Since then she directed Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand to Oscar nominations in the 2005 filmNorth Country.
Highlights of the conversation are below.
She was so feminine and yet, so strong.
Credit: Anne Marie Fox/Focus Features
And her instinct to care for animals translated so fluidly to care for her human refugees.
I couldnt conceive of making an authentic and specific and truthful movie from this material and using fake animals.
I just couldnt do it.
Why was Jessica that right actress to play Antonina?She was our very first choice.
As if different actresses played those roles.
And then she reinvented herself profoundly forThe Zookeepers Wife.She opened up a side of herself that is very soft.
Jessica seemed to have connected genuinely to the animals.
But she really connected to the elephant, named Lily.
We spent time with Lily in pre-production and she took instantly to Jessica.
And the rest of us were wearing four pairs of pants, millions of ski jackets.
And Lilys trunk was all over Jessica, searching for apples that Jessica had concealed under her skirt.
All of the animal work was all completely natural.
I never wanted an animal to have to do a particular trick or action.
Tell me about casting Johan Heldenberg, who plays Jessicas husband in the film the actual Zookeeper.
Ive never seen him before.Jessica called me and said I think we should consider this actor Johan Heldenberg.
At the time we were under a lot of pressure to cast a name actor a lot of pressure.
She said the name Johan Heldenberg and I like everyone else in the world said, Sorry.
Its extraordinary and hes extraordinary.
I met him and I loved him and I knew he would be absolutely right for us.
We contorted ourselves to get everybody on board with Johan.
Im so happy we did.
Im amazed by him and thrilled that I can introduce him to the world.
For me hes like an old style movie star.
And I have to ask you aboutMulan.
