I wanted to propose a character that was minimalist, total control. Because I thought that’s the best way to serve the Section. I wanted to build a character-- because in the Section you have two choices; you die or you live. That’s the choice you have. You decide to do it; they want you to do it or you die. And I think Michael finds it too easy just to die. He’s a perfectionist. So he decides to live. And since he decides to live, all he’s got left is his job. So he decides to do it as best he can. Not out of pride; just because that’s all he’s got left. And just--that’s it.
So for me to do the best job in the Section is to be completely emotionless; not showing anybody who you really are. So that they don’t see any weaknesses in you. And it’s also a way of being honest in front of everybody...in the sense that when you look at Michael, you know that you’re nothing to him. And that’s how he controls his people too. But--I decided to take away every gesture, every natural normal gesture we usually use to give life to a character. Because I wanted economy of movement, and because he is also a martial arts expert, so he doesn’t move without a reason...and as for the non-verbal stuff, it is the eyes. That’s the only door I give him...and sometimes the body. I just go every day, every scene.
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