Christoph Waltz: Comedy is not as hard as being an actor-director | London Evening Standard

Christoph Waltz: Comedy is not as hard as being an actor-directorWaltz said it wasn't the “best idea” to step behind the camera

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Christoph Waltz has said he finds comedy a challenge — but not as much as directing and acting on the same film.

The actor, 61, was behind the camera as well as in front of it for his directorial debut Georgetown, in which he stars opposite Vanessa Redgrave.

The movie, currently in post-production, is about a social climber in Washington DC, inspired by the real-life case of Albrecht Muth, who was convicted of murdering his rich, much older wife.

Waltz told the Standard: “I was in front and behind at the same time. Not the best idea.”

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Waltz, who played the villainous Blofeld in Bond film Spectre, was speaking to promote his new film, Downsizing, in which he stars as a Serbian playboy who opts to be shrunk to five inches tall to help solve over-population.

He said comedy has its challenges as actors can overdo it at the expense of the film’s message. He said: “It’s more challenging… because that’s the pinnacle of the art to not disregard the depth or overdo the comedy at the expense of the deeper meaning.”

Shrinking: Christoph Waltz as party-loving Dusan Mirkovic and Matt Damon as Paul Safranek

Dispelling any comparisons to Disney's Honey I Shrunk the Kids he said: “The difference is the shrinking here happens on purpose. It is scientifically founded and the intention is more than honourable.

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“I admire people who can tell profound stories in a light and amusing manner because if you want people to pay attention it’s a fabulous vehicle to tell that in a light comedy form. And Alexander [Payne] really, really mastered this extraordinary feat.”

Waltz said he wouldn’t be keen to shrink like his character in Downsizing as “it would be useless because I’d still have a big mouth”.

Directed by Alexander Payne, the film also stars Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig and Hong Chau.

Downsizing is slated for UK cinema release on January 24.