interview by OK! Indonesia
Although The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has aired late last year, the character of the handsome Finnick Odair is still remembered clearly. Sam Claflin is the British actor who played the character of Finnick, and will return to play him in the next two Hunger Games chapters, Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. Last year you've been part of Snow White [and the Huntsman] and now you are in The Hunger Games. How it is like? I'm busy, but I have a lot of fun, because The Hunger Games are as interesting as Snow White. Moreover, because we know that after Catching Fire we will continue with Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2, I am very lucky to be included. It was like a dream come true, that I have a job that is getting better and better. Do you ever think that your career may stop rising anytime? What do you do to maintain it? It's not easy working as an actor in big-budget films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White, and now The Hunger Games. I try to not get lazy. So every time there is chance, I join an independent film. A movie in which I can wear normal clothes and not have to wear a wig. Through the variety of roles, I wish to not be known out there just as Finnick Odair. I want people to see that I can do different things. So now you are also working on low-cost films? Yes. Independent projects are challenges. The characters offered are different. In the film industry, our ability to keep pace with big actors and actresses who act with us is very important. If I continue to play in major films as a supporting actor, my acting skills have to develop. So it is important to practice through small cost films where I have the opportunity to play the main character. So I can continue to challenge myself playing difficult characters, which will help me when I'm acting in big-budget films. How do you balance things between acting on set and off set? For example, take Jennifer Lawrence. She managed to balance personal life, social life, and work. She is one of the few lucky people who can so get into character in an instant and be herself right after. Nah, compared to her and a few other stars who I've known filming The Hunger Games, who likes to joke and play around, I feel like a child just starting. During filming I had to get from joking to crying in a matter of seconds, and then again after the director says cut. Is it hard to portray Finnick who speaks with an American accent? I'd like to think it is not difficult, especially considering I was not required to take accents courses. But there are moments when they commented, "What you just said sounded British." I use an American accent only on the set, and outside that, I talk normally - with a British accent. So what are the challenges portraying Finnick? It's been more of a physical challenge. When I was cast as Finnick, many Hunger Games fans commented: "He's fat! He's ugly!" So I started a fitness program to get a fit body, hoping to look more like the image they had of Finnick Odair. Have you read the three books of The Hunger Games? Yes, but to be honest when I joined the audition process, I had not read the books yet. I didn't even know the film was an adaptation of a book. I watched the first movie and loved it. When I received the Catching Fire spript, I saw the name Katniss on it and I thought: "Hey, I know that name." I finally looked it up on the internet the night before the audition, and I was aware that I coudn't read the three books of the Hunger Games in one night. So I went to Wikipedia to find out as much information as possible. I was lucky to be called again after the first audition. That time, I was ready, since I devoured the Hunger Games books in five days. You said the fans commented on you being too ugly to play Finnick. But in all the roles you've played, don't you always are the good-looking guy? And what you usually see in the mirror? Difficult question. I am used to linger in front of the mirror. I do not even joke that I say I don't like my face. I think, like most people, we spend the time in front of the mirror to criticize yourself, "Gosh, ugly, I should not be like this, What is this brown stain?" I do not really like to see a photo of myself. But I do not mind seeing myself on the big screen because I can argue, "It's not me, but the character I play." Moreover, watching myself in a movie I can observe, correct the mistakes I made. So I do wonder why I am casted as the handsome guy. What's your perception of "pretty" or "beautiful"? Beauty and handsomeness are a bonus for those who are lucky to have them, but in my eyes kindness, generosity, and sense of humor are the qualities that make you beautiful. It sounds cliché but I really think if you are kind, you will be loved. And the best thing about the Hunger Games audition was sitting down together with Francis [Lawrence] and talk about Finnick's personality, that is way more that a matter of appearance. And I'm sure my conversation with Francis was the one that made me get the role of Finnick.
