VANESSA REDGR AVE

Coriolanus

t took some convincing from longtime family friend Ralph Fiennes to get Vanessa Redgrave to take on the role of Volumnia in Coriolanus. It was never a part that I wanted to play, and more important than that, when I read the script my imagination got blocked. I didnt think I could play her, but I wasnt going to refuse working with Ralph, Redgrave says. Eventually Fiennes, the films director who also plays the lead, Coriolanus, won Redgrave over with his support of her portrayal of Volumnia, which differed from the scripts original directions. The two make up the films central relationship, a mother and her warrior son intimately bonded in their shared love of their country. Volumnia, a warrior in her own right, is arguably the strongest and most courageous character in a film filled with blood-thirsty, battle-ready soldiers. As far as shes concerned, the noblest thing in life is to fight and win for your country. Shes ready to see her son sacrificed if necessary in battle and she would be proud

of him for dying in battle, Redgrave says. It became clear to me and Ralph that this lady, she didnt fight herself but she trained young kids to fight and she was proud of that it was her whole life. Thats whats rather unique about this lady. Redgrave and Volumnia share the military family lineage, as many of the men on Redgraves mothers side were in the British navy. Redgrave says that was an important mindset while preparing for the film. Shes not only a military mother, but probably the most influential member of her family and the eldest member of her family, who have fought in the military for generations. You have to find your way to that place, Redgrave explains. Redgrave says her respect for Fiennes and for a creative collaboration was shared by all on the set. Whether they were British or American or Serbian, we all worked very well together. We all respected Ralph and his co-producers enormously, Redgrave says. Shelby Hill