Q&A: Gemma Arterton, actor

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/14/gemma-arterton-interview

Version 0 of 1.

Born in Kent, Arterton, 29, graduated from Rada. Her movies include St Trinian’s, Quantum Of Solace, Tamara Drewe and Song For Marion. On TV, she played the title role in Tess Of The d’Urbervilles, and her stage work includes The Duchess Of Malfi and, currently, Made In Dagenham. Her new film, The Voices, opens on 20 March. She is divorced and lives in London.

When were you happiest? In Corsica, climbing mountains and finding waterfalls.

What is your greatest fear? That any harm should come to my loved ones.

What is your earliest memory? Buying a Ribena with Dad from a vending machine in a hospital, while waiting for my sister to be born.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Self-criticism.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Ignorance.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought? I have a Terry O’Neill print of Faye Dunaway. That was pretty steep.

What is your most treasured possession? Home videos of my sister and me as children.

What makes you unhappy? Boredom.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? My ears.

Related: Made in Dagenham review – the feast of the show is visual rather than aural

Who would play you in the film of your life? Emma Stone, if she can pull off a Kent accent.

What is your most unappealing habit? Picking my nails.

What is your favourite smell? Jasmine.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? A teacher, then an archaeologist, then a painter, then an actor.

What is top of your bucket list? To see the northern lights.

What do you owe your parents? Teaching me, subconsciously, to graft.

What does love feel like? A hot current running through you. Other times, like constant warmth. Other times, suffocating.

What was the best kiss of your life? In the rose garden in Regent’s Park.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it? I have to say it every night on stage at the moment. I like the actor I say it to, but I wouldn’t say that I love him!

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Elizabeth Taylor, Guy Pearce (he’s hilarious), David Bowie, Marjane Satrapi, Gena Rowlands.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? You know what I mean. Sort of.

If you could edit your past, what would you change? Some choices I made in my early career. Also, I would have continued to practise the guitar.

If you could go back in time, where would you go? Paris and London in the 1960s.

How do you relax? Running, swimming and baking.

What is the closest you’ve come to death? There was a week at school when I accidentally stepped out in front of a bus twice.

What song would you like played at your funeral? Cloudbusting, by Kate Bush.

Where would you most like to be right now? In a quiet forest, next to the sea.