Cillian Murphy was featured in a recent Rolling Stone UK issue, mainly to promote Oppenheimer where he is the leading role. He's also promoting Irish film. Cillian Murphy is a producer and was interviewed at the Irish set for Small Things Like These (you can check out the Wiki page). Cillian, his wife and their children lived in London, but when his children started to speak with an English accent, they moved back to Ireland. They live a quiet and private life. Murphy discusses Catholicism, Ireland and Christopher Nolan in this article. This is a really great piece. Highlights:

The story of Magdalene Laundries. "Every Irish person you speak to of a certain age has more or less a story. This is only in Irish people. What happened to the church is something we are still processing. "Art can help you with this. It can soothe your soul."

Christopher Nolan on himself: "I'm a Chris Nolan Fan. When I first met him, I was a fan of Chris Nolan because I had watched Following, Memento and Insomnia. And I met for Batman Begins and I met on the basis that I was a fan. It feels ridiculous that I have been in six films. At the height his Peaky fame Murphy made time to appear as a shivering soldier with combat shock in Dunkirk, an unshowy, minor role. Murphy says, "I would always be there for Chris, no matter if I was just walking in the background holding a surfboard." I'm not sure which Chris Nolan film that would be. But I've always hoped to play the lead in a Chris Nolan film. What actor would not want to do that?"

Joanne Woodward once said that acting was like sex. You should just do it, and don't talk about it. On set, with a great director, you don't talk much about the work. Talk about what you are going to do. You can prepare a great deal, but a lot happens in real time. "There is really no point in intellectualising anything."

About Catholicism and religion: "My family was not particularly religious but I received my education from a religious order. Irish schools were almost entirely controlled by the Catholic Church and are still to a great extent. I went to the church, and received communion, confirmation, and all that. I don't mind people believing what they want. But I don't like it being imposed. It's harmful when it is imposed. This is where I take issue. There are good things about institutionalised religious institutions, and I'm not going to bash them. "But when it's twisted, f-ked up, as it was in our country and imposed on the nation, then that's a problem."

"I played a scientist in Sunshine [Danny Boyle’s 2007 sci-fi film], which was directed by Danny Boyle. I spent time with [the scientist] Brian Cox. He was a brilliant educator. I will never have the intellect -- few of us are capable -- but I enjoyed listening. I loved being with these insanely smart men and women, and having dinner and talking about the usual stuff. The world is about to collide. "It would be a horrible way to cut the grass or buy milk, I'd say."

We are moving back to Ireland. "We spent 14 years in London. As you get older and have children, I think living in a big city becomes less exciting. We're also both Irish. We wanted our children to be Irish. It's the best thing we did. They are really good boys. We laugh. They like my films, even though we don't have a 'Dad's Movie Night'. "They say that all of my films are very intense."

Fame is a fleeting thing. No one cares about me. I'm here every day. I go shopping. It disappears. If... one of those guys from Succession came in here, I would be all shaky and intimidated. It's strange when you meet someone who you have invested in or think is incredible. ..."

He does not play the fame game. "I do not really participate." I don't like to go out. I spend most of my time at home or with friends, unless I am promoting a movie. I dislike being photographed. This is offensive. If it were a male photographer, I would find that offensive.

He's fragile. "I am totally fragile and insecure like most actors. You're putting your emotional head above the parapet. It's f-ckin' hard. It's a dangerous place to be."

From Rolling Stone UK

It was the most detailed interview with Murphy that I have ever read. He comes across as a very nice guy. Many actors are ambivalent when it comes art vs. commerce or fame vs. privacy. But I believe Murphy is a quiet guy who just does his job and doesn't like to be bothered. Halfway through the piece I was reminded about Daniel Day Lewis, but I think Cillian is a better work-life balance than DDL and can leave his work more easily. I appreciate the fact that he is talking about Catholicism and what horrible things the Catholic church did in Ireland.

Cover & IG courtesy Rolling Stone UK.