. [outside on the porch] IN: what do you think would've happened had you lived here? NP: [shakes head, not knowing what to say] IN: would you have been a completely different person? NP: I don't know, I don't know. IN: [mumbles] a denizen of Tel Aviv? You're used [to it]. You hang out here.. NP: [laughs] no, I'm a Jerusalemite! [back inside the room] IN: what do you do in Jerusalem at nights? NP: I went out with friends to their apartments, to bars, restaurants, the movies. [Natalie is handed a bottle of Arak - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arak_(distilled_beverage)] IN: would you like to drink some Arak? NP: [laughs, places bottle on table] no, I don't think I'll do that, it's a bad example for kids. IN: [mumbles] NP: If I have some effect [on children] I don't want it to be concerning alcohol [laughs]. IN: [holding remote in hand] have you seen "The Ambassador" [Israeli TV show] last night? NP: no. I've heard a lot about this show, but I've never seen it. I've also heard about the show "A Wonderful Country" [Israeli Satirical show]. IN: [beginning of sentence cut in editing] Oscars, you're presenting as well as nominated for an award. NP: I will hand the award to the short documentary film. [at first she used the English word Documentary, but then translated to Hebrew]. I'm excited about the ceremony and will be bringing my parents with me, so it'll be fun. IN: you're going with them? NP: yes. IN: do you have your outfit ready? NP: I don't know yet. I haven't had the chance to look for something. I get [back to the states] on Saturday and the ceremony is on Sunday, so they'll bring me lots of pretty dresses [to pick from]. IN: didn't you find anything nice at the Flea Market? [it's the actual name of a market in Tel Aviv, mainly for clothes and antiques]. NP: [laughs] no, [I can't wear] something hippie-like from Israel. [cut to a montage from the movie "Leon"] IN: and you've been shooting this entire month here for a movie? NP: yes. IN: [a movie by] Amos Gitai. NP: yes. IN: what is its name? NP: "Free Zone". IN: [repeats the name] NP: I like doing different stuff, because it's good to change the way you act and to try out new things. I really wanted to do a film in Israel. I really loved [names a few recent Israeli films]. IN: do you feel you're an Israeli? What percentage of you is Israeli? NP: yes, of course! Of course! In the states I feel like an Israeli and over here [in Israel] I feel like an American. It's nice. People say artists need to always feel a bit like a stranger, because they have a different point of view than other people. It's good to be a stranger wherever [you go]. [standing in the middle of the room] IN: what will you do in your remaining nights here in the city [Tel Aviv]? Will you go out and party? NP: no [laughs]. IN: you need to sleep in order to wake up at 5 AM? NP: yes, I'll be working everyday, including on Friday, the day I leave [for the states]. [woman in background]: so that's it? NP: yes. IN: but you're young, you need to have fun! NP: yes, I'm going to the Oscars, I'll be having fun! [laughs] but when working, one needs to concentrate. [saying goodbyes, then, at the door, signing autograph] NP: well, thank you very much. IN: Jonathan [to whom NP is signing, apparently] asked me to tell you he was eight [years old]. NP: awww... IN: but he's [actually] twenty six. NP: [hands notepad back to IN] oh, so he's not really eight! [laughs] I don't really get the sarcasm [in Hebrew] yet. [continues talking but the French song overlaps].

• published: 17 Jun 2006
• views: 837274