CBS Films
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By Greta Lawson
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“It’s really charming and winning. And I think ultimately it’s about the impossible being made possible.” ‘Charming’ and ‘winning’ are two words most wouldn’t associate with fishing and the Arabic coast, but it’s how British screen actress Emily Blunt is describing her new film ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’.
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The English rose’s own finesse has seen her nab roles in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ and the 2009 period drama ‘The Young Victoria’ where she quickly gained popularity from stand-out performances. And although the 29-year-old is now Hollywood-based with actor husband ‘The Office’s’ John Krasinski, she still has the x-factor and British charm which sets her apart from the locals.

The political, romantic comedy-drama is based on a novel penned by Paul Torday, where Blunt plays a London investment manager who is assigned the task of introducing salmon fishing to the parched valleys of the Yemen. She sat down with us to share what it was about this project, apart from Ewan McGregor, which drew her to getting muddy and waist deep amongst thousands of spawning salmon.
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So at first look the film looks like a somewhat odd mix of fish and romance. But it turns out to be quite interesting. Would you agree?
EMILY BLUNT: Yes, I would agree. I think it, I think it’s an odd cacophony of things. But it’s really charming and winning. And I think ultimately it’s about the impossible being made possible. And when it comes to love and when it comes to this existential dream of salmon fishing in the dessert. You know, I think there’s something very hopeful about the whole story.
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So what attracted you to the project in the first place?
Well, I thought the idea was really unusual. And I loved the writing. I just loved the script. And I thought it was really unique. And I think, you know, you read a lot of generics and materials, so when you come across something that leaps out of the, out of the crowd it’s always refreshing and a definite incentive to wanting to do it.
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There was a highly renowned crew working on the film with the likes of the screenwriter from ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and the director of ‘Chocolat.’ What edge do you think that has given the film?
I think when you have people as experienced and talented as the screenwriter and Lasse Hallstrom, it’s makes everyone on set breathe a sign of relief that you feel like you’re in good hands. And you’re in competent hands. And just very experienced. And Lasse it’s wonderful that he’s not British in this rather essentially British film, because he adds a different sensibility. A European sensibility that’s got something quite quirky and charming about it. And I think he loves this story and he loves these characters. And he’s a really inventive kind of guy. And I loved working with Lasse. I would love do it again.
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So instead of filming in Yemen, you guys filmed in Morocco. What was that like?
Morocco was beautiful and really, it was really exciting being there. I loved it. We were sipping coffee out of these little mugs in this Bedouin tent. And you know, but you’re in some kind of desert Netherland. It was so cool. I loved it.
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Your set was swept away and ripped apart a couple of times. Which is quite uncanny because it’s almost similar to in the film, when you guys suffered all of that. So what happened?
Well, I think there had been some bad weather and some flooding. And lots of rain, and so the set just kept getting annihilated. We were supposed to have this pristine set at the beginning of our Moroccan shoot. And in the end we had to flip flop the schedule and shoot the decimated set at the beginning of the shoot. So because it had decimated the day before we got there. And then over a weekend this incredible crew just put the whole thing back together. And then the, we were blessed with the weather after that, thank God.
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This film’s quite a mix of a few different genres, which has given it an edge. Do you feel like films these days have to be out of the box to be popular?
I think people like to compartmentalize these genres. I think the best thing to do with a genre is not to conform to, you’re staying inside the box. I think it’s really good to stretch it around. I think it’s good to use the genre in a way as a starting point and then kind of do what you want with it. Because that’s what makes films exciting. I think if you conform to some, you know, prerequisite I think that that’s the fact, that that could be a downfall of the film.
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This film’s quite a mix of a few different genres, which has given it an edge. Do you feel like films these days have to be out of the box to be popular?
I think people like to compartmentalize these genres. I think the best thing to do with a genre is not to conform to, you’re staying inside the box. I think it’s really good to stretch it around. I think it’s good to use the genre in a way as a starting point and then kind of do what you want with it. Because that’s what makes films exciting. I think if you conform to some, you know, prerequisite I think that that’s the fact, that that could be a downfall of the film.
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Walking out of the film we felt a real attachment to Ewan McGregor’s character. What was it like working with him?
Well, he’s handsome, you know. And because Ewan is, Ewan is just is one of these people who has no ego and he’s really open and funny and smart. And I think that he makes really brave choices and he’s not afraid of looking silly or looking vulnerable. What’s come out of it is probably one of the best things that he’s done.
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You’ve chosen to work amongst a variety of characters and genres in your career so far. What did the experience of playing this particular character and being in this film give you that’s new?
I think it was really lovely to play someone who was a bit less sure of herself. Someone who was very, very good-natured and hopeful and persevering as a person. I think that’s what I really enjoyed about her character, is she had something bubbly and there was something bubbly and smart about her.
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Blunt is a meticulous worker and with three films in post-production this year, she says although it’s at times overwhelming, she won’t be putting her feet up anytime soon. The actress intends to carefully pick her next projects so she’s part of something she’s passionate about. ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’ is due in theaters March 9th.