Natalie Portman at the Oxford Student Union November 6, 2006
Posted by jackal in : Films , trackbackMany thanks to my brother (I knew he had a purpose 
) for getting me a prime seat at the Oxford student union this past Saturday, where guest speaker Natalie Portman was due to appear for an informal talk and Q&A with students. You’ll have to excuse the sycophantic tone that creeps in below - this may come as a complete shock, but I’m just a slight fan of Natalie; I can’t help but write this way. It’s like typist’s Tourette’s or something.
Portman, in England to shoot The Other Boleyn Girl, had come to Oxford at short notice, not that she seemed ill-prepared or, in fact, uneasy in any respect. The slightly built 25 year-old, even more beautiful in person (did I mention I’m a fan?), was a graceful and comfortable public speaker, addressing the packed chamber of 100+ students on the subject of Microfinance aid work, which she is actively involved with through the organisation FINCA. Portman spoke articulately about the subject, displaying an obvious depth of knowledge, although she later jokingly apologised for being “another actor coming to talk about my charity work ...”
Once her initial talk was over, Portman, very much at home among the student audience, made it clear she was there to speak about any subject of interest; with the floor opened to questions, the topic of conversation naturally shifted towards her acting career. Thankfully there seemed to be few Star Wars obsessives present, and the only embarrassing moments came from the occasional male student who (understandably) couldn’t help but precede his question with gushing praise for Portman, her acting abilities and, in one case, how she’s a beautiful on-screen crier (although, admittedly that one did get a big laugh and reduced Portman herself to blushes). The questions themselves ranged from the obvious to the more offbeat (asked about her appearance on Sesame Street, she laughingly declared it her favourite work).
In between anecdotes about frying eggs on R2-D2 while filming The Phantom Menace in the Tunisian desert, there were serious topics broached, such as the situation in Israel, where Portman was born and recently returned to visit. Whatever the question, though, our guest came across throughout as friendly, modest, family-orientated (with her parents and cousin present) and, despite her academic achievements and Hollywood status, down-to-earth, fun-loving; very much ‘one of us’ (or perhaps I should say ’them’, since I haven’t been a uni student for 3 years now).
The most amusing question of the afternoon? An American dude, with “If you could high-five anyone in the history of the world, who would it be?” Utterly stumped, Portman asked him who his choice would be. Quick as lightning, he replied “you”, and duly got his wish, to the amusement of all.
And what of jackal himself? Did I get to pose a carefully-crafted, deeply intellectual question to Nat? Actually, no. They ran out of time before I got the chance, but I’m not complaining. Truth be told, I’d probably have degenerated into another of the gushing acolytes as soon as I stood up, anyway.
Now if only we could get Jessica Biel next time … there’s a thought.
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