Sheridan backs Day-Lewis for Oscar success
Veteran director Jim Sheridan has tipped two-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis to make movie history and scoop an Oscar hat-trick.
The Dublin native praised long-time friend Day-Lewis for his latest performance in historical biopic 'Lincoln' – which yesterday secured him a coveted Golden Globe.
“If you were giving me bookies’ odds, I’d go with 'Lincoln' and Daniel winning the Oscars,” Sheridan said.
The 63-year-old, who directed Day-Lewis in 'My Left Foot' – which won the actor his first Oscar – said the star was “a force of nature”.
“When I was working with Daniel, it was like: 'This guy is so technically gifted',” he said.
“I don’t think there has ever been an actor like him.”
Six-time Oscar nominee Sheridan was at the ticket launch of industry event Digital Biscuit – three days of talks and demonstrations on new digital film-making techniques.
Sheridan first directed Day-Lewis in the 1989 film 'My Left Foot' – in which he played Irish writer and painter Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy.
They later worked together on 'In The Name Of The Father' and 'The Boxer'.
“Other actors say to me he’s better than anybody,” Sheridan said.
“I don’t know if he can be better than anybody, but he’s certainly technically so amazing.”
Day-Lewis, who lives in Co Wicklow and holds both Irish and British citizenship, won his second best actor Oscar for 'There Will Be Blood' in 2007.
He has been nominated for a third gold statuette for his portrayal of US president Abraham Lincoln, who fought for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War.
The film, which opens in Europe with a premiere in Dublin on Sunday, is a hot favourite for the awards ceremony on February 24.
Day-Lewis, 55, will be the first male to win three Oscars for Best Actor if he is successful.
The star won the category for his role in Lincoln last night at the Golden Globes – which is widely considered an indicator of the results at the Oscars.
Elsewhere, Sheridan, who is also known for the award-winning 'In America', said there were few new film releases he liked.
While he enjoyed 'Lincoln' and is planning to watch it a second time at the premiere in Dublin, he said he disliked most “popcorn movies”.
“I go to the movies and sometimes I’m going like: ’Is there a story here? And I just don’t see it’. I think sometimes it’s just crap,” Sheridan said.
He said he also finds it difficult to warm to films released in 3D.
“Does 3D work for anybody? Seemingly for kids under a certain age, it’s not very good,” the director said.
“The studios went to 3D because of piracy, because they were trying to have a unique experience. I don’t know if it’s holding, 3D. I don’t want to be the one to announce the death of it, but I don’t know.”
Digital Biscuit will run at the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin for three days from January 24.
National and global industry leaders will hold talks and take part in technology expositions, which will focus on Ireland’s capabilities as a creative leader in innovative film and TV production.
Sheridan will be joined at the event by fellow Dublin-born director Ciaran Donnelly, known for Tudors and Vikings, and David Yates, director of four of the Harry Potter films.
