Actress Rachel Weisz recently appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show to discuss her role in the critically acclaimed film “The Constant Gardener.” The talk show host, Ellen Degeneres, kicked off the conversation by mentioning that James Denton, another guest on the show, had vowed to take off his pants later. Weisz joked about eagerly anticipating this moment.
Degeneres then congratulated Weisz on the success and Oscar buzz surrounding “The Constant Gardener.” Weisz expressed her excitement, mentioning that her friends had seen the movie and praised it as incredible. The film was shot in Kenya, specifically in a slum called Kabira. Weisz emphasized the extreme poverty she witnessed there, with one million people living without basic amenities like running water, electricity, or sanitation.
Despite the challenging conditions, Weisz marveled at the indomitable spirit of the people in Kabira. She described how even amidst poverty, there were barber shops, little bars, songs, dances, and children full of curiosity. Weisz’s character in the film is an aid worker and activist, allowing her to experience a level of poverty she had never seen before. Nevertheless, she was struck by the warmth and incredible spirit of the community.
After filming in the slum, Weisz and the production team headed to the remote bush region of Lo Galani. In this area, which she described as belonging to giraffes and lions, they set up a tented city. Weisz shared how they lived in tents, using a small toilet and shower with limited facilities. She expressed her enthusiasm for the adventure, which was her first camping experience.
Degeneres asked if they ever heard lions at night, to which Weisz replied that fires were lit to keep animals away. She humorously acknowledged that as actors, they were not necessarily experts in safeguarding against wild animals.
The conversation then took a comical turn when Weisz mentioned that she had fractured her tibial plateau while jogging in New York City. She had been daydreaming about becoming a more athletic person and decided to increase her running duration. Unfortunately, her plans were interrupted when she tripped and broke her leg. Thinking she needed a credit card to go to the hospital in the United States, she hopped home to grab her Visa card in intense pain. Weisz later discovered that one can go to an American hospital without a credit card.
Despite the injury and subsequent months on crutches, Weisz took everything in stride. Degeneres praised her resilience and remarked how unpredictable life can be.
Weisz concluded the interview by expressing her gratitude for being on the show and her excitement for the success of “The Constant Gardener.” The audience learned that she wouldn’t miss James Denton‘s pants-off moment, eagerly waiting for it alongside Ellen Degeneres and the rest of the audience. The episode aired on September 22, 2005.
In summary, Rachel Weisz‘s appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show provided viewers with insight into her experiences filming “The Constant Gardener” in a Kenyan slum and a remote bush region. She shared stories of extreme poverty, remarkable human spirit, and her unexpected leg injury while jogging in New York City. Despite the challenges, Weisz maintained a positive outlook and expressed her excitement for the film’s success.
Originally aired on September 22, 2005