In conversation with... Jodie Foster, on The Silence of the Lambs | BFI 

No one could have played Clarice better than Jodi Foster. Period.

Jodie is amazing but the interviewer does a great job in asking the right questions and not stomping on her answers. Very enjoyable interview.

It's nice to see a woman aging naturally in Hollywood, rare these days. Such a fantastic actress and a great conversation.

In this interview, Foster's intelligence just sparkles. What a sharp, insightful mind.

Jodie Foster is one of the greatest actresses of our age. On screen you don’t see Foster, just the character, Sarah Tobias and Clarice Starling are so completely different people yet you can’t see any Josie Foster in either, she completely becomes the character. From Iris to Jean Thomas she has played so many parts but has completely become each one.

Jodie is something to behold, such eloquence,awareness of her words and sooo succinct. I could watch silence of the lamb every month or two and still be riveted to my seat.

She’s a genius. She would’ve been outstanding in whatever career field she chose. I’m glad she chose acting. Her confidence and natural beauty give charisma.

Could listen to her talk all day.

I could never imagine Michelle Pffeiffer as Clarice Starling, Demme's first choice. This was Jodie's role. The role of her career.

This woman and her razor sharp intelligence

Jodie Foster always had a commanding presence in all her films and by this interview in real life, too. Fantastic interview!!

Glad she did this... The world is much more interesting with her in it...

I was seventeen when it was released and I went to see it with my mother. She left us eleven years ago. Nice memories 🌹❤️

I watched Silence of the Lambs for the first time today and thank you so much for uploading this. I learned a lot. I was a toddler when this came out so I've always known about it in pop culture but never seen it. The intersections between the actors progression of their career and the roles they play are really interesting to me. Jodi saying she wanted to make silence of the lambs after reading it then found out it was already being made and lobbied for the role. "I had just won an oscar...you know. Maybe I can make this". So I look up what oscar she won before that, on my birth year in 1989 a movie called "The Accused" I had never heard of. She said how it was really important for her to be in a role with a character with agency because in her career up until that point she was always acted upon, and she says it would be remiss to not say that's the history of women. But I find that very important. That she won her oscar for a leading role in The Accused about a woman who was a victim of rape then went on to lobby to be in a movie as a hero to save a woman. I find that really poignant and powerful.

Jodie is iconic. Yet so humble.

She's insanely gorgeous.

Jodie Foster is an actor of exceptional talent, depth and beauty who was always ahead of her peers, by the time actors of her age were in their diapers she was making commercials, by the time they learned to speak, she was making movies for Disney, by the time they starting going to the school, she was winning awards and getting nominated for the Oscars, by the time they decided to enter films, Jodie decided to leave it behind and enjoy the ivy league world which she graduated with magna cum laude, by the time her peers had their breakthrough she already had won two Oscars and transitioned to the director's chair. An extraordinary talent, who's contribution to cinema is unparalleled and exquisite. A sheer gift to the world of acting and filmmaking

I grew up with this actress. from Candleshoe to Anna and the King . An astonishing actress ❤❤❤

What a talent! I love the perspective and intelligence she brings to every level of her work.

Contact is brilliant on so many levels and for so many reasons. It is utterly profound; and my favorite movie ever.

I recently read the book for the first time after having seen the movie probably 20 times or so. It's astonishing how much of the book is actually in the film. Very, very little is left out. Easily my favourite Oscar winning film ever, and of course, Foster's and Hopkins' roles are a huge part of that.

This woman is a true artist. Pure genius.

Lambs in a movie theatre is a WHOLE different experience. Tak Fujomotos incredible photography never got the credit it deserved.

She is aging very well. Such a classy woman.

Jodie was referring to Michelle Pfeiffer as the first pick for the role of Clarice.

I love Jodie Foster, my all time favourite actor. I have such a great respect for her she puts everything into her passion which is acting and directing. She shines through her passion it’s so phenomenal. She’s such a unique actor who really cares so much about her role as the character. It’s so special. This interview was incredible I love to listen to her.

An awesome interview. Great questions. Enjoyed every moment of it. I have seen Jodie Foster on screen since the early 70's. She has always mesmerized me. I was so happy for her Oscar wins. So talented and genuine. A treasure.

She's always been a highly intelligent, interesting person to listen to. I watched her on Letterman once and she was really funny as well, extremely talented individual.

The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane is the movie I first saw you in, Jodie. You are such a great leading lady and character actress. Congratulations for your brilliant career and your beautiful life.

I love listening to her. She’s so intelligent and articulate. I especially love listening to her discuss film. She’s so much more layered with depth than other actors talking about it. Michelle Pfeiffer was the Directors first choice as she acted for him in Married to the Mob and knew what she could do. She turned it down. Then they went to Meg Ryan who also turned it down. Jodie popped up after that and got it. They all would’ve been good though.

That accent she is so desperately trying to hide! Pure West Virginia!

EASILY my favorite movie of all time. Period

I have watched Jodie Foster since she was a child actress. She did a great job acting in Taxi Driver.

What an articulate and intelligent person she is. A real pleasure to listen to. Respect.

Enjoyed this immensely, thank you for uploading. Without a doubt, Jodie Foster is one of the most highly intelligent person's I have seen, always respect her as a great actor. She sure has come into her own since her beginning's In Disney movie roles.

Gosh, she's so inspiring, I love her! So talented and intelligent!

She's incredibly grounded.

She is one of the true greats! And so humble she just doesn’t come across like a Hollywood person, if that makes sense?! She’s so engaging in interview

It's a shame Jodie has slowed down her acting career, she's an absolute legend and one of all-time greats, her cerebral approach to acting is something that makes her stand out, I hope she returns back to acting (especially after seeing the brilliant The Mauritanian) in a bang on way, like Frances McDormand has been doing in the past couple of years, its a shame Jodie hasn't been nominated for an Oscar since 95, she's one of those actors who deserve to win 3 Awards

Such an amazing actress and so beautiful inside and out. and i love the fact that all her roles are very inspiring Her characters always have so much depth and very complex and they always teach you something or bring out something within you. She's never on screen just to be on screen and look "pretty" She represents real people with real flaws and real demons in her roles. Such an inspiration !

I so want Jodie to win a 3rd Oscar or get another nomination

I know this is why none of us are here, but Bowman is a fantastic interviewer. More of her please!

She is a great actress/actor. Also great in The Brave One

Thank you for brining this interview for us. Jodie Foster is amazing, an inspiration

I keep rewatching this film.EPIC and it was the first ever Thriller nominated for an Oscar but its Genius directing and acting and OF COURSE awesome Script

A true star, captivating in performance and as herself

Hannibal wasn´t a real sequel without Jodie.

Love the way she says "Lecter"

There never has been, and there never will be, another insanely unique talent like Jodie Foster. I’d kill to have her polished skill and self control.

I know she’s picky about her roles so I am always so grateful when she does a new one because she’s like a rare gem. She’s one of those actors you hardly ever see anymore that 100% lives their roles and creates something amazing every time. I know it’s pretty recent but man I loved her as Delacourt in Elysium, such a scene stealer!

Legendary film, the acting, the script, the casting, the cinematography... such a bloody CLASSIC.

First movie I remember her in was Freaky Friday. Saw Accused and was so moved by it and cheered her on as she won her Oscar. Love SOTL and oddly enough, the 2004 film Flight Plan. If you haven't heard her speak French, look it up - beautiful.

Jonathan Demme had Michelle Pfeiffer in mind, specially after their collaboration on the amazing "Married To The Mob" had paid off so well. Author Thomas Harris's description of Starling as "an icy sunset of a girl" suited Pfeiffer better back then. Of course, can't think of anyone but Jodie in the role now.

I don't know who the other actress was that was to play Clarice, but it's impossible (for me anyway) to think of anyone else in that role.

Anthony Hopkins was so good.

Amazing, accomplished woman. She's classy, smart, funny, and a spectacular actress.

Great to see a true beauty.Shes a hard working lady. Down to earth also.

Nobody could played Clarice, or Lecter or Bufallo Bill better than the guys who finally did it, absolutly amazing performances

This woman is by far one the GREATEST actors and director of all time. She has such humility and such genuineness. Love love this woman!!! 👏💖👏💖👏💖👏

Three years ago (2021) and Jodie had hired an actor over Skype, recognized that narrative was on the small screen and an uncomfortable 'transition' period of Hollywood had begun. This interview is a treasure.

You are both impressive individuals. Great questions, and wonderful thoughtful responses. Thank you for sharing

Clarice was it for me. I’ve watched the movie many times. Appreciate the film more after listening to Jodie. Foster is brilliant!

I could listen to Jodie Foster talk all day every day

I love Jodie so much, she's brilliant :-)

Ageing gracefully. She has obviously taken care of herself mentally & physically.Humble intelligent & beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Good for you Jodie😊

How delightful to hear an intelligent woman speak. And what talent! It sounded like she had to bring out the entire performance from within herself (in Silence of the Lambs).

I just read the history on this film. To say Jodie was not the first choice is an understatement.

Professional, brilliant, and one of my favorite Artists...❤

She is so fascinating to listen to, impossible not to watch the whole interview!

I love Jodie. I can't think about Silence of the Lambs without also thinking about Seven. I love both. I've always wondered if the genesis for Seven had already begun pre-Silence, or if it came about in an attempt to ride the "serial killer" wave after the success of Silence. Anyway, both are amazing.

Great film chat with an actress and director who always brings the A game

I saw this in the movies, May 1991, back when hit movies stayed on the big screens for months. Anyway the LOML took me, one of our first dates, so not only was it a wonderful movie/it will always be my favorite memory. RIP KK. ❤️

Omgosh she's talking about "NELL" I absolutely loved this movie🎊🎉

Thank you BFI for making this possible. Next up please invite David Lynch .

Jodie Forster seems to me to be a brilliant actor and director. She comes across as being so intelligent, yet grounded and aware of reality, rather than being a Hollywood product. I also think Edith Bowman did a brilliant job of showing us who Jodie Foster really is, by asking the right questions.

Jodi Foster is a super star and intellectual. Hands down.

ALL TIME FAVE actress #downtoEarth

She's so amazing - I watch Silence all the time :)

A very good interview. She is as beautiful as she is intelligent.❤

I've watched all the Thomas Harris films many times. ....Just read Silence of the lambs the book. It's amazing.

You know actors who play interesting characters but come across vacuous in interviews? I love how Jodie Foster is the opposite of that.

Jodie was in loads of kids films i watched when i was a kid. She has always been a great actress. We're the same age

There's a reason I love Silence of The Lambs so much and hate Hannibal so much, because Jodie Foster and the quality of the script/story was gone. Jodie made that first movie, Clarice was such an interesting female lead and I wish more films would channel the energy Jodie bought to it. She wasn't a cliche strong female character, she was just as iconic as Lecter/Anthony.

Wow, interesting to hear why they wanted to have a British actor for Lector!! I love this film, both Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are so intense and amazing.

Jodie Foster. In Silence of the Lambs, your eyes marveled me.

fantastic interview!

Jodie rarely talks politics in interviews and she comes closer in this interview to talking politics, in a subtle way, than I think I’ve ever seen.

Jodie Foster est une actrice au talent, à la profondeur et à la beauté exceptionnels qui a toujours été en avance sur ses pairs, au moment où les acteurs de son âge étaient dans leurs couches, elle faisait des publicités, au moment où ils ont appris à parler, elle faisait des films pour Disney , au moment où ils ont commencé à aller à l'école, elle remportait des prix et était nominée aux Oscars, au moment où ils ont décidé de participer aux films, Jodie a décidé de le laisser derrière elle et de profiter du monde de la ligue de lierre dont elle a obtenu son diplôme avec magna cum laude , au moment où ses pairs ont fait leur percée, elle avait déjà remporté deux Oscars et est passée au fauteuil de réalisateur. Un talent extraordinaire, dont la contribution au cinéma est inégalée et exquise. Un pur cadeau pour le monde du théâtre et du cinéma

Amazing facts about silence of the lambs...

I saw it in the theater!

What a super interesting individual. Thanks for sharing 👍

Love Jodie Foster....I have been a fan from the beginning..she truly is a legend

My grandfather, Ronald told me all about that so back when you have a radio transmission go over the old radios were talking about at the end of the world. That’s when the big mothership showed up in the black-and-white photos with a spotlights.

If we had the chance to talk to you when you were young we'd have realised how stronger you are. Thank you, madame.

One of the greats! To my mind, she's got the best filmography in recent Hollywood. Brilliant in every way.

I would have loved to have seen this in the theatre! I think I was 9 or 10 when it came out tho 🤷🏻‍♀️

She hasn't changed much at all in 27 years. Looks like no plastic surgery either.

This interviewer could have asked better questions too. Foster’s answer to what Starling meant for her is very interesting.

I absolutely love her! ♥

I saw it in a dollar theater in ABQ NM when I was 12 or 13.