Dana Delany spelade sjuksköterskan Colleen McMurphy i TV-serien China Beach som släppts på DVD. Ni kan även se henne som Dr Megan Fox i Body Of Proof som visas i Kanal 5. Kulturbloggens Peter Johansson fick en intervju med henne.
China Beach is about the war in Vietnam. You were in your teens during the end of the war. How did the war affect you back then?
Dana Delany: My Uncle Kevin Delany was a correspondent in Vietnam for ABC news, so to me it was where he worked.
Many of my friends protested the war and my brother was in the last year of the mandatory draft.
Thankfully, He picked a low number.
The China Beach pilot aired in late April 1988. How do you feel about the show today 25 years later? Strengths? Weaknesses?
DD: I haven’t seen China Beach since it aired except for little snippets. I look at myself and I think how young and hopeful I was as an actor. It was life changing for me–‐ I understood my responsibility as an actor for the first time. As for weaknesses, sometimes the writing could get obtuse but the themes always resonated.
Do you think CB has aged with grace?
DD: I wonder how the long pauses will play with today’s audience. We are now used to fast cutting and more action. I hope that the emotions still resonate.
What can CB offer today’s audience?
DD: There are many younger people who don’t know much about the Vietnam War. I think it will be educational.
Wikipedia says that you weren’t first choice for McMurphy. Is that true? If so, who were the first choice?
DD: In the end it was between Helen Hunt and me. We both screen tested for the role. We were really put through a lot for that job.
You won 2 Emmys, 3 Q–‐awards and got 2 GG nominations during CB.
After the show, did you ever ask yourself “Where do I go now? Can I “top” this”?”
DD: I think China Beach spoiled me. I thought that all roles would be as three–‐dimensional. After the end of the series, I got offered a lot of parts and turned a lot down. I managed to do some good movies but I learned not to be as selective. An actor is just part of the bigger whole. And I like to act.
You hosted a show about Vietnam Nurses in 2006. How did it feel to face the reality behind China Beach?
DD: I will always hold nurses in high regard and especially the ones who went to Vietnam. They didn’t have to go, they volunteered. It was the first time that I saw a living example of altruism. They were those boys’ angels. And it was important to do them justice in my work.
As I watch your filmography on IMBD, I see a long line of strong independent women.
Is that coincidence or conscious choice on your part?
DD: As I said, after China Beach it was hard for me to just play “the wife” or ‘the mother.” Women are very complex creatures. I like playing women who are both strong and vulnerable.
Why did get you involved with The creative coalition?
DD: I think that arts education is very important. I went to public school most of my life and had great classes in the arts. It has proven to help development and grades, whether you become an artist or a scientist. In America many arts programs have been cut due to the economy. It’s up to the private sector now.
In your mind which are the greatest threats to freedom of expression today?
DD: Thanks to the Internet, I think we live in a world of great transparency now. Which I think is a good thing. You cannot hide who you are. However, I still think that many women and girls across the world do not have a strong enough voice. I am heartened by Leymah Gbowee and her partners in Liberia winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. It was a beautiful example of the non-violent wisdom of women.
*You are on the board of directors of OPC, The New York Stage & Film and Scleroderma Research Foundation. You are co–‐president of TCC. You raise money to fight cancer. On top of that you have this tiny day job in film & TV. My question is: How do you find the time? Words like Hogwarts, McGonagall and time turner pops up in my mind.
DD: Well, I had to step down as co–‐president of TCC because I don’t just like being a figurehead. I need to do the work and my “day job” took precedence. But I try to fit things in on the weekend. My passion lately is OPC and NYSF. They are developing the artistic voices of the future. That’s what excites me.
You have your own private French voice. Is that common practice? Do you have german/spanish/italian voices to?
DD: I got to meet Marine in Paris last week who has been my voice in French for 13 years! That takes a lot of talent. It is hard to manufacture the subtext of a voice. I could tell she was a real actor. I know there is a German actor who has dubbed me for years. I would love to meet her.
How do you feel about dubbing vs subtitles?
DD: I personally, prefer to hear the original voice. But on television, that can be very small subtitles to read!
If I say Sweden what is the first thing that comes to mind?
DD: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!”
Also, my hair colorist moved to Sweden and I miss her.
And of course, “I am Curious, Yellow.”
Season 3 of Body Of Proof premieres soon. What can we expect?
DD: A lot of action and danger this season. Last season was lighter, this is scarier.
And just one small question at the End: Did you win Jeopardy 2006/2009?
DD: I won in 2006 and came in second place in 2009. I am good with literature/arts and terrible at sports. And it really is about the buzzer. Some people just know how to time it!
Text: Peter Johansson
Här kan ni läsa Peter Johanssons recension av boxen med serien China Beach.