| Level | Item |
| Ref No | GUA/9/4/1/4/2/8 |
| Title | Tim Robbins |
| Date | 12 November 1999 |
| Extent | 1 audio cassette tape, 1 WAV file (605.7 MB) |
| Creator Name | British Film Institute (BFI), 1933- |
| Guardian News & Media Ltd, 1967- |
| Description | Audio recording of an interview with Tim Robbins in front of a live audience as part of the Guardian sponsored National Film Theatre Guardian interview series.
The recording begins with Sandra Hebron of the National Film Theatre introducing the event and a selection of film clips showcasing Robbins work. Host Jonathan Romney then proceeds to put questions to Robbins. The recording comprises a question and answer session with members of the audience from 38.35.
A summary of the topics discussed is included below.
00.00 Introductions and film clips
02.57 The subject matter of Cradle Will Rock
07.01 Political themes in the film
08.30 The American Arts Council and politics
09.50 Experience of working in theatre early on in his career
11.57 How he began acting and then moved into film
16.20 Whether he had any qualms working on Top Gun
19.30 Experience of working on Bull Durham
20.45 Jacobs Ladder
22.12 Influence of Robert Altman and The Player
26.10 Opinion of Bill Clinton and contemporary US politics
27.27 How he was persuaded to direct Dead Man Walking, the preparation for the film and the reaction to it
33.23 Dispute with the Academy
35.04 Whether he is a political person and whether his views have an impact on his career
37.01 What attracted him to portraying the character in Arlington Road
39.30 Interest in prisons
41.45 Career as a director
44.15 Why Sean Penn did not receive the Oscar for Dead Man Walking
44.53 Casting process
48.15 More on politics
49.25 Writing Cradle Will Rock and getting financial backing for it
52.10 Balancing career and family priorities
53.14 Working with Susan Sarandon on Dead Man Walking
54.00 Who he would like to work with
55.14 Doing a cameo role in Austin Powers
55.55 Upcoming roles.
Films mentioned in the course of the interview include: Bob Roberts; Jacobs Ladder; Cradle Will Rock; Top Gun; The Sure Thing; Shawshank Redemption; Bull Durham; Nashville; McCabe and Mrs Miller; The Player; Spinal Tap; Dont Look Back; Waiting for Guffman; Dead Man Walking; Arlington Road; Austin Powers; Howard the Duck; High Fidelity and Mission to Mars. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository |
| Related Material | Two possible duplicates on cassette and MiniDisc. Details at http://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmItems/154344682 and http://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmItems/154381610 |
| Format | Electronic record |
| Tape recording |