Benedict Cumberbatch in new movie Power Of The Dog, toxic masculinity and champion woman | News about Ant-Man & Art

Benedict Cumberbatch told Sky News: “We need to correct the behavior of men. “You have to lift the engine cover a little bit.”

Academy Award-nominated actor, known for television series including Sherlock and Patrick Melrose as well as his portrayal of Doctor Strange in Marvel Universe, is discussing toxic masculinity, a theme that runs through his latest film, Power Of The Dog.

Adapted from the novel by Thomas Savage, set in 1920s Montana, Cumberbatch plays Phil Burbank, a masochist rancher who internally suppresses his desires while outwardly bullying those closest to him, including his brother’s new wife (played by Kirsten Dunst).

Most surprising, perhaps, is this masculinity accomplished by a filmmaker known for her retelling of women’s experiences – Oscar-winning director Jane Campion, known for films like The Piano, The Portrait Of A Lady and Bright Star. Power Of The Dog is her first feature film in 12 years and also her first film with a male protagonist.

“She has always been a heroine of mine,” Cumberbatch said. “The Piano was a seismic movie when I was growing up, for me, and I was completely mesmerized by it.

“She’s just a great director and sensitivity and sensitivity are needed in this to really break Philip, you can’t imagine a better director for that.”

Although the film is set a century ago, Cumberbatch believes the film’s exploration of masculinity is still relevant today.

“You get this kind of rebellious aspect [from men today], this denial, this childish defense of ‘not all men are bad,’ but no, we just need to be quiet and listen,” he said.

“There’s not enough recognition of abuse, not enough recognition of downsides and at the same time, somewhere – maybe not now, but somewhere – we need to do what film does, this is looking at the reasoning behind the oppressive behavior.”

It’s been almost 30 years since Campion first won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, for The Piano. Back then, many predicted it would pave the way for other female filmmakers to follow her lead but only now, post-MeToo, are we finally seeing more women being asked to direct feature films. big.

“It really feels like a long, painful road from where she started,” Cumberbatch admits. “But… she inspired people along the way.

“It’s like mental health, you know, these things are still a stigma. There’s still something to talk about, to address, to write, to help and until there’s equal pay. each other, a foothold, equally on entire boards of all kinds, we still have to have that conversation.”

Campion implemented some unconventional methods to help Cumberbatch get into the character, including hiring someone to do what he describes as “deep work” using dreams.

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“In addition to Jane’s book and screenplay, we actually did some dream analysis together, which is like putting a little oil in the water of your subconscious to push things up from the depths and See what’s in the deepest part of your soul, to see what you can do to connect with the character. That’s amazing, it’s little known, and great stuff.”

It was a stinging performance that Campion drew from the actor and a performance that certainly required him to go further.

Cumberbatch was so “so immersed” in his character that he suffered from nicotine poisoning three times from smoking too much on set. He also had to learn how to play the banjo and be more ruthless than castrate bulls.

The acting method requires a strong stomach – but may only pay off next awards season.

Power Of The Dog hits theaters now and on Netflix in the UK from December 1