I once heard a famous actress at a party scoff, “I mean for God’s sake, we’re not saving lives.” This was expressed to an equally acclaimed colleague, who nodded furiously in agreement. A moment earlier they had both watched as an overzealous fan practically prostrated himself at the star’s feet while waxing lyrical about her latest movie.
I thought about it for a moment…
On the surface she seemed correct. Yes, there were countless other professions far more necessary and noteworthy than that of a performer. However, I knew both that film had changed my life and that I had sacrificed a great deal to be an actress. On numerous occasions I have found myself with no money, no food and no home. To achieve my goals as an artist, I have had to find a way, some way, any way in the midst of great uncertainty, humiliation and emotional turmoil. For her to have so casually belittled our profession (and one of her fans) infuriated me. Surely this woman, more than anyone, should know how difficult it is to succeed in such a ruthless and unforgiving industry. Her statement reeked of the blindness of privilege. I surmised her abundant wealth and status must somehow be short circuiting her noggin and decided to ponder on it no more. At the same time, as I was removing my make-up later that night, I wondered: what if what the actress said was true on some level?
My mind went back to when I was a young girl at the theatre in South Africa watching Tim Robbins’s “Dead Man Walking” for the first time. I, at the time, one hundred percent believed in capital punishment - right up until the moment I saw Sean Penn, playing a rapist and a murderer, walking to his own death, as ordered by the state. How the film managed to fully show the man’s heinous crimes, yet simultaneously pack a sizeable gut punch and mind metamorphosis, is still beyond my comprehension.
It certainly, in two hours, altered my worldview and absolutely changed my life. As have many films after that.
I think the better question here is “Should we as performers be treated like deities?” Absolutely not. But can great actors along with a brilliant script, director and crew, create something that enlightens, educates and has the ability to bring additional perspectives? Absolutely.
And maybe that is life saving.