SHOCK: Florence is a fantastic character, I like how she’s cynical about her father and the world she lives in and how she gets sucked into being a central force in the story. Why were you attracted to the role?
EASTWOOD: I loved the development of the character, how she grows in the film and how she becomes empowered with this, well, I guess this affair for lack of a better word, with Henry. I loved how Florence has always been independent and always had her own thoughts and yet has never had anyone who validated that, or had anyone who has ever really listened to her.
SHOCK: So you think it’s a love story?
EASTWOOD: Well, yeah, I mean I think everything’s a love story. I think war movies are love stories. So, yes I most certainly do.
SHOCK: I was surprised by just how bloody the film is. I’m not complaining, it was just alarming. Was it as sanguinary on page as it was on screen?
EASTWOOD: On page, no, not at all. Maybe because I was so focused on the characters and their relationships that I wasn’t thinking about how bloody it was. I had no idea it would be as gory as it was in the final edit. But I felt that when we were shooting, the material wasn’t that intense. I didn’t realize just how bloody it would get. But I think it’s great and very cool.
SHOCK: Westerns should be filthy. Like Robert Altman’s McCABE AND MRS. MILLER. You need grime to sell the period. This film is extra dirty. It works. How much of that filth on your bodies was real and how much was artifice?
EASTWOOD: We did have fake sweat and fake dirt and gunk and make-up to make our teeth look kind of rotten, to suggest that there weren’t many dentists around at the time. But we were shooting on film and it was so grainy that we needed to put the stuff on to sell it. But outside of that, we actually were really were filthy; we were sweating profusely and there were bugs crawling all over us. But that was really fun, I thought, just surrendering to it.
SHOCK: Which probably helped you immerse yourself in the character…
EASTWOOD: Absolutely. Instead of when you feel uncomfortable, trying to fix it or cooling off, you suck it all in. No one even really went to their trailers. They just stayed on set or walked it off outside. It kept us all in it and focused. We felt real.
SHOCK: I would think westerns are hard-wired into your DNA, but did you do any real research on the genre going in?
EASTWOOD: I didn’t because I didn’t want to go in it thinking I was making a western, I wanted to go into it to tell a timeless story that could be told in any day and age. I didn’t want any pre-conceived notions, I just wanted to go in and have that experience. It wasn’t until the last few days when I was doing stuff on horses I was like “Oh, okay, alright…I’m making a western here!”
SHOCK: You’ve ridden horses since you were a little girl. Presumably the producers were aware of this at the casting stage.
EASTWOOD: Well, yes, but I don’t think I was actually expected to do too much of it. But the riding you see in the movie? It’s all me. No stunt person. So that was cool. I love doing stunts myself whenever I can.
SHOCK: Would you make another oater?
EASTWOOD: Absolutely. It’s about story and character for me first and I fell in love with this genre. I’ve watched several classic westerns since then and I think it’s great. I’d love to do more. I’d love to do films in every genre, though.
SHOCK: I’m sure you have long looked to your mother’s work as a source of inspiration, What other contemporary actresses do you appreciate?
EASTWOOD: Contemporary? Cate Blanchett, Hilary Swank, Kate Winslet…there’s so many…
SHOCK: Is there any performer you sort of model your career trajectory after?
EASTWOOD: There’s no one actor or actress or career I want to emulate. I respect performers for their choices, but I very much believe it’s a profession that you kind of do your own thing. There’s no two careers that are alike.
SHOCK: How do you feel about horror fans embracing OUTLAWS AND ANGELS.
EASTWOOD: I think it’s great!
SHOCK: Do you like horror movies?
EASTWOOD: Oh, well, I like horror movies, but…I scare easily. If I watch them, I have to watch them during the daytime. It doesn’t matter that I know it’s fake. I get scared. I just shot a horror film (the upcoming THE VAULT) and that was fun to shoot, but to watch? I get freaked out…
SHOCK: I would have thought being born into this world,you would by now find it impossible to suspend your disbelief…
EASTWOOD: Yeah, no…I’m definitely a screaming, jumping person and I’m a totally easy sell for a horror movie.
SHOCK: Can you tell us anything about your role in the revival of TWIN PEAKS?
EASTWOOD: No I can’t…
SHOCK: I knew this, but thought I’d try to catch you off guard…
EASTWOOD: (laughs) no, I’m sorry…I just can’t (laughs).
OUTLAWS AND ANGELS opens Friday in theaters and VOD.
