'She is, in fact, one of the great actors of our cinematic age'

We’re about to enter Oscars season, which usually produces a few standout speeches. I loved this one from Ralph Fiennes, delivered as a tribute to Isabella Rossellini.

The event was the European Film Awards and Fiennes presented his Conclave co-star with an Achievement in World Cinema gong in Lucerne at the start of December.

Fiennes hits a few lovely notes in this one. He kicks things off with a solid adult movie gag, and it’s particularly appealing hearing ‘pornographic films’ said the Ralph Fiennes way.

But the glory of this speech is not its comedy but it’s sheer loveliness. This is Fiennes talking about the art of great acting:

It was an extraordinary thing to witness the work of, and I might as well say it, Isabella, to witness her work close up, the lightness of touch, the ease, the circling of a take, and then landing in it with complete assurance.

Her voice is extraordinary.

It gently carries great levels of meaning and expression.

Her eyes carry worlds of meaning, but she allows the meaning to travel beyond her face to touch our hearts.

There is no acting. It is simply being. existing within the text and the moment that she has been given.

I think everyone who worked with her on Conclave felt this extraordinary magnetic flow, this current of expression, the perfect expression of an actor in front of a camera.

It’s definitely worth a listen and a watch.

Here are some Oscars speeches from an earlier newsletter.

The Fiennes speech was spotted and recommended by the great Melbourne sports journalist, and food writer, Geoff Slattery. Slatts published two of my books (1989: The Great Grand Final and ‘Australia United’). I really rely on people telling me about excellent speeches,, so never be shy getting in touch.

The ‘work’ element for me is often creating a transcript, and creating the speech page, which takes time and effort. If you support me in this endeavour, it really means a lot. Thank you. If you’re a regular reader and sharer (or even a post liker) thank you too!

Here is the transcript I created for this one:

Ralph Fiennes: 'She carries grace', European Achievement in World Cinema Award for Isabella Rossellini - 2024

9 December 2024, European Film Awards, Lucerne, Switzerland