15 March,2010 03:40 PM IST | | Sunday MiD DAY
Two time Oscar winner Hilary Swank plays legendary aviator Amelia Earhart in Mira Nair's film. She tells Sunday Mid day why teaching the alphabet to kids in Indian villages was as challenging as flying, and why she believes in monogamy
What made Amelia Earhart fascinating?
If she was living now, she'd be ahead of her time. Often you hear people say 'oh I was doing this because my parents think that's what's best for me' or 'my significant other wants me to do this.' She did what she wanted.
What was it like working with Richard Gere (plays her husband, George Putnam), and Ewan McGregor (plays her lover, Gene Vidal)?
I could talk about them all day, and kiss them all day (laughs). Richard is an incredible actor and I grew up watching his work. He's a very old soul; he's very compassionate and secure within himself. Then there's the wonderful Ewan who's gorgeous, a gem, and obviously his work is amazing. He does no wrong, ever.
What do you think happened to Amelia?
I think she ran out of fuel. When you learn to fly, you realise all the calculations; it's like a calculus class. There are so many things to think about, like the head wind speed. You have to calculate that and if you're off by one minute, you could be off 15 miles.
You learned to fly for the film and are now training to get your pilot's license.
Yes, I absolutely love flying. It is so exhilarating; just complete freedom.
You are in such amazing shape. How do you manage?
You name it, I do it. Something that I've now brought into my life is working out with a trainer because they say when you hit 30, it is important to work out with weights. I only train four to five times a week though. I'm not a slave to the gym. I mix it up: I swim, I spin, I do Krav Maga. I also do this thing called 'core fusion'.
Amelia Earhart believed in open marriages. Do you?
I think it's different for everybody. I believe in monogamy; I think it makes life so much richer. But I appreciate that everyone has a different opinion on it and I think everyone needs to do what's best for them. You only have one life and it's short.
Who is your inspiration?
My mom, she gave me the great gift of believing in me. She said, you can do anything you want, as long as you work hard enough. Don't let anyone get in the way.
You are involved with volunteer work in India with NGO United Planet.
Yes. I went to India and learned about women's issues. I stayed in a volunteer house with 10 others and worked in an orphanage and school. The classroom had children aged four to 18. The teachers really needed a lot of help so I worked with four to six year-olds, and they asked me to teach the English alphabet. I thought it was going to be really easy, but it took the whole five weeks because they did not speak any English. I looked like some sort of alien to them going, 'A B C'. There was one girl in particular who didn't want to have anything to do with me; she wouldn't say anything, she would just look at me. On my last day, I asked the teacher to tell the children that I wouldn't be coming from the next day. As we were leaving, I heard someone say 'A B C'. I turned around and it was that little girl. She was yelling the alphabet out, and the teacher looked at me and said, 'She's thanking you'. That was really moving.
On working with Mira Nair
"Having Mira at the helm of this ship was perfect because it's rare to see a woman carry herself the way she does. She makes no apologies for her strengths. Often when you see women in places of power, they are apologising for it."
Amelia is plaing in theatres
