Tilda Swinton Draws Unusual Inspiration from a Donkey in Bresson’s Classic Film

Renowned actress Tilda Swinton has once again highlighted her unique approach to the craft of acting by citing an extraordinary source of inspiration. In a departure from the common practice of citing legendary human actors, Swinton has declared a donkey from Robert Bresson’s 1966 film, “Au hasard Balthazar,” as her greatest influence.

Swinton, known for her transformative performances, expressed her admiration for the titular donkey, Balthazar, describing the animal’s performance as transformative. The actress stated, “The best performance I have ever seen and continues to be an inspiration for me is a donkey in a great film by Robert Bresson called Au Hasard Balthazar,” in a previous interview. She elaborated on the compelling presence of the animal, explaining, “You just can’t stop looking at the donkey, and there are all the humans around, and you go, ‘Get out of the way. I want to look at the donkey.'”

It is not uncommon for actors to derive inspiration from unconventional sources; however, Swinton’s choice is particularly notable within the industry. While many look to cinema greats like Marlon Brando or Meryl Streep, Swinton focused on the nuanced and natural performance of Balthazar, potentially highlighting her appreciation for authenticity and emotional truth in performance.

The film, “Au hasard Balthazar,” centers around a donkey and the farm girl Marie, played by Anne Wiazemsky, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of rural life. Despite the film’s human elements and narrative, Swinton remained captivated by the donkey’s screen presence, noting its power and stillness as central to its acting prowess.

Swinton has indicated that no matter how deep her character portrayals go, she would not attempt to voice or emulate a donkey in an animated context, given the respect and pressure she feels towards Balthazar’s nonchalant yet potent performance. Swinton mused, “That donkey gives, in my opinion, the preeminent film performance.”