ADVERTISEMENT













ADVERTISEMENT

Kate Winslet: Nude Scenes in 'The Reader' Were 'Nerve-Wracking'

 

Kate Winslet is a busy actress this season, with not one but two serious dramas in theaters this month. In addition to reuniting with 'Titanic' co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Revolutionary Road,' Kate gets emotionally -- and physically -- naked in the post-war drama, 'The Reader.'

"It really took me to the brink in many ways," Kate tells ET. "To bring [my character of] Hanna Schmitz to life was an absolutely enormous challenge and a huge responsibility as well, because it's a much-loved piece of German literature. Many people have differing opinions of Hanna Schmitz; they love her, they loath her."

A haunting story about horrific war crimes, truth and reconciliation, 'The Reader' stars Kate as Hanna, a woman in post-WWII Germany who plunges into a passionate and secretive affair with a younger man named Michael Berg (David Kross) and then suddenly disappears. Several years later, Michael, now a law student, sits in on the Nazi war crime trials, only to find Hanna forced to defend herself in the courtroom.

"It is a love story; it's not a Holocaust movie," says Kate. "It's about these two people falling in love and needing each other in ways that really surprise them both."

For the nude scenes in the movie, Kate says she refused to work out because, "It was important to me to look real. I really don't believe in this notion that actors and actresses should look untouchably perfect."

As for the fact that she's 15 years older than her 18-year-old co-star, she says that their love scenes were nothing but professional. "It was the same as shooting any other scene of that nature," she explains. "A scene with that level of intimacy involving nudity, you know, it's always nerve-wracking, and you really have to rehearse those scenes so that everybody knows exactly what's going on. … He didn't need that much looking after."

Directed by Stephen Daldry ('The Hours'), the film also stars Ralph Fiennes as the older Michael and Lena Olin as his therapist.

Watch ET for more with Kate and the cast of 'The Reader.'

Posted December 05, 2008 5:40:00 AM
See All: kate winslet lena olin Leonardo DiCaprio movies ralph fiennes the reader

E-Mail | Print | | RSSRSS | 

Recent Headlines

Tops & Flops: A Week in Fashion!
November 7, 2009, 08:30 AM (PDT) 19 hours ago
Dennis Hopper on Cancer Battle: 'Everything's Good Right Now'
November 7, 2009, 08:10 AM (PDT) 20 hours ago
Susan Boyle to Sing on 'Dancing with the Stars'
November 7, 2009, 07:08 AM (PDT) 21 hours ago
Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
November 7, 2009, 07:02 AM (PDT) 21 hours ago
Rob Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart Talk 'New Moon'
November 6, 2009, 05:09 PM (PDT) A day ago
R Family Vacations Sails On
November 6, 2009, 04:45 PM (PDT) A day ago
New Pics: Selena Gomez at Disneyland
November 6, 2009, 04:40 PM (PDT) A day ago
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
November 6, 2009, 04:11 PM (PDT) A day ago
Kelly Clarkson Rocks the Hard Rock!
November 6, 2009, 03:15 PM (PDT) A day ago
Report: Jaycee Dugard Tried to Cover Up Her Identity
November 6, 2009, 03:00 PM (PDT) A day ago

Jennifer Lopez Sues Ex-Husband Over Alleged Home Videos and Movie Project
Nov 07, 2009 07:02 AM (PDT)
 
Sneak a Peek! Brand-New 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' Pics!
Nov 06, 2009 04:11 PM (PDT)
 
Choose the Model Who Will Join Heidi Klum When she Hosts the Victoria's Secret Fashon Show!
Nov 06, 2009 02:10 PM (PDT)
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  • StylistAnya: Tune in to THE INSIDER this week to see the most fab coats, gloves, scarves and more! It's time for WINTER FASHION!
  • BradBesseyET: In the wake of the Ro-Kelli split, we're happy that R Family Vacations will sail on with gay-family vacations - www.rfamilyvacations.com
  • StylistAnya: Have a fashion question? Style emergency? Just go to theinsider.com and click on "Ask Anya" I will answer your questions!
  • BradBesseyET: Golden Girl Hospitalized! Rue McClanahan is recovering from heart bypass surgery performed yesterday in New York. Speedy Recovery Rue!!!
  • BradBesseyET: Just saw some behind-the-scenes of Oprah and Ellen's photo shoot for the special December issue of O Magazine...great stuff!

Catch Hollywood's brightest stars out on the town!

View Star Sightings Gallery

Do you think your fave celeb's style is super sweet or totally beat?

View Hit or Miss Gallery

See whose glamorous style is turning heads around town!

View Glam Squad Gallery

See First Lady Michelle Obama's fabulous fashions within the first 100 days and more!

View the Michelle Obama Fashion Gallery